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Low levels of pharmaceuticals have been found in separate tests of the same Tucson-area well conducted last month and six years ago.
But there's no sign of any health risks from these compounds in such low concentrations, said a spokesman for Tucson Water, which owns the well.
"All medical studies done so far show no impact at these levels," said Mitch Basefsky, the spokesman. "What has happened is that the technology of detections of these chemicals goes far beyond the technology for measuring human effects."
The well, located in the Continental Ranch area of Marana, turned up with pharmaceutical concentrations in the parts-per-trillion level in both rounds of tests. There was some overlap in the chemicals found in the tests.
Carbamazepine, an anti-convulsant and mood stabilizer, and sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic often used to treat urinary tract infections, were found in the tests conducted in August and in 2002.
Dehydronifedipine, a byproduct of a popular heart medication, was found in the 2002 test. Lopromide, a chemical injected into the body for use in X-rays, and triclosan, an antibacterial agent commonly used as a disinfectant or antiseptic in consumer products, turned up in the August tests.
— Compiled by Tony Davis
On StarNet: Find stories and webcasts on health issues at azstarnet.com/health.

Tucson Region

At least 46 million exposed to meds in drinking water

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.12.2008
Testing prompted by an Associated Press story that revealed trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in drinking-water supplies has shown that more Americans are affected by the problem than previously thought — at least 46 million.
That's up from 41 million people reported by the AP in March as part of an investigation into the presence of pharmaceuticals in the nation's waterways.
The AP stories prompted federal and local legislative hearings, brought about calls for mandatory testing and disclosure, and led officials in at least 27 additional metropolitan areas to analyze their drinking water.
Positive tests were reported in 17 cases, including Reno, Nev.; Savannah, Ga.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Huntsville, Ala. Results are pending in three others.
The test results, added to data from communities and water utilities that bowed to pressure to disclose earlier test results, produce the new total of Americans known to be exposed to drug-contaminated drinking-water supplies.
The overwhelming majority of U.S. cities have not tested drinking water. Eight cities — including Boston, Phoenix and Seattle — were relieved that tests showed no detections.
"We didn't think we'd find anything because our water comes from a pristine source, but after the AP stories we wanted to make sure and reassure our customers," said Andy Ryan, spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities.
The substances detected in the latest tests mirrored those cited in the earlier AP report.
Chicago, for example, found a cholesterol medication and a nicotine derivative. Many cities found the anti-convulsant carbamazepine.
Officials in one of those communities, Colorado Springs, say they detected five pharmaceuticals in all, including a tranquilizer and a hormone.
"This is obviously an emerging issue, and after the AP stories came out, we felt it was the responsible thing for us to do, as a utility, to find out where we stand," said Colorado Springs spokesman Steve Berry.
"We believe that at these levels, based on current science, that the water is completely safe for our customers," Berry said.
Researchers are finding evidence that even extremely diluted concentrations of pharmaceutical residues harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species in the wild and impair the workings of human cells in the laboratory.
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