You might have seen the article in your local paper last week: AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water or Drugs in Your Drinking Water. The Associated Press National Investigative Team found pain killers, hormones, psychotropics, bronchial dilators, antibiotics, and even veterinary medications in 24 major metropolitan areas out of only 28 water providers tested (although 62 were contacted). Some of the more common drugs were ibuprofen, aspirin, caffeine, nicotine and Salinomycin (a growth hormone for farm animals), with 56 pharmaceutical chemicals found in Philadelphia’s water supply. More than 41 million Americans from Louisville to Detroit to Northern New Jersey are effected by the waters tested.

“Members of the AP National Investigative Team reviewed hundreds of scientific reports, analyzed federal drinking water databases, visited environmental study sites and treatment plants and interviewed more than 230 officials, academics and scientists.” AP

And if you thought bottled water was any safer, you ought to read this article. There is no legal standard for testing for bottled water. Luckily, the amounts of these chemicals found in the water were measured in parts per billion. The EPA’s Bottle Water Basics is a helpful guide to buying clean water. To ensure pure water in your home you could invest in a very fine filter for your faucet, buy your water in 5 gallon jugs from a water store (my family uses The Pure Water Shop), or collect and purify your own rainwater. When it comes to disposing of medication, put them in a plastic bag with your coffee ground or kitty litter. Both absorb the medication’s chemicals and prevent them leaking into groundwater.

I was so happy when I read this fundraising press release to assist the good efforts of Healthy Child Healthy World last Saturday, October 13. Which also happens to be my birthday! Yay for me.

In short, a joint project between builder Tom Schey and environmentalist Kelly Meyer, the recently completed LEEDandreg Platinum certified project7ten, one of the most environmentally friendly homes in California, opens its doors for three weekends in October to educate and raise awareness about simple everyday choices and green products that can create a healthier environment.

Three weekend open houses will benefit Healthy Child Healthy World. Even better, random drawings of eco-cool prizes such as Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kits ($150 value) will be given to a lucky few.

About Healthy Child Healthy World
As a national leader for nearly two decades, Healthy Child Healthy World has become the nation’s leading organization of its kind, and helps millions of parents, educators, health professionals, and the general public take action to create healthy environments and embrace green, non-toxic steps.
Healthy Child Healthy World was founded by James and Nancy Chuda, in 1991 after their daughter Colette died from a rare form of non-hereditary cancer. Healthy Child has since become a resource for millions of parents and caregivers worldwide.