Prozac Found in Drinking Water in Britain
Prozac Found in U.K. Drinking Water
The antidepressant Prozac is being consumed in such large quantities in Britain that it has now been discovered in the country's drinking water.
Britain's Environment Agency has revealed that Prozac is building up both in river systems and groundwater used for drinking supplies, according to a report in The Observer. Exactly how much is there is unknown. The government said that the amounts were "watered down," and weren't likely to pose any risk to public health, but said that it was a "potential concern."
The discovery has nonetheless left environmentalists concerned. The use of Prozac in the country has shot up dramatically, rising from 9 million prescriptions per year to 24 million in the decade ending in 2001, according to The Observer.
Activists are seeking an urgent investigation into the revelations, saying that the buildup of the antidepressant is tantamount to a "hidden mass medication," the paper said.
According to experts, Prozac seeps into rivers and water systems from treated sewage water.
<hr>
Now, I'm sure trace elements of hundreds of different drugs end up in drinking water all over the place.
Do you drink the water that comes out of the tap, or do you avoid it as much as possible and go with purified water of bottled water.