Federal and state researchers plan to check Iowa waterways for antibiotics and possibly other drugs after an initial check of 30 streams raised questions about pollution. The government is checking the nation's waters for antibiotics, prescription drugs, perfumes, pain relievers and caffeine, among other things. Scientists fear some drugs will breed resistant bacteria that could be hard to treat. The checks also could help track sources of pollution. Doug Schnoebelen, of the U.S. Geological Survey's Iowa City office, said a 1999 check of 30 Iowa streams turned up antibiotics and other unnamed substances.
Farmers routinely feed animals the same types of antibiotics used by humans.
There were some things found in Iowa. We need lots of monthly tests before we can say anything. The new tests will check 23 streams, upstream and downstream of 10 cities.