10 Surprising Items You Must Never Pour Down the Drain

Medication

Advertisement

Pharmaceuticals are engineered to resist stomach acid and dissolve slowly, so they survive a toilet whirlpool with ease. Once in the sewage stream, many slip past treatment filters and seep into rivers where fish absorb trace amounts that disrupt hormones and breeding cycles.

Studies have detected painkillers, antidepressants, and antibiotics in tap water worldwide, raising concerns about long-term human exposure and accelerating antibiotic resistance. The safest route is a drug take-back program offered by pharmacies or local agencies. If no program exists, mix pills with used coffee grounds in a sealed bag before tossing them—never flush them away.