Sulfamethazine

Sulfamethazine is a common veterinary antibiotic. In a study, corn, lettuce, and potato plants all took up sulfamethazine from soils containing the drug. Sulfamethazine was found in the plant leaves as well as in the potato tubers. In the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey, an EPA study of 84 sewage sludge samples, 2 contained sulfamethazine.

In Drinking Water
An Associated Press investigation found that, of 62 metropolitan areas in the U.S., only 28 tested for pharmaceuticals, and 24 found pharmaceuticals in the drinking water when they tested it. Of those tested, Philadelphia tested positive for Sulfamethazine (as well as 55 other drugs).

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Biosolids
 * Sewage sludge
 * Food Rights Network

External articles

 * "Plants uptake antibiotics: Routine feeding of antibiotics to livestock may be contaminating the environment", Soil Science Society of America, July 11, 2007.