According to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, adding chemicals to the environment
is a concern. Yet PPCPs, or Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care
Products as Pollutants, are generally overlooked as chemical toxins.
PPCPs comprise a diverse collection of thousands of
chemical substances, including prescription and over-the-counter
drugs, veterinary drugs, fragrances, lotions and cosmetics. They are
found throughout the environment. But their presence —
pharmaceuticals especially — in our nation’s waterways is causing
alarm.
In 2007, in addition to antibiotics and steroids,
more than 100 individual PPCPs were found in environmental samples
and drinking water. Despite the low concentration of chemicals
found, these pollutants have sparked concern because their risks are
largely unstudied in humans, animals and aquatic life. Given this
uncertainty, it is not surprising that state action has focused on
developing programs for the proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Maine is considered a leader in these efforts. In
2003, it was the first state to put in place a consumer drug
take-back program. However, funding for the initiative was delayed
until 2007, when the state passed legislation (LD 411) to fund a
pilot program to be run by the state’s Drug Enforcement Agency.
California’s SB 966, signed into law in October
2007, calls for the creation of a model pharmaceutical disposal
program and for waste management officials to explore the
feasibility of a statewide program.
In the Midwest, Iowa passed legislation in
2007 (SF 579) creating a pilot project for pharmaceutical collection
and disposal in a 15-county region in the Des Moines area. This
year, Wisconsin launched a 6-month-long mail-back pilot
program in two counties. Under the Wisconsin Old Medicines Mail Back
Pilot, pharmacy customers are given a toll-free number to call to
receive a prepaid shipping label and packing materials to return
leftover drugs. In Illinois, legislation has been introduced
(HB 2277) calling on state agencies to develop programs for the safe
disposal of prescription drugs.
Other states with bills to create pharmaceutical
consumer take-back or other disposal programs include Massachusetts
(HB 2182), New York (A 840), Pennsylvania (HB 2073) and Washington
(HB 2600).
