EPA Updates its Candidate Contaminant List

The Obama Administration has taken the first step toward regulating pharmaceuticals as environmental pollutants. Of particular interest to water utilities is the addition of 13 pharmaceuticals, mostly sex hormones, to the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL). The CCL is a list of chemicals that selected water utilities are required to test for in their treated water and report the results to EPA. Addition to the CCL is regarded as the first step toward a contaminant becoming nationally regulated in drinking water, although regulation is not assured. There is still a debate if pharmaceuticals in very low concentrations pose a human health threat over a lifetime of exposure. The FDA has also updated its list of chemicals that can be flushed down the toilet, and is currently working towards a goal of returning all unused medicines. The full article can be found online at Article Link. The updated EPA Candidate Contaminant List is online at Candidate Contaminant List, and the FDA’s updated chemical flush list is online at FDA Flush List.