Fish ingesting pharmaceuticals

Residues of many medicines, including those used to treat high cholesterol, allergies, high blood pressure, bipolar disorder and depression, were found in fish caught near wastewater plants serving 5 major US cities.

Researchers reported this finding on March 25, the Associated Press said.

The results of the research are not surprising. A year ago, the Associated Press had found that trace amounts of pharmaceuticals were floating around in the nation's water supply. Of course some of it was going to end up in fish.

Medicines get into the water after they pass through our bodies and are not fully neutralized in wastewater treatment plants, and when we simply flush them down the toilet.

In either case, fish suffer.

The EPA provides some advice on discarding needles, syringes and lancets, but I could not find any information on its site about how to get rid of medicines. A pharmacist told me to just toss them in the trash.

At least then they won't be eaten by the fishies.