Checklist for Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products, and Compounds in Other Consumer Products

• Widespread in the estuary
• Commonly used consumer products
• Suspected hormone disruptors

What Are They?

• Pharmaceuticals: include antibiotics for animals and people, oral contraceptives, other prescription medication, over-the-counter pain killers and antihistamines
• Personal care products: include deodorant, soap, sunscreen, insect repellant, synthetic musk, perfume, cosmetics, hair care products
• Compounds in other consumer products: include caffeine, laundry detergent, disinfectants, surfactants, and plasticizers, such as bisphenol A

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and similar compounds are being found with increasing frequency in freshwater systems throughout the country. These compounds wash off or excreted by our bodies and can then make their way to rivers and streams.

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and similar substances are of concern in the environment because their discharge is unregulated, some of them bioaccumulate in fish and people, and they can have a biological effect (intentionally, in the case of pharmaceuticals). For example, the synthetic musk HHCB bioaccumulates and is a suspected hormone disruptor. Bisphenol A, which was originally produced for use as a synthetic hormone, also is a suspected hormone disruptor.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are considered emerging contaminants about which additional scientific information is needed.

Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care Products, and Compounds in Other Consumer Products in the Estuary

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and similar compounds have been found at sites throughout the Columbia River estuary. In a recent study, caffeine was detected most frequently, followed by bisphenol A, HHCB, the antibiotic trimethoprim, and a breakdown product of erythromycin. Acetaminophen, the insect repellant DEET, and tylosin (a veterinary antibiotic) also have been found (Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership 2007).

Impacts in the Environment

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and some compounds in other consumer products can be toxic to salmon or affect their development. Some compounds mimic estrogens or other hormones, thus disrupting the endocrine system and possibly interfering with reproduction, growth, and development. Sublethal behavioral effects may also occur.

Sources of Exposure

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products enter the waterways through septic tanks, treated or untreated wastewater, runoff from livestock and aquaculture facilities, and recreational activities such as swimming.

In the Columbia River estuary, juvenile salmon are exposed to pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and similar wastewater compounds through river water (Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership 2007).

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ⁱ Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership. 2007. Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring: Water Quality and Salmon Sampling Report.

ⁱⁱ Ibid.