Environment DEC
From the March 2010 issue
Albany-Area Pharmaceutical Collection Event
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will be at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on March 3, 2010 to collect unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals from area residents for proper disposal. The collection will run from 9 AM until 1 PM at the bus station on the concourse level of the Plaza and is part of DEC's ongoing "Don't Flush Your Drugs" campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of household drugs on water quality.
Recent reports have shown that an array of medicines are showing up in the rivers, streams and drinking water supplies of a number of American cities. Although the concentrations of the pharmaceuticals are small, studies have found negative impacts on aquatic life, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged the issue is a serious concern. New York State has been a leading voice in efforts to encourage people to keep pharmaceuticals out of public waterways.
Two pharmacists and an Environmental Conservation Officer evaluate pharmaceuticals at a previous collection day sponsored by DEC.
Staff from DEC's Pollution Prevention Unit and environmental conservation officers will be at the collection event at the Plaza. Sharps (e.g., needles used for insulin) and mercury thermometers will not be collected. For more information on Albany's pharmaceutical collection event or for assistance in planning a pharmaceutical collection event, contact DEC's Dennis Lucia at 518-402-9469.
To learn more about the issue, go to the "Don't Flush Your Drugs" page on DEC's website, which provides detailed instructions and suggestions for properly disposing pharmaceuticals, a list of frequently asked questions and a range of Internet links regarding ongoing studies and actions.
