When it made headlines earlier this year that sharks near Brazil had tested positive for cocaine , most people probably chuckled.
But it was more than just offbeat news — it shined a light on what could become a serious issue, which is the presence of drugs as an “emerging contaminant” in water, including in Idaho and the United States.
The amounts are not necessarily at a level yet that humans could be greatly affected, according to state officials, but there can be a profound impact on the environment.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Surface and Wastewater Division Administrator Mary Anne Nelson told the Idaho Statesman that the concentration of drugs is “likely” low enough that when treated water gets mixed with river or reservoir water, it shouldn’t harm human health.
The same isn’t necessarily true for fish and other organisms, she said.
“Antidepressants and other medications have been found to alter the behavior of fish and invertebrates, potentially affecting feeding, predator avoidance and reproductive success,” Nelson said.