Study of Unused Pharmaceuticals at Health Care Facilities

Pharmaceuticals are being discovered in our nation's waters at very low concentrations. While the sources of these pharmaceuticals may be numerous, EPA has been studying unused pharmaceutical disposal practices at health care facilities. This study was prompted by the concern that potentially large amounts of pharmaceuticals are being flushed or disposed of down the drain, ultimately ending up in rivers, streams and coastal waters.  EPA has visited many facilities and consulted with organizations in the health care industry, as well as federal, state and local government agencies.

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Background Documents

• Health Care Industry Unused Pharmaceuticals Detailed Study 2007-2009 Data Collection and Outreach (PDF) (17 pp, 164K) (September 2009)
• Interim Report on Unused Pharmaceuticals in the Health Care Industry (PDF) (17 pp, 409K) August 2008 [c2]

Additional Information

Meghan Hessenauer (hessenauer.meghan@epa.gov)