Paper Outline

The Problem of Pharmaceutical Contamination is Widespread.
- Between 1999 and 2000 A USGS survey tested 139 waterways suspected of being contaminated. Most all of the waterways tested had at least 1 of the 95 contaminates being tested for.
- In a federal study of city drinking water. 24 out of 28 municipal water supplies had these types of contaminates present.
- According to a L.A. Times article waterways around pharmaceutical manufacturers in India are so heavily contaminated that drinking water out of the river is as good as taking Cipro tablets.

The effects of pharmaceutical contamination have been found in wildlife but health risks posed to humans are yet to be determined.
-It has be determined by the USGS that fish are seriously affected by minute amounts of hormones found in rivers and streams, such as fish and amphibians found with both sex organs.
- The has been no conclusive evidence of the effects of such contaminates on human health
- A study investigated the possible connection of high rates of breast cancer on Cape Cod with contaminated water, the study concluded that no connection was observed.

The EPA has set no standards for these types of contaminates.
- According to the AP investigation there has been no min. safe level established.
- The great majority of water treatment plants do not test for pharmaceutical contaminates nor is the technology in place to remove such contaminates if they were detected.