Prozac 'found in UK drinking water'

[Guest guest]

I know The Pill is in the UK drinking water, because the Thames river is

full of it, as it goes down the toilet and is virtually indestructable. The

Thames water is recycled 5 times apparently. Other medications are also in

the drinking water. N

 

Prozac 'found in drinking water'

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3545684.stm

Many people choose Prozac over other antidepressants

Traces of the antidepressant Prozac can be found in the nation's drinking

water, it has been revealed.

An Environment Agency report suggests so many people are taking the drug

nowadays it is building up in rivers and groundwater.

 

A report in Sunday's Observer says the government's environment watchdog has

discussed the impact for human health.

 

A spokesman for the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) said the Prozac found

was most likely highly diluted.

 

'Alarming'

 

The newspaper says environmentalists are calling for an urgent investigation

into the evidence.

 

It quotes the Liberal Democrats' environment spokesman, Norman Baker MP, as

saying the picture emerging looked like " a case of hidden mass medication

upon the unsuspecting public " .

 

He says: " It is alarming that there is no monitoring of levels of Prozac and

other pharmacy residues in our drinking water. "

 

Experts say the anti-depression drug gets into the rivers and water system

via treated sewage water.

 

Prescriptions increase

 

The DWI said the Prozac was unlikely to pose a health risk as it was so

" watered down " .

 

The Observer says the revelations raise new fears over how many

prescriptions for the drug are given out by doctors.

 

In the decade leading up to 2001, the number of prescriptions for

antidepressants went up from nine million per year to 24 million per year,

says the paper.

 

The Environment Agency report concluded that the Prozac in the water table

could be potentially toxic and said the drug was a " potential concern " .

 

The exact amount of Prozac in the nation's drinking water is not known.

 

 

 

 

 

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SEE ALSO:

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23 Apr 04 | Health

Child warning on anti-depressants

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Anti-depressant advice 'misleading'

12 Feb 02 | Health

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Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Department of Health

The Observer

Environment Agency

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