maleficent

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.
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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.

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MrFlux

Bottled water is much too expensive. The tap water IS there for drinking. And I haven't seen anyone have any adverse side effects from it.

Anyone who drinks bottled water over tap water (unless, of course, it's just because you don't like the taste of tap water) is just being unnecessarily (sp?) paranoid. Those huge water treatment plants aren't there for nothing.

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flux (n.)
Medicine. The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.

Fremen

The tapwater is fine here. I drink it regularly.


*scratches third arm*

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MSD

Getting bottled water is usually just stupid. Unless it's discolored or known to be contaminated, just drink the tap water. It's not too bad when you don't have constant access to a water fountain or a sink, I've picked up the habit from a firend of buying a $1 big Snapple water bottle at school and refilling it several times over the day, but drinking bottled water exclusively is a waste of money.

Fremen

If people are worried about their tapwater, I presume it's cheaper to use a Brita type filter than constantly buying bottled water. Am I right?

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DelayedReaction

Britta filters do a good job of making the water taste good, and also filter out most impurities. Works really well on shitty vodka too!

I just drink the local water. I figure I've developed a tolerance from public school water anyhow.

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If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

stevie667

Thats the good thing about the british state education system, it hardens up your digestive system to cope with everything from acid to bad mashed potatoe.


But, in response to the original post, doesn't suprise me in the least bit whatsoever.

denim

The thing about some tap waters is that the system between you and the treatment plant may be kinda old, like 80+ years. In that kind of time, pipes degrade, develop leaks, occasionally fail completely. You don't know what's happening to the water. I use a Brita pitcher at home, but I feel safe enough with tap water when I cook.

ShaniFaye

I see no point in paying for bottled water when I already pay for my water at home...The only time I see the point in drinking bottled water is when you are away from home and might be drinking water you arent "used" to

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

ratbastid

Which is exactly what's needed for a lifetime of eating british food, I guess?

I buy water bottles when I'm away from home or something, but then I keep them and refill them until they start smelling funny. You can't run a clear plastic bottle forever, they're not really meant for refilling and are prone to contamination. But I usually get away with it for a week or so at a stretch.

whocarz

I've always hated drinking out of plastic water bottles. They taste strange to me, I can taste the plastic. Tap water doesn't bother me in the least. I do, however, think it's alarming that Prozac somehow seeped it's way into the drinking supply from the waste water (even though they reuse that waste water). Crazy Brits.

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Mephisto2

I use a Brita filter based system at home.

Even when I recently moved to Perth and am temporarily living with my in-laws who draw their own water from a private bore, I still filter it for my bedside drinking. I plan to unpack my large Brita filter, and use it as usual, when I move to more long term accomodation next week.

When I'm away, I always use bottled water.

I don't know. I wouldn't call myself paranoid, just picky. I've suffered too many "Delhi Belly" attacks in the past...


Mr Mephisto

Nafter

Pretty much the only liquid i drink on a everyday basis is tap water, nice to know im getting my daily dosage of prozac to cheer me up along w/ that glass of water.

Maybe its one big conspiricy, drugging the nation to be more docile and easily controlable

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I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

Nafter

Had a chat to my mother whos a doctor (GP) and apparently prozac is the one being subscribed even more nowadays due to it being the cheapest so even more will be in there in the future heh.

She also mentioned that apparently the "pill" anti-fertility drug is a big thing in the water supply and could be one of the reasons why fertility is going down, dont know the sources but food for thought.

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I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

ironman

tap water and living in Guatemala

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Trisk

I believe they just made a new rule in the Kosher (Jewish) world - no drinking tap water due to microscopic bacteria and other stuff.

I buy bottles of water a lot but I don't mind drinking tap water most of the time (it depends on how the water looks/tastes - some places have nasty tasting tap water).

I think it's kind of weird/freaky that drugs are getting into the tap water.

jwoody

I don't worry about it, in fact I've drank so much prozac-contaminated tap water in my life that I don't worry about anything anymore.

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orphen

it's like how they used to add lithium to soft drinks - 7-up the atomic weight of lithium - suppose to make you happy too

apeman

it's not working ... i still feel down sometimes ...

increase the dosage!

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Cynthetiq

they just cleaned out water tower last week and I get sediment and rust flecks coming out of my shower and my kitchen tap.

fuckers keep just telling me to "run the water for a few minutes" I've been running it for like 3-4 hours....

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