This one deserves its own post:
FYI, on March 3, 2004, a formal written recommendation was made by the MESB (Michigan Environmental Science Board) to the Governor's Office to have the MESB scientifically evaluate the environmental and human health concerns associated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)in Michigan.
Environmental releases of PPCPs occur through several avenues including, wastewater treatment plant discharges, direct discharge of raw sewage (storm overflow events and residential straight piping), discharges from confined animal feedlots and facilities that treat medicated animals, and from land-applied sewage sludges. The constant introduction of PPCPs to the state’s surface and ground waters impart a persistence quality to PPCPs in the environment. Little is known regarding the environmental or human health hazards that are posed from the resulting chronic, sub-therapeutic level exposures of these bioactive substances or their transformation products. Background scientific information was provided in the request to support the concern for and the need to look at this issue.
Despite two telephone calls and three email reminders to the Governor's office of the submitted issue (over a period of two months), there was no response back to the MESB of the issue or request. Through other sources, it was subsequently found out that the MESB request was dismissed. Consequently, no charge was given to the MESB to evaluate this issue.
Keith G. Harrison
Former MESB Executive Director
1992-2005