Drugs, other contaminants from Puget Sound wastewater detected in salmon

摘要

Anew study of "emerging contaminants" entering Puget Sound in wastewater plant effluent found some of the nation's highest concentrations of these chemical compounds, and detected many in fish at concentrations that may affect their growth or behavior.The study by scientists from NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center and the University of Washington tested for 150 of the contaminants and detected 81 of the compounds in wastewater flowing into Puget Sound estuaries. They include pharmaceuticals such as the antidepressant Prozac and the diabetes medication metformin, personal care products such as antibacterialcompounds from soap, and industrial chemicals.