we must act now to stop this global crisis! there is hope.
we must act now to stop this global crisis! there is hope.
As much as 90% of the common cytotoxic drugs ingested by a patient are excreted in their original active form through a patients’ sweat, vomit, urine, and feces in the first few days following treatment.
In both hospital and home settings, cancer patients’ toxic human waste is poured into a toilet and enters our wastewater systems. Whether the hazardous chemicals enter the public wastewater system or a septic system, they reach our water supply and cannot be eliminated with current technology. These incredibly dangerous chemicals flow into ground water, creeks, and rivers, ultimately reaching our water supply and leaving the general public at great risk.
Leading environmental scientists say the solution to preventing this grave environmental and human health and safety risk is to capture cytotoxic chemicals at the source (the patient’s excreta) before they enter the water supply.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strictly regulates the disposal of unused cytotoxic substances as well as contaminated containers or instruments. It is a crime to dispose of containers holding even trace amounts of these drugs, the wrapper the drugs came in and anything that came into contact with the drug, by any means other than through the chemical waste disposal industry. There is no protection, however, from the toxic human waste contaminated with these chemicals.
There is hope. Technologies and processes are available to capture, sequester and destroy the chemotherapy chemicals found in cancer patients’ excreted waste in a safe and compliant manner before it is flushed down a toilet and others are exposed.
Many of subscribe to the notion that the government is watching out for us and protecting us from harm. In this instance, that is not the case.
The mission statement of the FDA begins, “The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs.” Although the FDA and USP have created mandates to protect chemotherapy patients’ families, caregivers and the public, many of the regulations are not currently being enforced.
The EPA states that it is “returning to its core mission of protecting human health and the environment. We are committed to providing clean and safe air, water, and land for all Americans.” Historically, the EPA has been focused on industrial chemicals that are designed not to react with nature or cause harm. The agency has placed little emphasis on pharmaceutical chemicals that are actually designed to have react with the human body and are causing extreme harm to our environment. These drug-induced biological changes occur when a person is exposed to a drug, whether intentionally or not. The EPA must recognize the grave dangers that exist because of secondhand exposure to chemotherapy drugs that are polluting our environment.
Thirty years ago, we didn't know any better. Today, we are allowing the uncontrolled discharge of these cytotoxic chemicals directly into our water systems. The well-documented rise of of pharmaceutical waste in our waterways creates a pathway for the spread of disease. The highest incidence of cancer occurs in the 25% of American communities which have septic systems. As new housing developments are built away from urban areas and are reliant on septic systems, the number of incidences of cancer will rise.
If you would like to contact your Senator or Congressman and let them know it is time to take action, you can find out how here.
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