Drug traces found in Ohio River water

LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 12 (UPI) -- Chemicals and pharmaceuticals are surviving waste treatment efforts and ending up in the Ohio River near Louisville, Ky., researchers say.

Antidepressants, veterinary hormones and even cocaine have been detected both upstream and downstream from the city in a river used for drinking water, The (Louisville) Courier-Journal reported Monday.

Researchers say there's minimal danger to the 5 million people who get their drinking water from the 981-mile-long river because the contaminants are in extremely low concentrations, the newspaper said.

But other scientists who've reviewed the date say some of the polluting substances have been tied to feminization of male fish.

"When we see something this basic being altered in fish, we should be concerned about what it's doing to our own health," said biologist Peter DeFur, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who specializes in chemical contaminants in the environment.

DeFur was not involved in the original study.

The study sampled 22 locations from Pittsburgh to Paducah, Ky., and found a widespread presence in the Ohio of what are called "contaminants of emerging concern" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Experts said some drugs and chemicals in the river are probably passing through treatment systems into drinking water.

That's not encouraging news to some residents.

"I don't like the idea of taking somebody else's medication through my water supply," said Leonard Buckner, a Louisville Water Co. customer. "It seems like we need to understand this better."