Authorities are alerting the public about possible contamination of water due to abortion pills.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has informed that it is reviewing feedback from 14 state attorneys general regarding the classification of mifepristone as a water contaminant.
“Substances like mifepristone consist of a range of chemicals, comprising both prescription and over-the-counter medications,” an EPA spokesperson mentioned. “Right now, EPA is looking into the comments related to the draft Contaminant Candidate List 6 (CCL 6), which includes pharmaceuticals as a category and evaluates the Human Health Benchmark for 374 specific drugs approved by the FDA that could appear in surface and groundwater, as well as in treated drinking water.”
“While the EPA can’t preemptively determine outcomes of rulemaking, the goal of the Sixth Draft Candidate Contaminant List is to initiate the evaluation of various contaminant categories, pharmaceuticals included, in drinking water. The agency’s mission, aligned with the Safe Drinking Water Act, is to ensure safe drinking water for the public,” the spokesperson added. “Numerous Americans have long been seeking clarity about the presence of pharmaceuticals in their water, and the EPA is committed to taking steps to address these worries.”
For over a year, there have been growing concerns among lawmakers regarding the potential impact that abortion pills may have on fertility rates within the general population.
A spokesperson for Republican Missouri Attorney General Kathleen Hannaway mentioned, “[Americans] deserve a scientifically grounded review of… [mifepristone’s] effects on wastewater and its implications for public health.” The spokesperson referred to a recent protest led on June 5, noting that reports indicated that at least 25 women using chemical abortion drugs had to be admitted to emergency rooms, often suffering from complications like severe bleeding, infections, or incomplete abortions requiring surgical intervention.
The letter sent by the attorneys warned about increased threats to the nation’s waterways. It argued that the FDA has relaxed several safeguards over the last decade that limit the public health risks posed by mifepristone, allowing contaminated waste to enter waterways and potentially be consumed by the public.
Mifepristone, a progesterone blocker used to terminate pregnancies, works by preventing the hormone progesterone from fostering the uterine lining necessary for embryo development. Recent studies indicated that this pill might influence the development of reproductive organs and fertility.
Last year, a group of 19 Congress members urged the EPA to investigate the environmental risks associated with the pill. Reports have suggested that flushed traces of progesterone antagonists could disturb fertility in both males and females after prolonged exposure.
“It’s imperative for the public to be aware that abortion pills are tainting our water resources,” stated Sandy Danek, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life, when discussing Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ involvement in the coalition. “During chemical abortions, which frequently take place at home, the remains are likely to be disposed of in toilets. Unlike medical facilities that follow protocols for medical waste, tissues and fluids are treated casually, which wastewater facilities are not equipped to handle properly.”
However, some are skeptical about the claims regarding mifepristone’s environmental dangers.
“There is no substantial evidence supporting this as an environmental issue,” argued Nathan Donley, Director of Environmental Health Sciences at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Pharmaceutical waste can indeed be a major problem when discussing commonly used medications, but singling out mifepristone as a significant issue is misleading.”
The Center for Biological Diversity is recognized as a center-left environmental advocacy and legal organization.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, nearly two-thirds of abortions are performed using medication such as mifepristone.
The U.S. Supreme Court decided on actions to safeguard access to medical abortions, which, according to previous reports, met significant pushback from pro-life advocates.
