What’s in our Water?

It’s no surprise that many synthetically manufactured compounds find their way into our water ways; however, you might not realize the array of pharmaceutical drugs that have slipped into our drinking water. It’s a wonder we’re not all walking zombies.

Those were the 11 most frequently detected compounds in Las Vegas tap water from 2006-2007. See below for a list of definitions.

1. used to treat cardiovascular disease
2. an herbicide banned in the European Union (still used in the US) has been implicated in the decline of fish stocks and in changes in animal behavior
3. a mood-stabilizing drug used to treat bipolar disorder
4. an estrogen hormone blamed for causing gender-bending changes in fish
5. an anti-cholesterol drug
6. a tranquilizer used in psychiatric treatment
7. a painkiller and anti-inflammatory linked to increases in asthma incidence
8. an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy
9. an antibiotic used against the “Strep” bacteria
10. a reducing agent used in molecular biology
11. an antibiotic

*information from joemohrtoons.com