Pharmaceutical Disposal and Water Quality For purposes of water
quality discussions, pharmaceuticals are usually grouped with
other chemicals found in water supplies and called
pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). PPCPs are a
diverse group of chemicals that include; (1) products we ingest
(or give to our pets and domesticated animals) to improve
health, which include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs,
pharmaceuticals (prescription medicines, nutritional
supplements, and veterinary drugs, (2) products we use to adorn
and clean ourselves, which include fragrances, lotions,
shampoos, antibacterial soaps, detergents, sunscreens,
cosmetics, and, (3) other chemicals used in various important
applications, which include pesticides, plasticizers, and
brominated flame retardants. All of these chemicals are used by
humans or given to animals and are finding their way into our
water supplies. The purpose of this fact sheet is to explain the
source of these chemicals, how they are getting into our water
supplie