What Role Might Pet Owners Have on Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products Entering the Aquatic Environment?

There is little understanding on how pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are reaching our waterways, and information examining specifically the impacts of PPCPs on our rivers, streams, wetlands, estuaries, groundwater, and drinking water. Oregon State University and the Oregon Sea Grant College Program launched a national survey aimed to learn the decisions on the use, storage, and disposal of human and pet PPCPs. The majority of survey takers agreed they treat both their pets’ and human PPCPs similarly in storage and disposal. Findings quantify the current disposal practices of human and pet PPCPs as major pathways into the environment. Impacts of PPCPs on the aquatic environment was cited as a major concern for the public. Respondents cited the lack of PPCP stewardship information dictated their current practices. If provided proper information, many are willing to share information on proper use and disposal. Findings are intended for pet health professionals, public conservation agencies, organizations and educators in guiding outreach options that enable safer use, storage, and disposal practices. Safe and accessible stewardship and disposal practices for PPCPs will help to reduce the risks from misuse, accidental poisonings, abundance in the environment, and unintended impacts on aquatic life and water quality.