Don’t think our highly-polluted country has any impact on your life? How about this: Assorted fish from five rivers in the U.S. were recently found to be tainted with medications and other chemicals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Benadryl, an anticonvulsant, and two types of antidepressants were among the 7 pharmaceuticals found in the tissue and livers of fish from waterways near Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Orlando.
Other drugs discovered were:
- Lopid, a cholesterol drug
- Cardizem, a blood-pressure medication
- Tegretol, a drug used for epilepsy and bipolar disorder
- Norfluoxetine, an active ingredient in the antidepressant Prozac
- Zoloft, an antidepressant
- Galaxolide and tonalide, common odor-enhancing ingredients in soap and other hygiene products
Take-home tip: If you fish in waterways surrounding big cities, be responsible and throw back your catch. It’s good for the environment (though it seems cruel now), and your health.