WASHINGTON - New Jersey, along with Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania are reported to have trace amounts of a variety of drugs in their drinking water, according to recent Associated Press National Investigation Team findings.Tap water is unregulated, since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not require water utilities to test for these substances, according to news reports.
Some say the report has popped up while a media battle between bottled water vs. tap water is being waged.
The report states that over 41 million Americans have been drinking water with below dosage level amounts of drug residue from either toilet waste or from throwing unused drugs down the toilet or sink.
The pharmaceuticals found in the water supply include over-the-counter as well as prescription drugs.
While a 2002 report by the U.S. Geological Survey shows low levels of pharmaceuticals in our rivers and streams, effects on humans have not been accounted for with certainty.
