HC Deb 16 May 2000 vol 350 c89W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence he has assessed which indicates that potentially damaging residues from medicinal drugs are contaminating waterways and drinking water sources. [121528]

Mr. Mullin

Last year the Environment Agency commissioned a review of human pharmaceuticals in the environment for completion by the end of May. This will report on the information available on such substances in the environment, their occurence, fate and ecological effects and will provide a basis for further work. The Department has also funded extensive monitoring for drug residues in drinking water sources since the 1970s. Although certain common drugs have been detected at very low concentrations in some drinking water sources, current drinking water treatment processes are effective in removing them.