Minnesota’s lakes and rivers contain pharmaceutical drugs and chemicals, according to a new follow-up study by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Environmental Scientist Mark Ferrey says they found 27 chemicals in lakes, and 56 chemicals downstream in rivers near wastewater treatment plants.
That includes several hormones, caffeine, nicotine, and the insect repellent DEET. An earlier study found similar results. Ferrey says one surprise is that the same chemicals were found in lakes and rivers nowhere near wastewater treatment plants, apparently coming from unexpected sources.
The chemicals may be sent airborne by trash incinerators. Ferrey says he plans a new study to trace the sources of the contamination.
