SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Research by the Associated Press released Monday found trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in San Francisco and across the nation.
But Bay Area water officials said the levels of an estrogen-related hormone discovered in San Francisco's drinking water are too low to cause any damage.
"It was found at a level at about 48 parts per quadrillion. That's essentially the equivalent of finding less than a single grain of sand in an Olympic-sized swimming pool," said Tony Winnicker with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
Winniker explained that San Francisco voluntarily participated in a study on compounds in water. The hormone was found in one of the samples.
He added that this hormone is present in all mammals and could have gotten into the supply by way of animal activity around San Francisco's protected water sources.
And according to Charles Henry with East Bay MUD, water sources for the East Bay are also safe.
Pharmaceutical compounds get into drinking water through treated waste water. None of the drinking water used in San Francisco or the East Bay comes into contact with waste water.
Regardless, when disposing of medicines, consumers should take them back to the pharmacy, if possible, or wrap them in plastic and throw them in the trash. Pharmaceuticals should never be flushed down the toilet or sink.
(cdg)
KCBS' Melissa Culross reports
