November 6, 2018, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Sixty-nine pharmaceutical compounds have been detected in stream insects, some at concentrations that may threaten animals that feed on them, such as trout and platypus. When these insects emerge as flying adults, they can pass drugs to spiders, birds, bats, and other streamside foragers. These findings by an […]
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Endocrine Disruption Fact Sheet
To All, TEDX’s one-page fact sheet, Understanding Endocrine Disruption, is a brief non-technical overview of endocrine disrupting chemicals, how we are exposed to them, and how they affect our health. It also includes tips and links to help you reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors. Who needs a fact sheet? Everyone from your congressional representative to your […]
Read MoreLike Swimming Through a Pharmacy
Researchers found a wide array of contaminants in Puget Sound fish By Pippa Wysong March 30, 2016 The fish in Washington State’s Puget Sound are on drugs. In juvenile chinook salmon and staghorn sculpin, researchers recently found traces of more than 40 different contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals. The presence of […]
Read MoreEmerging wastewater contaminant metformin causes intersex and reduced fecundity in fish
Nicholas J. Niemuth, Rebecca D. Klaper Highlights Fish were exposed to metformin at concentrations relevant to wastewater effluent. Exposure from early life stages to adulthood caused intersex in male fish. Exposure caused a reduction in fecundity and in overall size of male fish. Results suggest that metformin is a potential endocrine disruptor in the environment. […]
Read MoreEndocrine Disruptors: The Secret History of a Scandal
To River Watch readers: Our website has had several articles in the past on the impacts of endocrine disruptors in streams and other waters of the USA. Most of these chemicals come from pharmaceutical sources released through normal waste discharge without being filtered or treated. What has been revealed is that, unlike many other potentially […]
Read MoreDoes ‘the Dose make the Poison?’
Extensive results challenge a core assumption in toxicology by Pete Myers, Ph.D. and Wendy Hessler The “dose makes the poison” is a common adage in toxicology. It implies that larger doses have greater effects than smaller doses. That makes common sense and it is the core assumption underpinning all regulatory testing. When “the dose makes […]
Read MoreIs everything we think we know about chemical toxicity wrong?
May 30, 2012 at 5:54 pm Yes, if the first comprehensive review of the issue in a decade is correct in concluding that low doses of chemicals can harm health. Although the hypothesis that chemicals can have health effects at doses much lower than those routinely tested in the toxicological evaluation of chemicals is much-discussed, […]
Read MoreTHE RUSSIAN RIVER: ALL RIVERS Screenings
To All, Don McEnhill, Executive Director of Russian Riverkeeper is a featured interview in: THE RUSSIAN RIVER: ALL RIVERS – THE VALUE OF AN AMERICAN WATERSHED “The time of using greed to justify degrading our environment is over.” “We need to get very honest with the amount of water we have in the worst year. […]
Read MoreStudy finds steroids may persist longer in the environment than expected
University of Iowa-led research shows some drugs can partially regenerate themselves Assessing the risk posed to aquatic organisms by the discharge of certain steroids and pharmaceutical products into waterways is often based on a belief that as the compounds degrade, the ecological risks naturally decline. But there’s growing sentiment that once in the environment, some […]
Read MoreThe 16th Annual Coho Confab
The 16th Annual Coho Confab will be held in the Mattole River Valley. Salmonid Restoration Federation and Trees Foundation are the permanent co-hosts of this educational event and are excited to be partnering this year with the Mattole River and Range Partnership that includes Sanctuary Forest, Mattole Restoration Council, and the Mattole Salmon Group. The […]
Read MoreComment on Low Dose Hormones article
Hi all! I just received this article, EPA Responds to Scientists’ Concerns about Low Dose Hormones, stating that the EPA will begin to study low dose effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is just a first step, but an incredibly important one. This can represent a sea change in how toxicity is assessed and may […]
Read MorePublic Hearing on Amendment to the Recycled Water Policy
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE RECYCLED WATER POLICY CONCERNING MONITORING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTITUENTS OF EMERGING CONCERN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is holding a hearing to consider the adoption of a proposed amendment to the Recycled Water Policy. The […]
Read MoreEPA to Begin Study of Low Dose Effects of Endocrines
Hi all! I just received this article stating that the EPA will begin to study low dose effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is just a first step, but an incredibly important one. This can represent a sea change in how toxicity is assessed and may be the beginning of the end for the theory […]
Read MoreChemo Drugs Pose Serious Public Health Risks
By FRANK CARINI/ecoRI News staff NEWPORT — For 25 years, Jim Mullowney worked to protect company employees from the dangers of industrial chemicals. When his mother was stricken with cancer, he quickly realized chemotherapy chemicals are much nastier, and that they are being unleashed in homes and on the environment largely unnoticed. “We send people […]
Read MoreGreen-glowing fish provides new insights into health impacts of pollution
April 12, 2012 The fluorescent fish has shown that oestrogenic chemicals, which are already linked to reproductive problems, impact on more parts of the body than previously thought. The research by the University of Exeter and UCL (University College London) is published today (April 18, 2012) in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Numerous studies have linked ‘endocrine-disrupting’ chemicals, […]
Read MoreHow Estrogens Persist in Dairy Wastewater
ScienceDaily (June 5, 2012) – Wastewater from large dairy farms contains significant concentrations of estrogenic hormones that can persist for months or even years, researchers report in a new study. In the absence of oxygen, the estrogens rapidly convert from one form to another; this stalls their biodegradation and complicates efforts to detect them, the […]
Read MoreComment on Toxicity Testing and Increasing Protection for Human Health
Just about all of these concerns can be addressed if toxicology moved toward a nonanimal approach. The method of using animals originated in the 1930-60 and is completely outdated today. The blueprint for development and implementation of alternatives is the National Research Council report, Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy […]
Read MoreIs everything we think we know about chemical toxicity wrong?
