This Isn’t The Best Course Of Action For Medication Disposal That is Why While The FDA Has And Still Recommends Flushing Certain Medications Depending On The State.
It is important to take stock of the drugs in your home иecause medicines are commonly found in medicine cabinets, on top of dressers, in kitchen cabinets, and in other accessible locations. If you have unwanted or expired prescriptions, you should dispose of them in order to keep your home safe. This reduces the chance that others may accidentally take or intentionally misuse the unneeded medicine.
Pharmaceutical waste management is a long and difficult topic that falls within the hub of hazardous waste management. Scientists implemented many studies in the U.S. and revealed pharmaceutical compounds in both surface and ground waters. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ruling “Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals,” while is precise to healthcare facilities. This is a good launching pad for home disposal.
Back in 2000, a U.S. Geological Survey found perceptible amounts of one or more medications in 80% of water samples drawn from a network of 139 streams in 30 states. The rule was designed to make drinking water safer and healthier by reducing pharmaceuticals in waterways. Those statistics are pretty alarming.
While the FDA has and still indorses flushing certain medications depending on the state, this isn’t the best course of action for medication disposal. Putting unexploited medications down the drain or flushing them down the toilet may expose drinking water to the chemicals. As our current sewage treatment systems are not effective in removing all drugs from waterways this can cause ecological harm.
It is important to separate pharmaceutical waste just like we segregate medical waste. It is best to speak with a medical waste removal company about unused and unwanted medication disposal rather than gamble with the environment and the health of our communities.