Prozac and other drugs in Puget Sound waters and fish,
some of the highest levels reported in the country.
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Univ. of WA


– Editor’s Note:
While not a pretty picture, this issue is getting worldwide attention and having an impact here in the Pacific Northwest, which is so proud of our wild-caught fish. Also previously covered here was how this pertains to in the city of Yelm.


– “Americans are taking so many antidepressants they’re accumulating in fish brains in the wild”
“Traces of Prozac and other medications are showing up in wild fish.”

“Ten different species of fish in the Great Lakes have been found to have detectable levels of human antidepressants in their brains, including the active ingredients of Prozac, Zoloft and Sarafem.

Use of antidepressants in the US rose by 65% from 1999-2002 and 2011-14. This increase in consumption has also led to an increase in waste, with the antidepressant molecules finding their way into the natural environment.”

“The fish who had several different antidepressants in their brains were of particular concern, the researchers said. These chemicals built up over time, reaching concentrations of up to 20 times greater than in the river water itself. Further research will need to be carried out to determine what risk this poses to the fish and the wider ecosystem,” by Martha Henriques, IBTimes UK.
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