10 Items You Should Never Pour Down Your Drain

Medication

  The Risks of Disposing of Pharmaceuticals in Drainage Systems Many individuals incorrectly assume that flushing pharmaceuticals remains safe. They believe pills dissolve rapidly, but this assumption proves false. Actually, numerous medications may contaminate water supplies, creating environmental and health risks. Flushed pharmaceuticals do not vanish. They may remain intact or partially dissolve, polluting water sources. Treatment systems can eliminate most pathogens, yet they are not designed to filter pharmaceuticals. Drug traces may persist in drinking water and environments, damaging aquatic creatures and affecting people. Pharmaceuticals in water may disrupt animal hormone systems, causing breeding problems and declining populations. They may also contribute to antibiotic resistance, as remaining antibiotics in water impact bacterial populations.

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