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Riverkeeper Reflections

Research looks into ways to better gauge, curb pharmaceutical impacts on our region's aquatic resources

4/18/2022

5 Comments

 
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Susquehanna University Associate Professor of Chemistry Lou Ann Tom works with undergrad students on studies that help reduce the potential impact of pharmaceuticals on our waterways.
​​Armed with 19 years of experience in various roles with Merck Pharmaceuticals out of Riverside, Lou Ann Tom continues to conduct research into ways to reduce impacts of pharmaceuticals that wind up in our waterways via her role as Associate Professor of Chemistry at Susquehanna University.

Among the variety of medications created at Merck, “We made Ivermectin, which is fairly toxic and treating it was a high priority, so I got involved in studying low levels of pharmaceuticals that may wind up in the river,” she said. “Some of the components were very difficult to analyze because some things can be toxic at levels that could be very, very low – almost too low to measure.

“Ivermectin can be an issue at parts per trillion. Most of the common analytical techniques have an ability to test to parts per million or parts per billion. I started studying ways in which we could develop a method to see that compound at parts per trillion. From there, I started looking at other compounds that were common and potentially could be toxic in really low levels.”
That has led Tom to working with molecularly imprinted polymers, which are designed to detect a very specific compound at low levels.

“If you have a sample of river water with other things in it, the polymers are designed to detect and concentrate a very specific compound, and then you can use regular techniques to analyze it,” said Tom.
 
Photodegradation
Tom’s research also is looking at a potentially game-changing way to de-toxify medication before it gets to our waterways via the process of photodegradation.

“There are some great programs out there like the med takeback work by Geisinger, but too often when the public has extra medication and people aren’t sure how to properly get rid of it, some may be thrown in the trash or down the sewer, and then there is the potential it gets into our environment,” said Tom. “We are looking at methods to degrade the pharmaceutical in an easy way so when they are disposed of in more traditional ways, the toxic component is gone.”

Her work has revolved around the use of ultraviolet light as an agent to degrade drug toxicity.

“Ideally, at some point, there would be some sort of box or unit where the public could drop off unused pharmaceuticals and they can immediately be treated via UV light and maybe a catalyst to speed up the degradation,” she said. “Once the toxicity is gone, it could be disposed of and no longer a threat to the environment.”

So far, the research shows some very promising results, especially for medications that are water soluble, dissolving in water on their own naturally.

“For water-soluble pharmaceuticals, degradation using just UV light is very quick,” she said. “Within a matter of a few hours, the component has either broken down or it is in levels that are much lower – usually at a point where we can no longer detect it using regular methods.”

Some of the most common water-soluble medications Tom has studied via her photodegradation work include lisinopril, albuterol, hydrochlorothiazide and atenolol.

“We did a survey looking at which are the most common pharmaceuticals that people have left over and may need to dispose of,” she said. “These water-soluble drugs degrade very quickly with UV light. You need to use specialized equipment to see these in very, very low levels, like parts per trillion, but we do know they degrade to less than parts-per-million levels in less than a day.”

However, water insoluble medications – such as warfarin (Coumadin or Jantoven), phenytoin (Dilantin), fenofibrate (Tricor or Triglide), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) – pose a different issue.

“Some of the most common water-insoluble drugs take much longer to degrade under UV light – like over a week and some of them two weeks without really degrading in toxicity,” said Tom. “With these pharmaceuticals, we are experimenting with catalysts that, when used with the UV light, can speed up that process.”

One of those potential catalysts may be found in an unlikely source.

“I am working with a colleague at St. Francis University who is doing work with acid mine drainage and there is a theory that some of the acid mine drainage residuals, like iron oxide, could potentially speed up the degradation when used with UV treatment,” said Tom. “Obviously this would be important in not only in speeding up that process, but also providing a beneficial usage of mine drainage residual.”
 
Lack of recent statistics
Despite indicators that pharmaceuticals are increasingly impacting the aquatic ecosystem, there hasn’t been any recent studies into actual levels of them in our watershed, according to several main sources.

“We have not sampled for pharmaceuticals in the past few years,” said Andrew Reif of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “Our last major effort was in 2006-2009.”

Results from that specific study found “A total of 51 different contaminants of emerging concern were detected in streamwater samples collected from 2007 through 2009 at 13 stream sampling sites located downstream from a wastewater-effluent-discharge site” within our greater watershed. Among the most commonly detected compounds were carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole – two of the water-insoluble drugs that Tom and her team are targeting in their photodegradation work.

Mindful med disposal
“We know that there are traces of pharmaceuticals and insecticides being found in the waterways. They can do potential damage to the life within the river, as well as life that is around the river. The studies of how high those levels need to be in order to be damaging are ongoing,” she said. “However, the fact that we are finding levels of pharmaceuticals in waterways has to be concerning to anybody who uses those waters for recreation, and, ultimately, our drinking water comes from those sources, too.”

Which is why people need to be mindful in how they dispose of unused medication, Tom added.

