Little knowledge about drug disposal

Consumers show significant knowledge gaps in drug disposal

05/28/2014

Medicines must be disposed of properly to minimize the accumulation of drug residues in the environment. However, a representative survey by the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) shows that many consumers have significant gaps in their knowledge of how to handle medicines. So be „also in Germany more than 150 different active substances in almost all waters, up to the basic and drinking water“, prove.

Most residues of analgesics, antibiotics, antihypertensives or psychotropic drugs come from the ISOE „from domestic wastewater - but many consumers do not even know that they are the polluters.“ According to the experts, the accumulation of pharmaceuticals in the environment is an undesirable side effect when using medicines, on the other hand, the problem is compounded by the incorrect disposal of the drugs. According to the results of the latest survey, liquid drugs in particular often end up in the sink or toilet.

Pharmaceutical residues in rivers and lakes
When medicines are used, the active ingredient in the body is generally not completely broken down, so that residues are eliminated with the urine. Decomposition product also enters the wastewater with the urine, which, however, can only be freed of the chemical compounds in the sewage treatment plants to a limited extent. „With the drain from the sewage treatment plants into the rivers and lakes, the residues are returned to the environment and the water cycle“, reports the ISOE. In the current survey, almost 50 percent of the 2,000 respondents had not been known at all, „Already by the intake of medicines trace substances enter the water cycle“, explained the ISOE researcher Konrad Götz.

Do not dispose of medicines via the toilet or sink
However, according to the researchers, a significant proportion of drug residues in the aquatic environment is not due to ingestion but to incorrect disposal. Here were the scientists according to their own information about „the large gaps in knowledge in the proper disposal of liquid medication residues“ especially surprised. 47 percent of Germans would do this „wrong, namely about the sink or the toilet,“ to dispose. The current survey confirms „the knowledge gap that we found in a similar survey in 2007“, ISOE expert Götz continues. Overall, would „Only 15 percent of consumers use their medicines correctly, that is - according to the practice recommended by the Federal Government - about the residual waste“ to dispose.

Threatening environmental damage from the drug entry
Get the active ingredients of the drugs „into the water cycle, they can be dangerous to the flora and fauna: hormone remnants of the pillhave demonstrably contributed to the feminization of male fish“, reports the ISOE. Also in fish kidney damage by the analgesic diclofenac and behavioral changes have been observed by psychotropic drugs. Here must „Finally, an effective information campaign on disposal should be carried out to prevent potential environmental hazards“, demanded Konrad Gotz. A media analysis by the ISOE has indeed shown that the correct handling of trace substances is often discussed, but this has not come with the consumer for years properly.

Disposal recommended with household waste
Since the residual waste is no longer stored in landfills, but burned, which ensures complete destruction of the active ingredients, the disposal of household waste is currently considered the most environmentally friendly way. But „because many consumers do not know that, it's just second best“, so Götz. In his opinion, it would be best to return to the old practice. Until 2009, drugs could be returned to the pharmacies, ensuring professional disposal. But it was also important, „That doctors inform themselves about the problem of remnants of medicines in the water and about environmentally friendly alternative medicines“, reports the ISOE. The readiness on the part of the patients is given. „Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed want their doctor to offer environmentally friendly alternatives - with the same effectiveness“, reports the ISOE.

The current representative survey on drug disposal was carried out as part of the project „TransRisk - characterization, communication and minimization of risks from new pollutants and pathogens in the water cycle“, that of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the BMBF focus „Risk management of new pollutants and pathogens in the water cycle“ (RiSKWa) is promoted. According to the ISOE, the project is headed by Professor Thomas Ternes from the Federal Institute of Hydrology in Koblenz. (Fp)