Fish In British Rivers Are Testing Positive For Cocaine, Ketamine And MDMA
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Fish in rural waters across the UK are being exposed to illegal drugs, and scientists are yet to know the effect that these chemicals are having on their bodies.
Researchers at King's College London and University of Suffolk tested the chemical exposure of freshwater shrimp from 15 locations across Suffolk, finding cocaine in all the fish they tested, as well as Ketamine, and MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy.
The study also found other pharmaceuticals and several pesticides that are no longer approved for use in the EU.
Lead author, Dr Thomas Miller from King's College London said: "Although concentrations were low, we were able to identify compounds that might be of concern to the environment and crucially, which might pose a risk to wildlife.
"As part of our ongoing work, we found that the most frequently detected compounds were illicit drugs, including cocaine and ketamine and a banned pesticide, fenuron. Although for many of these, the potential for any effect is likely to be low."
While its expected to find traces of these chemicals in waterlife in the River Thames and London, scientists were surprised to find contaminated fish in the country's rural rivers.
Dr Leon Barron added: "Such regular occurrence of illicit drugs in wildlife was surprising. We might expect to see these in urban areas such as London, but not in smaller and more rural catchments.
"The presence of pesticides which have long been banned in the UK also poses a particular challenge as the sources of these remain unclear."
Professor Nicholas Bury from the University of Suffolk says that the impact of 'invisble' chemical pollution on wildlife should be treated with as much seriousness as microplastic pollution.
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"Environmental health has attracted much attention from the public due to challenges associated with climate change and microplastic pollution," he says.
"However, the impact of 'invisible' chemical pollution (such as drugs) on wildlife health needs more focus in the UK as policy can often be informed by studies such as these."