1. Swirl: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products A homework-ready unit Students learn how and why Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCP’s) have become one of the leading causes of poor water quality in the U.S. As homework, students will learn about PPCPs and their effects on people and the environment. Credits Gaby Geyer Jim Neiss Vanessa Sorrell Companion Video www.youtube.com/imakechange/ Select Video: Swirl Features Students read scientific reports from the United States Geologic Survey Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Bay Watershed Education and Training Program (B-WET) CA State Science Standard Grade 9-12 6b Ecology Grade 6 5b Ecology

2. Students learn how and why Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCP’s) have become one of the leading causes of poor water quality in the U.S. As homework, students will learn about PPCPs and their effects on people and the environment. Swirl: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products A homework-ready unit B ACKGROUND A growing demand for fresh water has raised concerns about water quality. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) have been singled out as a major contributor of water pollution in the United States. According to a study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), PPCP chemicals were found in 80% of the streams studied. PPCP chemicals are negatively affecting water quality and the environment, however the extent of the damage is not readily known. PPCPs include items such as: Prescription and over-the-counter medications Vitamins Veterinary medications Cosmetics Fragrances Sunscreen products PPCPs are a result of: Human activity Veterinary medication use Residuals from pharmaceutical companies and hospitals Illicit drugs Agribusiness PPCPs, as pollutants, are a direct consequence of individual activity. Prescription drugs were found to be among the most abundant PPCPs in waterways. Most likely, this is because people flush medication down the toilet as a means of disposal. Not all of the medication is absorbed into the body, so a person will excrete chemicals. Many of the chemicals that are excreted by people are not removed during the water treatment process. After waste water flows through the sewer, it enters the water treatment facility. Water is screened for large pieces of trash. It enters a primary clarifying chamber where small waste settles to the bottom and oil and scum settles on top for removal. Oxygen is then added to stimulate bacteria growth, that in turn breaks down organic waste. The water is finally disinfected with chlorine, then de-chlorinated, before it is released into a stream, bay or the ocean. O BJECTIVES Students will be able to: o define PPCPs (Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products). o understand why PPCPs contribute to poor water quality. o describe how PPCPs enter waterways. o explain the proper way to dispose of medicine or other harmful chemicals. PPCPs in Water 2

3. MATERIALS o Video: go to www.youtube.com/user /imakechange/ “Select Swirl” o Worksheets: go to http://toxics.usgs.gov/pubs /FS-027-02/index.html http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/ basic2.html http://www.fda.gov/forcon sumers/consumerupdat es/ucm101653.htm 3 PPCPs in Water For information on how to properly dispose of medication, please visit: www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm101653.htm Use these resources as homework reading assignments: toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/index.html www.epa.gov/ppcp/basic2.html 1.Teacher will explain what PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products) are. 2.Students will learn why PPCPs are a growing concern. 3.Students will watch a video about PPCPs and why PPCPs are not cleaned out during the water treatment process. 4.As homework, students will read articles from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Environmental Protection Agency to answer worksheet questions. OVERVIEW SET-UP 1.Print out worksheet for each student in class. 2.Set up “Swirl” video.

4. PROCEDURE 1.Tell students that they will be watching a video about one of the leading causes of poor water quality in the United States. Ask students what they think they will see in the video 2.The poor water quality is caused by PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products). Referring to the above background, give students a brief definition of PPCPs. 3.Hand out worksheets. 4.Play “Swirl” and have students answer worksheet questions as they watch. 5.After students are finished watching the video, ask students if they are surprised by what they saw. Is it worrisome that not all chemicals are cleaned out during the water treatment process? In what ways do PPCPs affect the environment? 6.As homework, assign each student to read these articles: toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/index.html and www.epa.gov/ppcp/basic2.html 7.Students should finish the second part of worksheet as homework. 4 PPCPs in Water TAKE ACTION! Create awareness about new FDA guidelines to dispose of pharmaceuticals. Take advantage of community drug take-back programs. (Contact your local waste disposal company) If no drug take-back programs exist, ask your city to start one.

5. 5 1.What kinds of products are being flushed down the toilet? 2.How is sewer water cleaned during the water treatment process? 3.What happens after the water is de-chlorinated? 4.What percentage of streams studied were contaminated? 5.What were the most commonly found chemicals? 6.What happens to fish living in waters contaminated with medication? 7.What are some better ways to dispose of medicine or other hazardous chemicals? As you watch Swirl answer the following questions: Marine Debris Name Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products

6. 6 Answer the following questions based on the EPA article: 1.What does PPCP stand for? 2.What are some examples of PPCPs? 3.There is an “immediate connection of the actions/activities of__________________ with their _____________________.” 4.Why do PPCPs make their way into soils and the environment? Answer the following questions based on the USGS: 1.What is the name of the USGS article and what year was it published? 2.How many streams were used to sample water from? From how many states? 3.One or more chemicals were found in what percentage of the sampled water? 4.What were the most common chemicals found? Read two articles: toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/index.html and www.epa.gov/ppcp/basic2.html Marine Debris Name Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products