Traces of prescription drugs and other medicines detected in drinking water are becoming a growing environmental and public safety concern nationwide.

One recent study conducted by the Associated Press found small amounts of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen in drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas. While medicine that passes through the body unabsorbed is one source of pharmaceutical contaminants, another source is unused medicine that is disposed of improperly.

"Unused drugs have to be handled with extreme care to reduce water contamination," said Michigan Sea Grant Director Don Scavia. "Many organizations have been following best practices for some time now. However, it is critical that we all learn how to better protect water. Public education about proper disposal can help reduce the risk to our communities, as well as for fish and wildlife."

To address this growing issue, Michigan Sea Grant, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG), and the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, will sponsor a one-day workshop to help communities, pharmacies, and medical facilities safely manage the disposal of unused medicine.

The workshop, Unwanted Medicine Disposal: Doing it the Right Way, will be held April 2, 2008, at Cleary University, Johnson Center, in Howell, Mich., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will cover proper disposal methods, best practices from solid waste facilities and other organizations, and tools to help communities develop pharmaceutical collection programs.

Among the tools to be presented is an innovative pharmaceutical waste toolkit developed by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program.

"This tool kit provides information on all aspects of organizing a community collection event," said Susan Boehme, IISG coastal sediment specialist. "These resources are intended for waste management officials and others who are interested in developing programs to address the problem of unwanted medicines in the environment."

Scheduled speakers include staff from the DEQ, Macomb County Health Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment, Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste program, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, Michigan Sea Grant and other organizations and businesses concerned with safe medicine disposal practices.

Following morning presentations, afternoon workshop sessions will be divided into two groups-those focusing on collection events, and those geared toward medical facilities.

The workshop registration deadline is March 27, 2008. Registration can be done online at http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops (see Upcoming DEQ Workshops, Unwanted Medicine: Michigan Workshop to Assist Communities, Pharmacies in Safe Disposal of Unused Medicine)

The workshop fee of $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch and workshop materials.

For additional registration information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1.800.662.9278, or e-mail deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

Michigan Sea Grant, a joint program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 30 university-based programs. Michigan Sea Grant promotes knowledge of the Great Lakes through education, research and outreach.