Are we being drugged by our drinking water?

According to the latest results from an investigation conducted by the Associated Press, 24 major metropolitan ares from Southern California to Northern New Jersey have tested positive for traces of prescription drugs in the drinking water.

This is being caused by drugs entering the watershed through sewers and landfills. Samples taken from reservoirs serving at least 41 million Americans are showing everything from anti-pshychotics to sex hormones streaming right from our tap.

While short term effects may go unnoticed, what’s troubling scientists are the long term human health consequences.   As aquatic life adapts, genetic mutations travel up the food chain and ultimately effect us.

While studies are ongoing it would be wise to think twice before flushing expired prescription drugs down the toilet.

For more on drugs and the environment, click here.

Photo by Carly & Art.

What’s the one room in the house that uses the most resources and energy to keep your household healthy?

If you guessed the bathroom, you’re spot on.  So how can you regulate the massive amounts of water used in your precious porcelain parlor to help you save money and lessen your environmental impact?

1.) Let’s talk toilets.  If you’ve got one from before 1994, you’re using double the water than that of newer models.  A $300 replacement could save you $50 a year and 180,000 gallons of water.

2.) Hit the showers!  With the simple, inexpensive switch of a shower head to one with a low flow rate of around 2 gallons per minute, you’ve just cut your water usage by 70%!

and 3.) Reuse your water! With the addition of water recirculation pumps and heat recovery systems, you’ll save money on hot water not to mention hundreds of thousands of gallons of usable graywater.

Photo by really short.

At the crossroads of the cold war and the global environmental revolution is former Russian President, Mikhail Gorbachev.

Chairman and Founder of Green Cross International, former President Gorbachev is  today’s Green Superhero. His record for the environment dates back to 1992 and his attendance at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.  His mission to create a sustainable future between humans and the environment continues today.

By keeping it simple, the former Soviet leader has brought together 21 National Organizations that work off three basic programs:  The Environmental Legacy of Wars Program is designed to clean up the massive environmental mess produced by wars.  The International Water Conflict Prevention Program seeks peaceful solutions to the violent standoffs over  fresh water.  And the Earth Charter is a universal blueprint to guide people and nations toward a sustainable future.

Photo by Global Green USA.