Study shows medical pollution in fish across U.S.

Better cook that fillet carefully, because who knows what sort of pollutants may be found in commonly consumed fish.

The first national pilot study on the topic found low levels of medications and personal care products in fish collected from rivers running near large American cities.

The Baylor University-EPA combined study found the residue of seven pharmaceuticals and two toiletry items in fish livers near Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Orlando and Philadelphia.

This was the first time one specific medication for high cholesterol was found in wild fish.

Many large-city water treatment plants use river systems to discharge leftover water. The government has testing standards for these discharges, but the rules don’t cover pharmaceuticals or many soaps and shampoos.

The effects of this type of pollution are not well understood, according to a press release from the Baylor researchers.

It is known, however, that antidepressant accumulation in fish may impact mating and other behaviors.

Many people still don’t know better than flushing extra medication down the toilet, but that’s not the only way medications reach the watershed.

A Boston University researcher says even some of the medication that we swallow, makes it through our system and into the water system.

And of course, personal care products slide down drains every time people wash their hair or hands.

For more about this topic from the EPA go here, and try here for more about  how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. Also, check with your local health department for hazardous waste drop-off sites.

Based on the latest Baylor study, the EPA is expanding its investigation of fish under its National Rivers and Streams Assessment.

The good news here is the EPA is taking the necessary steps to find out how destructive our habits are to fish. The bad news is the damage seems to be already well underway.