Archive for September, 2009

24 Sep

EPA Evaluates Drugs & Chemicals In Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency listed 104 chemicals that could affect our drinking water. According to a September 23 article in Chemical & Engineering News, the agency is considering regulation of pharmaceuticals for the first time under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The targeted drugs include a number of estrogens, pesticides, and two major perfluorinated compounds.

20 Sep

Global Animal Disease Monitoring Necessary

A sustainable, integrated surveillance system to monitor human and animal populations globally could have provided early detection for the H1N1 swine flu virus, according to Marguerite Pappaioanou of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
Prompt action might have contained new outbreaks and prevented a pandemic shortly after its North American emergence in March.

16 Sep

Promethazine Boxed Warning

Injectable promethazine, a drug used for nausea, vomiting, and as a sedative, is now required to display a boxed warning. The Food and Drug Administration mandated this action due to possible serious injury if the product is administered incorrectly.
The revised Dosage and Administration label states that if promethazine is given intravenously, the drug’s concentration [...]