Drugs in fish caught from dirty rivers

WACO, Texas, March 26 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they've found low-levels of antidepressants, cholesterol drugs and seizure medications in fish collected from polluted rivers.

The study by Baylor University involved collection of fish from rivers in Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Fla., Phoenix and West Chester, Pa., that routinely receive effluent discharges from wastewater treatment plants.

The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Baylor researchers said there there are no guidelines or federal testing standards for pharmaceuticals or most personal care products in wastewater because their effects in surface waters aren't well understood, the university said in a news release.

Researchers tested fish fillets and liver tissue for 24 human medications and tested fish fillets for 12 chemicals found in personal care products. Seven pharmaceuticals and two personal care products were found in fish at all five river sites. The drugs included gemfibrozil, diphenhydramine, carbamazepine, norfluoxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline.

They also found Galaxolide and tonalide, which are both fragrances used in soap and other personal-care products.