What Are the Effects of Pharmaceutical Waste on the Environment?
July 10, 2023 | Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal
Pharmaceutical Waste and the Impacts on the Environment
Pharmaceutical waste can have various negative effects on ecosystems when it is not properly managed. The effects of pharmaceutical waste on the environment have been an area of concern and study for several years. Pharmaceutical waste is known to pollute the environment through various means such as human and pet secretion, although this amount may be low compared to improper disposal of medications. For many years, people disposed of outdated or unused medication by throwing in the trash or flushing down the drain. Even medical facilities regularly disposed of pharmaceuticals by flushing.
More attention was given to environmental pollution of pharmaceutical waste with the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, as well as drug disposal regulations set by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the majority of medications known to pollute the environment are from hospitals and long-term care facilities for human consumption, at home users have also been a source of pharmaceutical waste contaminating the environment. A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that 46% of respondents reported disposing of their medications in the household trash, while 31% reported flushing them down the toilet or sink. These disposal methods contribute to the potential environmental harm caused by pharmaceutical waste.
How Does Pharmaceutical Waste Affect Ecosystems?
The effects of pharmaceutical waste on humans is still the topic of many studies. When pharmaceutical waste contaminates the water supply, levels of residue could still be present in drinking water although it may be considered too low to be a concern for humans. Long-term exposure however can occur through contaminated water supplies. The study The environmental side effects of medication reports that “recent monitoring studies have detected low levels of a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including hormones, steroids, antibiotics and parasiticides, in soils, surface waters and groundwaters.”
Here are some ways pharmaceutical waste can impact ecosystems:
- Water contamination. Pharmaceutical residues can enter river, lake, and groundwater systems through improper disposal or when unused medications are flushed down toilets or washed down sinks.
- Disruption of aquatic ecosystems. Pharmaceutical waste can disrupt the balance of behavior, physiology, and growth of the organisms.
- Toxicity to wildlife. Animals that encounter contaminated resources may cause an adverse effect on their health. Endangered species may be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of pharmaceutical waste due to their already small populations.
While drug disposal regulations attempt to address these concerns, we must do better when managing pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical waste. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, veterinary clinics, pharmacies, and any other establishment that prescribes or administers medications and controlled substances must have a clear pharmaceutical waste management policy, including a reliable and compliant method of drug disposal that does not compromise soil and water sources.
Proper Drug Disposal Reduces Environmental Harm
By using Rx Destroyer, pharmaceutical waste is contained and controlled, and the likelihood of accidental spills, leaks, or contamination of the environment is minimized. Rx Destroyer is available for all facility types as well as at home users.
Rx Destroyer Drug Disposal Systems can reduce harm to the environment, see our test data here.