“Disposing of any sort of pharmaceutical in any way where it can get back to the environment – either by flushing them down a toilet or throwing them in the trash – should concern anyone who is the least bit environmentally conscious,” she said.

“There are enough programs now where there are takeback boxes and takeback days where people should really try to use these resources in the disposing of their unused medications in order to help the environment.”

According to the Geisinger medication take back program webpage, medications that are collected in this way “are securely transported to an incinerator for final disposal.”

“I don’t think there are very many of those incinerators,” said Tom. “I think there are only a few that have the proper regulations to be able to accept these and safely incinerate them.”

Geisinger has been an important partner for Tom and her team in finding alternate ways to safely dispose of medications without negatively impacting the environment.

“In our work, we start with a pure compound, and then we switch over and try to compare that with the actual pills or capsules that the public has because that’s the form that they’re going to be disposed in,” she said. “Geisinger has provided a lot of the actual pill form of the drugs for us to continue using in the studies.”

Outside of Geisinger’s assistance, Tom’s research into photodegradation of pharmaceuticals has been mostly driven in-house at Susquehanna University.

“I am sure there are other people doing this sort of work, but we are doing it here at Susquehanna with undergrad students doing the bulk of the work,” she said. “They are learning how to use the equipment and how to do the analyses, so it is beneficial for them. It is beneficial for me, and ultimately, I think it is beneficial for everybody.”

To contact Lou Ann Tom directly about her work, send an email to TomL@susqu.edu

For more information about Geisinger’s med take back program, visit https://bit.ly/3vjp9ug

