Idaho not required to test water for drugs
BOISE - Do you know what's in your drinking water? In some states, prescriptions drugs have been found in drinking water systems.
"You were brought up just to believe that everything they have out there is safe," said Boise resident Candice Wichmann.
"I know there are regulations put into place to make sure that we have safe drinking water," said Pete Gregory, another resident.
But the Associated Press discovered what comes from your faucet may not be as safe as first thought.
Its recent investigation found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals like sex hormones, steroids and antibiotics in drinking water supplies throughout the country, including California, Oregon and Nevada.
Idaho isn't on the list not because residents don't have drugs in their water but because the Federal Environmental Protection Agency doesn't require testing for over the counter or prescription drugs.
"This has just not been a priority up to this point," said Jeff Fromm, a toxicologist for the Department of Environmental Quality.
Fromm says Idaho is required to test for 75 regulated chemicals such as nitrate and arsenic, chemicals they know can cause health risks.
"We don't know if there can be adverse health effects from chemicals at these very trace levels," said Fromm.
But he says a big problem is how people get rid of their extra drugs.
"I usually flush them down the toilet, I don't know it that's a bad thing," said Wichmann.
Fromm says that's the worst thing consumers can do because many waste water treatment centers can't break down those drugs. He says the best way to get rid of them is simply tossing them in the trash to ensure what you drink is safe.
Right now the DEQ says they're looking into a program that would help consumers have a place to chuck their old drugs. They say Boise city does take some medications at their landfill, but they're looking to expand that program.
DEQ says it's a joint effort with law enforcement because some prescription drugs are controlled substances.
While researchers say the comprehensive risks of drinking trace levels of prescription drugs in water isn't clear yet, there is evidence that extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceuticals harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species.
"You were brought up just to believe that everything they have out there is safe," said Boise resident Candice Wichmann.
"I know there are regulations put into place to make sure that we have safe drinking water," said Pete Gregory, another resident.
But the Associated Press discovered what comes from your faucet may not be as safe as first thought.
Its recent investigation found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals like sex hormones, steroids and antibiotics in drinking water supplies throughout the country, including California, Oregon and Nevada.
Idaho isn't on the list not because residents don't have drugs in their water but because the Federal Environmental Protection Agency doesn't require testing for over the counter or prescription drugs.
"This has just not been a priority up to this point," said Jeff Fromm, a toxicologist for the Department of Environmental Quality.
Fromm says Idaho is required to test for 75 regulated chemicals such as nitrate and arsenic, chemicals they know can cause health risks.
"We don't know if there can be adverse health effects from chemicals at these very trace levels," said Fromm.
But he says a big problem is how people get rid of their extra drugs.
"I usually flush them down the toilet, I don't know it that's a bad thing," said Wichmann.
Fromm says that's the worst thing consumers can do because many waste water treatment centers can't break down those drugs. He says the best way to get rid of them is simply tossing them in the trash to ensure what you drink is safe.
Right now the DEQ says they're looking into a program that would help consumers have a place to chuck their old drugs. They say Boise city does take some medications at their landfill, but they're looking to expand that program.
DEQ says it's a joint effort with law enforcement because some prescription drugs are controlled substances.
While researchers say the comprehensive risks of drinking trace levels of prescription drugs in water isn't clear yet, there is evidence that extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceuticals harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species.
