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Wild swimmer said: ‘Drug pollution in the water is endangering my health’

Wild swimmer said: ‘Drug pollution in the water is endangering my health’

Local resident and open water swimmer Jill Turner said: “When we found out about antidepressants we laughed at first because when you go swimming in cold water you feel really cold!

“So what is this doing in our rivers?”

The stream is a Site of Special Scientific Interest; It is recognized as important for the reproduction of important species and the wider wildlife ecosystem.

The study found that 31 active pharmaceutical ingredients were found at 52 of 54 sampling points taken in winter and summer 2022 across England’s 10 protected national parks.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) refer to drugs that are biologically active and can reach our rivers when people flush drugs down the toilet or when our bodies excrete them after use.