Lapeer woman inspires federal legislation on medical waste disposal

By PHIL FOLEY
Staff Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Lapeer woman's concerns about drug disposal have made their way into a piece of federal legislation that could lead to the investment of close to $14 billion in local wastewater treatment projects.
When Gail St. Laurent's mother, Shirley White, lost her battle with lung cancer last January the Oregon Township woman became concerned on two levels as she watched caregivers flush thousands of dollars of medication down the toilet.

One concern was that exotic chemicals were being flushed into the environment and the other was that perfectly good medicine was being disposed of while uninsured people were going without.

St. Laurent noted that just before her mother died, her insurance carrier paid $1,500 for 30 doses of a medication designed to boost cancer patients' appetite, but she only took four doses.

St. Laurent said she decided, "there's got to be a better way," so she shared her concerns with U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township). The 10th District represented by Miller includes Lapeer County.

St. Laurent's concerns found their way into a amendment to the Water Quality Investment Act that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.

A spokesman for the congresswoman noted currently there is no uniform standard for health clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities for disposing unused medicine in a responsible manner. Facilities are required by law to get rid of the medications, and have been doing so by flushing them down toilets, thus introducing levels of pollutants into waterways.

Last spring the Associated Press released the results of a five-month study that found traces of drugs ranging from antibiotics and anti-convulsants to mood stabilizers and sex hormones in drinking water supplies in 24 major metropolitan areas across the country, including Detroit.

Studies like this one have lead environmental groups to express concerns about the effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment on wildlife as well as people.

In announcing House passage of the Water Quality Investment Act, Miller said "I want to thank my friend Gail St. Laurent, not only for the loving care she gave to her mother, but also for bringing this serious issue to my attention. Losing a loved one is a terrible situation, but Gail endeavored to make something good happen from that instance in her life. As it is now, medical facilities are required to dispose of unused medications, and the methods they must use unfortunately pollute our waterways. We can do better than that, but we have to work together to find a solution."

Miller was one of 73 Republicans who joined 244 House Democrats to pass the bill 317-101. Republicans, angered over pro-labor wage requirements in the legislation, cast all 101 of the no votes.

If approved in the House form by the Senate, the legislation would provide $13.8 billion over five years in federal grants to the Clean Water State Revolving Funds, the primary mechanism for local governments to improve their wastewater systems. The bill would provide negative-interest loans and principal forgiveness to economically hard hit communities and give others up to 30 years to repay loans.

In addition to wastewater infrastructure projects the bill provides funding for other programs to improve water quality around the country that would bring the total to $18.7 billion over the next five years .

"In Michigan,' noted Miller, "we have a number of projects that are ready to go. This funding is necessary for our localities to finish necessary wastewater projects that will improve and upgrade antiquated systems."

The measure also authorizes $750 million for projects to clean up contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. Miller said this has been an ongoing effort, having thus far seen 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed; however, there are large areas that remain to be improved.

"While some great work has been done to clean up the Great Lakes so far, we have only seen one spot de-listed as an Area of Concern," said Miller, referring to thirty-one Areas of Concern that remain to be remediated in the United States. "For these Areas to be dealt with, it will take an incredible investment at the Federal level."

A spokesman for Miller said, "We're hopeful the Senate will act on this soon." If the legislation is approved, the EPA would have up to 12 months to report back to Congress on Miller's amendment.

"This is a very important issue," said St. Laurent. "There are a lot of people with cancer and their flushing thousands of dollars of unopened medicines. I am so thankful she stepped up on this."