May 30, 2012, Health & Environment Yes, if the first comprehensive review of the issue in a decade is correct in concluding that low doses of chemicals can harm health. Although the hypothesis that chemicals can have health effects at doses much lower than those routinely tested in the toxicological evaluation of chemicals is much-discussed, […]
Read MoreIdentification and prioritization of bioaccumulable pharmaceutical substances discharged in hospital effluents
By J. Jeana, b, Y. Perrodina, C. Pivotc, D. Trepod, M. Perraude, J. Droguetf, F. Tissot-Guerrazg, F. Locherb Journal of Environmental Management Volume 103, July 30, 2012, Pages 113–121 Abstract The consumption of pharmaceuticals and their excretion in wastewater is a continuous source of pollution for aquatic ecosystems. In certain cases these compounds are found […]
Read MoreProblems with Legislation for Reclaimed Wastewater
Clean Water Friends: Proposed legislation has evolved from the State’s Recycled Water Policy. It basically takes away the authority of the Departments of Public Health and the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards to regulate the irrigation and recharge use of reclaimed wastewater. It aims to allow discharge into the drinking water supply, including […]
Read MoreRUSSIAN RIVER WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TOURS
Tour Dates: April 14th, May 19th, September 8th, and October 13th. The Sonoma County Water Agency invites the public to attend a free half day tour of the Russian River water supply system. The tours will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon. Tour participants will visit facilities that divert, pump and treat the water […]
Read MoreWater treatment turns common chemicals toxic, says report
Ben Cubby December 2, 2011 TRACES of common pain-killing drugs are being transformed into toxic forms by waste water treatment plants, a new report from researchers at the University of NSW shows. The study, which used samples from water treatment plants across Sydney and some interstate plants, showed that the organic sludge used to help […]
Read MoreManufacturing Facilities Release Pharmaceuticals to the Environment
In a 2004-2009 study, USGS scientists found that pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities can be a significant source of pharmaceuticals to the environment. Effluents from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that receive discharge from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities (PMFs) had 10 to 1000 times higher concentrations of pharmaceuticals than effluents from 24 WWTPs across the nation that do […]
Read MoreDiscussion on the Latest on Estrogen in Water
To All, Sewage effluent testing has shown high levels of estrogen and other pharmaceuticals that are likely to interfere with the reproductive cycle – and provide larger breasts for guys (as well as slower running and biking capabilities). Sewage sludge has other issues – especially if handled improperly, A way to beat up your sludge […]
Read MoreAction Letter to Protect Our Waterways from Pesticides
To All, Pesticides in our waters, often overlooked, are a significant threat to wildlife and human health. Right now chemical and agribusiness lobbyists are trying to persuade Congress to gut the Clean Water Act and allow unregulated pesticide application. You can help turn back this toxic tide. Industry lobbyists are pushing a radical revision of our […]
Read MoreJoin Call: Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones: Impacts on Fish and People
CHE Alaska call: Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones: Impacts on Fish and People August 24, 2011 at 9:00 am Alaska / 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern RSVP: To join this free call and receive the dial-up instructions, please RSVP to Alaska Community Action on Toxics atdiana@akaction.org or (907) 222-7714. Description: A one hour discussion […]
Read MoreJoin Call About Toxic Chemicals that Disrupt Hormones
Please join us on Wednesday, August 24th for a one hour discussion with environmental biologist Dr. Frances Solomon. Dr. Solomon has more than 25 years of experience in state and local environmental agencies, focusing on the biological impacts of toxic water pollutants, pollution prevention and control, and cleanup of contaminated sites. Join this call to learn more about: […]
Read MoreChance to tour the Russian River County Sanitation District August 6
Your chance to tour the Russian River County Sanitation District August 6. See attached. Stephen The Russian River County Sanitation District is hosting a public tour of its wastewater treatment plant on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 10 a.m. to noon. The tour is free and District ratepayers are encouraged to attend. Information presented on […]
Read MoreUrban Water Management Plan Session for Santa Rosa–Nov. 8
At 2:30 there will be a study session addressing the preparation of the Urban Water Management Plan, a state-required document that includes demand projections. How much water will Santa Rosa officially request for future growth? This will take place in the SR City Council Chambers on Tues. Nov. 9th. Brenda
Read MoreFish on Drugs
The Mellowing of Minnows and Other Consequences of Antidepressants in the Water By Melissa Knopper Minnows don’t swim away from predators after they’re exposed to antidepressants. © Photos: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Back in the 1990s, Theo Colborn, then-senior scientist with the World Wildlife Fund, sounded the first alarms about endocrine disrupters. In the […]
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