Medicines, household chemicals flow into creeks.

Publication: Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, OH)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Akron Beacon Journal

Byline: Bob Downing

AKRON, Ohio _ Tinkers Creek is a pretty, tree-lined stream that meanders through southern Cuyahoga and northern Summit and Portage counties in Ohio. Its water quality is considered good, and it should be a good habitat for wildlife.

So where are all the fish?

Despite improved water quality, the fish population in this Cuyahoga River tributary has not improved in the last 20 years.

Now the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is looking at whether the culprit is a new water-pollution threat: tiny amounts of thousands of chemicals widely used in medications, beauty aids, cleaners and foods. These substances include caffeine, cotinine (from tobacco products), antibiotics, contraceptives, painkillers, antidepressants, hormones, steroids, chemotherapy drugs, insect repellents, veterinary medicines, soaps, perfumes, plasticizers and fire retardants.

``It's an emerging concern,'' said Steve Tuckerman, a water expert with the EPA. ``We don't know yet if it's a `Hey!' kind of problem or a `Holy s---!' kind of problem. There's a lot of work still to be...

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