Traces Of Opioids Found In Seattle-Area Mussels

[RadishRose]

Bay mussels in Washington's Puget Sound have tested positive for trace amounts of oxycodone, providing more evidence that the opioid prescription medication is truly ubiquitous.


Researchers at the Puget Sound Institute who analyzed the mussels said the discovery of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in harbors in the Seattle and Bremerton areas is not uncommon — but the organization noted this is the first time that opioids have been found in local shellfish.

In addition to oxycodone, scientists found high levels of the chemotherapy drug Melphalan — a potential carcinogen — in the mussels. The drug was found at "levels where we might want to look at biological impacts," according to James.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/25/614593382/traces-of-opioids-found-in-seattle-area-mussels

 

[Don M.]

Not too surprising...given that many people flush unwanted/unneeded drugs down their toilets...which eventually puts those drugs in the environment, and potentially even in the municipal water systems. Locally, there have been many days and locations set up where people can drop off their unused drugs, but I'm not sure what the police, etc., do with the drugs they collect.

 

[RadishRose]

I read somewhere than the traces in urine flushed away, although that water goes thru treatment plants before going into the oceans are too small to be filtered out and therefore the buildup now, is shocking.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

That is terrible. Nothing is safe anymore. I finally bought some romaine lettuce because they say it is finally safe to eat after many weeks. What will be next?

 

[RadishRose]

That is terrible. Nothing is safe anymore. I finally bought some romaine lettuce because they say it is finally safe to eat after many weeks. What will be next?

I better hurry up and get some Ruth, because next it will be more bagged greens, lettuces or spinach again.