Posted by Larry Hoover on August 15, 2004, at 13:43:21
In reply to Re: It's a friggin hoax! » Larry Hoover, posted by sb417 on August 9, 2004, at 22:23:29
> Thanks for posting that, Larry. Unfortunately, as of tonight, it is still being reported by http://www.reuters.co.uk and other respected news organizations. They need to log onto PB and read your post.
I posted from a vacation situation; I didn't seriously investigate the story until I got home, but I'll summarize my findings for you.
The technical report which seems to be the basis for the Observer/Guardian article that started this whole thing is available online, at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/105385/p601206trv2_578719.pdfThere was no analysis of fluoxetine (Prozac) undertaken for this study. There is not even an accepted method for detecting Prozac in water. The other major consideration is that the study did not assess either drinking water or groundwater. It studied sewage treatment plant outfall, and downstream concentrations in the receiving rivers.
There was no antidepressant detected in the study, and certainly, no Prozac. Prozac is believed to fully biodegrade during the sewage treatment process. Prozac was not even on the list of phamaceutical drugs of concern, which was the whole point of the monitoring exercise. You should see how much ibuprofen goes into the rivers.....but no Prozac, or so it would seem.
Moreover, all water treatment facilities (in the U.K., under the DWI) which draw water from sources which may contain pesticides, routinely employ techniques which would eliminate pharmaceutical drugs from the water as well. So, any community drawing water from a river would automatically be protected, and any community which used groundwater contaminated in any way by man-made chemicals, is similarly protected. I think the safety net thrown around pesticide contamination of drinking water would more than take care of pharmaceutical contamination.
Now, those are rather general conclusions, I will admit, but there is no evidence available which contradicts my statements. I will continue to monitor the scientific press for news on that front. It is precisely this subject which is my area of expertise, in environmental chemistry.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:375248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040811/msgs/377927.html