Student Choice #4, Multiple Perspective Free Write, and Introductions

Student Choice #4

http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/pharmawater_site/

This web site give a full description of a 5 month long Associated Press investigation into pharmaceutical contamination in treated drinking water. The question asked by the contributing writers was; Are treated drinking water sources contaminated with pharmaceuticals, if so how widespread is the contamination, and what are the health risks posed to humans. The evidence presented was quite startling, the AP conducted testing across the U.S. and found that many metropolitan area tap water had low levels of pharmaceutical contamination. This contamination affected approximately 40 million people. This investigation consisted of many articles which were written for a general public audience. The conclusion was that the EPA has no standards set for minimum safe levels of such contaminates nor is there any requirement to test for such compounds. Such standards and testing requirements need to be mandated by the Federal Government.

I believe, after having reviewed many articles on the subject, that the assertions to be accurate. I also believe that the large amount of evidence collected in this investigation to be convincing and useful. However, due to the number of articles, writers and information collected I am not certain what I will end up using, so I have given the web site where the information is made available and I will cite the specific author and articles used in my final paper.

Multiple Perspective Free Write

Perspective #1: A resident using public water supplies contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

I am very concerned for my personal health and the health of my family. A family has no alternative but to use municipal water supplies. We could buy bottled water but even that I heard is not safe from these type of contaminates. How can I feel good about letting my child bath in water that could have drugs in it, especially if the effects on human health are not known.

Perspective #2: Persons in charge of ensuring safe drinking water on a local level

It is difficult to feel like you are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the water when the proper resources are not at your disposal. Technology to test for such trace amount of pharmaceuticals and other similar compounds was only developed
10 or so years ago by the USGS. It is somewhat difficult to do but not nearly as difficult as it is to remove such contaminates once you have determined their presents. Nationwide almost no municipal water treatment plant has the technology to remove such contaminates. I feel the only way things are going to change is if the public starts to put pressure on Federal, State, and local officials to take action.

Perspective #3: Federal EPA Regulator

We are now looking very closely at these emergent contaminates. We are investigating aspects such as risk to human health and risks to wildlife. It is still not known what the effect on human health may be or what synergistic effects the contaminates may have on one another. Given that, it becomes difficult to set national standards.
Cities and Towns across the country are facing budgetary shortfalls this year, if we set a standard prematurely local governments most likely will not be able to abide by such standards due to monetary constraints. We must proceed slowly and deliberately to make sure we get it right.


Introductions

Into #1
Are you tired of pay for birth control for yourself or your partner? Well no need to worry just drink water from your tap. That may sound absolutely ridiculous but in some parts of the country it is not far from the truth.

Intro #2
The first national reconnaissance for contamination of trace amounts of pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical like compounds was performed by USGS scientists in 1999-2000. !39 waterways were tested and most had at least 1 of the 90 chemicals being tested for present. Since then numerous other studies have been completed in many location nationwide and around the world with startling result. An Associated press investigation lasting over 5 months revealed that these types of contaminates are present in various levels in the drinking water of approximately 44 million Americans.

Intro #3
It is illegal and dangerous to take some medications without a prescription but these same drugs are found in drinking water in many parts of the country. The EPA has failed to established any regulation or guidelines in this matter at all. They do not know what health risks these trace contaminates pose or what levels are safe and which may be hazardous.