Toxic tap water? 14 drugs, personal care products in NYC drinking water
Not to worry? A new report shows that prescription drugs and personal care products have been detected in the drinking water of the nation's largest city, but environmental officials say the levels are too low to pose any health dangers, the Associated Press reported. Not everyone is convinced there's no danger. While the levels detected for each compound are low, the health concerns for a mixture of these medications have not been assessed - and "we cannot be assured that the final mix is safe," says Dr. Olga Naidenko, a scientist with Washington D.C.-based watchdog organization Environmental Working Group.
Just which medicines and personal care products were found in New York City's drinking water? Keep clicking to find out...
Acetaminophen
This nonprescription pain reliever and fever reducer kicks off the list of 14 compounds found in New York City's tap water.
Butalbital
Butalbital is a barbiturate - a sedative or hypnotic drug - prescribed as a pain reliever.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant most commonly consumed through coffee beans.
Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is a prescription anti-convulsant.
Cotinine
Cotinine is a byproduct of nicotine, found in tobacco.
DEET
DEET is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents.
Diltiazem
Diltiazem is a drug used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).
Gemfibrozil
Gemfibrozil is a prescription drug used to treat high cholesterol.
Ibuprofen
An anti-inflammatory, nonprescription drug, ibuprofen is used to relieve pain and reduce fevers.
Iopromide
Iopromide is a substance used to enhance contrast in X-rays and medical imaging.
Meprobamate
Meprobamate is a sedative used to relax the muscles and reduce anxiety.
Paraxanthine
Paraxanthine is a stimulant that's chemically related to caffeine.
Primidone
Primidone is an anti-epileptic drug used to treat seizure disorders.
Sulfamethoxazole
Sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic that is generally used in combination with other drugs.