What 3 Drugs Found In Tampa Bay Redfish
What 3 drugs found in Tampa Bay Redfish? A new study has found that Florida’s redfish are contaminated with pharmaceuticals. The study by Florida International University and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust discovered that every redfish has a heart medicine called Tambocor in its system. The research also found that redfish throughout Florida have an average of two different drugs in their blood, with those caught in Tampa Bay having three. The study examined the species’ blood for 94 commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals.
The research revealed that almost 90% of Tampa Bay redfish had Tramadol, a heavy-duty opioid pain reliever, in their blood and tissue. Additionally, two out of every five redfish were contaminated with psychoactive drugs that treat depression and schizophrenia. Although the drug concentrations found in each fish were small, it is noteworthy that even trace levels were detected. The study highlights the urgent need to modernize Florida’s wastewater treatment systems and dispose of medications responsibly.
The research shows that drugs that we take end up in our waters and can be harmful to fish. The study’s results emphasize the need for communities to invest in modern wastewater treatment technologies that remove not only bacteria and nutrient pollution but also other contaminants. The public can help by supporting improvements to wastewater treatment plants and being more mindful about what they flush down the toilet. TBT