NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reducing Pharmaceuticals in our Waters: A DEC Update and Appeal for your Input Scott Stoner, Chief, Standards and Analytical Support Section Division of Water; Chair, NYSDEC Pharmaceuticals Work Group Joan Kennedy, Division of Public Affairs and Education Presentation to WMAC – December 3, 2008

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: A Complex Problem Widespread and diverse sources Few if any water quality standards Waste water treatment only partly effective; - not designed to remove pharmaceuticals No single/simple solution

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: A Complex Solution Source Control: unused medications Source Control: drug manufacturers Improved wastewater treatment ($$) Greener drugs (faster breakdown)

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Waters: Initial DEC Actions Pharmaceuticals Work Group Roundtable on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS Inter-Agency Work Group – institutions “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” campaign Website:

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Pharmaceuticals Work Group Winter 2008; Led by Division of Water Chair: Scott Stoner; Co-Chair: Ken Kosinski Solid and Hazardous Materials, Public Affairs and Education, Communications, Pollution Prevention, Policy Office, and NYS Dept. of Health Initially focusing on source control – reduce flushing of unused medications

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS May 15, 2008 Sponsored by NYSDEC and NYSDOH Panel discussions on pharmaceuticals generated by: -Households -Hospitals and other institutions Synopsis now online

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS Key Messages: Households Pilot programs proving the feasibility of different models of collection of unused drugs Management of controlled substances creates a significant barrier

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Roundtable Discussion on Managing Unused Pharmaceuticals in NYS Key Messages: Hospitals and Other Institutions Flushing common and widespread Pharmaceutical waste volume differs by type of institution

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Inter-Agency Work Group on Pharmaceutical Disposal in Institutions DEC, DOH, Dept of Education Objective: Develop new guidance on pharmaceuticals disposal in institutions Eliminate regulatory barriers Work with regulated community – ensure guidance is workable Educate regulated community on new protocols

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Initial DEC Actions: Commissioner’s Announcement and Website Press Release August 8, 2008 “Don’t Flush Your Drugs” campaign Website: Technical background on the issue Guidance for proper household disposal

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Recent Legislation - Pharmaceuticals S7560A ; effective March 24, 2009 Amends New York’s Env. Cons. Law Directs DEC, in consultation with NYS DOH, to develop and implement a public information program on the proper disposal of drugs Authorizes but does not fund pilot collection Codifies what we are already doing…

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Reducing Pharmaceuticals in Water: Status Check Complex and challenging issue Initial DEC actions: source control: do not flush Next steps -institutions -continued research -collaboration -push for “greener” drugs -education campaign

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Getting The Message Out

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Our Thoughts Water bills and annual water quality reports Hospitals, pharmacies, medical organizations –Link to website –Add to their website Presentations at events

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Can You Help Us? Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Recommendations?

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Acknowledgements Kenneth Kosinski, P.E., Division of Water, Co-Chair, NYSDEC Pharmaceuticals Work Group Resa A. Dimino, Special Assistant, Commissioner’s Policy Office