As more results become available through Tom’s research into photodegradation and molecularly imprinted polymers, it will be shared via
www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/blog
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Listen to the full interview with Lou Ann Tom, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Susquehanna University, in our most recent episode of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast:
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Lou Ann Tom, of Susquehanna University, continues work on photodegradation of medications in an effort to find ways to reduce their toxicity before they reach our streams and river.
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An advocate of our outdoor resources, Lou Ann Tom urges everyone to mindfully dispose of leftover medications in a safe manner, touting Geisinger's med take back program.
Check out our podcast page for the most up-to-date list of previous podcast episodes. Also, you can access them individually here:
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  • The Chesapeake Conservancy's Shannon Thomas on the importance of live staking to restore streambanks.
  • Former Montour Preserve Land Management Specialist Richard Hess on memorable moments of the preserve while marking its 50th anniversary year this year.
  • Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's Alana Jajko on the new outdoor expo planned for June 4.
  • Aaron Eldred, watershed specialist with Columbia County Conservation District, on the importance of watershed groups and technology in the work he does.​
  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Ben Lorson on how road salt is increasing salinity in the state's waterways.
  • Environmentalist Doug Fessler on his efforts to clean up litter along the river, and how others can do the same.
  • Wildlife Leadership Academy executive director Michele Kittell Connolly on efforts to recruit new youth into this summer's programming.
  • Artist Mickayla Poland on a mural project in Elk County that raises stormwater awareness.
  • Roambler.com creator Katie Caputo on why it is so important to get people outdoors.
  • Catawissa Creek Restoration Association President Ed Wytovich on the threats that keep the Catawissa from reaching its potential and how people can get involved.
  • Retired PA Game Commission Wildife Diversity Supervisor Dan Brauning on the lessons learned from bald eagle and osprey restoration.
  • DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on parks, waterway buffers and connecting people to the outdoors.
  • DEP's Tom Mears and Randy Farmerie on petroleum spills on our waterways.
  • Author Colin Jerolmack on his new book looking at fracking impacts within our watershed.
  • Penn State educator Pete Allison on the power of connecting people to our natural resources.
  • Wild Trout Man Dr. Joseph Simons III on his video series showcasing wild trout fly fishing and the conservation needed to clean up our waterways and protect our natural resources.
  • Eric Skrivseth and Eric Rosengrant, of the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association, talk about their efforts to clean up the waterway over the past year.
  • Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition of Abandoned Mine Reclamation's Bobby Hughes on the widespread issue of Abandoned Mine Drainage.
  • Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association intern Danielle Tryon on her background and plans for the future.
  • ​Susquehanna University researcher and stream restoration expert Matt Wilson on a variety of local projects.
  • Hiawatha Paddleboat captain Mike Strunk on the history of the vessel heading into its 40th season, cool things he gets to see on the river so often and the importance of our Floating Classroom series.
  • PSU graduate student and musician William Ryan on his inspirational Songs of the Susquehanna submission and the importance of making changes for the river.
  • Susquehanna University intern Morgan Thomas on being one of two summer interns for the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.
  • Watershed management extension specialist for the Penn State Extension Tyler Groh chats about agricultural and urban stormwater issues.
  • PSU graduate research assistant Kathryn Hayden on endocrine disruptors in our waterways.
  • DEP aquatic biologist supervisor Douglas Orr on the Black Fly Suppression Program.
  • Outdoor educator Lou Ann Gasperine on why young people need outdoor education.
  • Master naturalist Jon Beam talks about the importance of vernal pools and how we can better protect them.
  • Hellbender researcher Peter Petokas on trends in hellbender populations and how we can protect the species.
  • Columbia County Conservtion District water specialist Brittney Hartzell on waterway issues within the county and the importance of stepping up to make a difference.
  • PennEnvironment researcher Faran Savitz on a recent study that shows a microplastic proliferation in waterways across the state.
  • Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's Corey Ellison on how her organization connects the region's land and water trails.
  • Pennsylvania Master Naturalist director Michele Richards on the program and the impact of naturalists with our environmental resources.
  • Bass pro and high school educator Casey Magaragle on his fishing exploits, Sneaky Hollow Bait Company and the thrill of coaching students to state and national fishing titles.
  • Brenda Sieglitz on the Keystone10 Million Trees Partnership, how trees help clean up our waterways and the need for 1,300 new landowners to come forward for free trees from the program in the next year.
  • Former state representative and senator Franklin Kury on his efforts to spark the Clean Water Act and Environmental Rights Amendment, the 50th anniversary of the movement and his new book due out soon. 
  • Veterinarian Kathleen Mullen on her study involving sick foals and potential ties to fracking.
  • Andrew Dehoff, of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, on the group's 50th anniversary.
  • Don Shappelle, musician, on creating river songs with young people and the Songs of the Susquehanna project.
  • John Levitsky, water specialist for the Luzerne County Conservation District, on abandoned mine drainage at the Plainsville Borehole Discharge.
  • Cain Chamberlin, of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, on the Tunkhannock Creek's nomination for River of the Year.
  • R. John Dawes, the creator of the Water Report app that allows anglers and others to share their catches and help us track health trends in our fish species.
  • Kathleen Lavelle, of Trout Unlimited, on a unique fish relocation project she helped oversee, trout-based trends in the region and the importance of volunteering
  • John Dawes, of the Foundation for PA Watersheds, on assisting smaller watershed groups, acid mine drainage and other waterway threats.
  • ProtectNorthernPA.org founder Diana Dakey on her concerns about the production and transportation of liquified natural gas.
  • Teen kayaker and angler Lila Oast on how kayaking has opened doors for her.
  • Outdoor educator Jon Beam and Audubon member Gary Metzger with an overview of duck species and the threats they face in our watershed.
  • Renee Carey of the Northcentral Pa. Conservancy on the importance of preservation and public access.
  • Benjamin Hayes, director of Bucknell University's Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program on health of the river.
  • Salmon angler Steve Kurian on benefits of clean water and fresh fish.
  • Educator Van Wagner on his unique Eels in the Classroom program and the importance of eels.
  • Waterkeeper Alliance Executive Director Marc Yaggi on growing up in the Middle Susquehanna watershed and his quest in the fight for clean water.
  • Outdoor educator Jolene Connelly on the importance of getting youth and women on our waterways
  • Diving instructor Rich Best on trends, treasures and threats under the Susquehanna
  • Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers spokesperson Tali MacArthur on the importance of assisting a watershed group
  • Falconer Mike Dupuy on raptors of our river and the threats they face
  • Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker on the agency's efforts during COVID and the historic unexpected start to trout season
  • Wesley Forest Camp director Emily Sliski with stories of getting young people engaged with nature at camp and on the Penns Creek
  • Professional angler and YouTuber John Oast on how he got his start, what he has learned along the way and observations of the river
  • Biologist David Lieb on the concerning trend of exotic crayfish eradicating native species in our watershed and how it is impacting the ecosystem
5 Comments
Matthew Miller
4/18/2022 03:15:20 pm

Excellent work and great interview. Your work upstream from us in the watersheds of PA. can only help the inland bays and streams here in lower Delaware. We have problems now with insecticides and fertilizers in our waterways from all of the new developments (and their perfectly manicured lawns and shrubs) being built in the coastal towns. Both the Chesapeake Bay to our west and the Delaware Bay to our east have gotten poor marks because of the conditions of the waterways that feed these large bodies of water. If we can at least keep pharmaceuticals out of the water, we might have a fighting chance to take the steps necessary to clean up our own mistakes. Thank you for your excellent work.

Reply
Lou Ann Tom link
4/18/2022 03:31:43 pm

Thank you Matthew. You are very knowledgeable and I am glad I can help at least a little. We are all in this together!

Reply
Weston Miller
4/23/2022 01:48:14 pm

Great job Lou Ann on your years of work in trying to clean our important water ways of chemicals here and surrounding counties and states.

Reply
Lou Ann Tom link
4/25/2022 08:34:52 am

Thank you Weston!

Reply
pat pasley
4/25/2022 01:05:32 pm

Suggestion. Require any business that sells pharmaceuticals to also recycle unused items. My local Walgreens told me would not take my old medicine for proper disposal.

Reply



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    John Zaktansky is an award-winning journalist and avid promoter of the outdoors who loves camping, kayaking, fishing and hunting with the family.

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