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Editorial: Medicine in the water  

No wonder, then, that people are troubled by a recent Associated Press investigation that showed this and other analgesics mingling in America's water supply. The AP surveyed dozens of metropolitan areas and their watersheds and found acetaminophen and aspirin, along with amoxicillin, atorvastatin, atenolol and azithromycin.

And those are just the A's. . . .

On the outtake end, the EPA should mandate that wastewater plants at minimum screen for caffeine and nicotine, which indicate the presence of other drugs. Have them test wastewater sludge, too.

Meanwhile, there's not much people can do about excreted medications, but the people should forget the old advice about putting unused meds down toilets and sinks. Take them back to the pharmacy.

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