Comments on: Prozac ingredient in Great Lakes killing off microbes, including E. coli http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 15:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: surreality http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123084 surreality Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123084 Very, very small amounts of e. coli can also exist in treated water. Usually not enough to be harmful. They found a sample near where I go to school, but after extensive testing found no other samples, so the water was safe. (would've sucked, whole water supply to university would've been contaminated) Very, very small amounts of e. coli can also exist in treated water. Usually not enough to be harmful. They found a sample near where I go to school, but after extensive testing found no other samples, so the water was safe.

(would’ve sucked, whole water supply to university would’ve been contaminated)

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122830 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122830 that's really depressing that’s really depressing

]]> By: millrick http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122832 millrick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122832 also, homeopathy also, homeopathy

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122838 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122838 Is it killing of the cyanophora and related blue greens? If that's the case its a major issue, and fairly scary. Reminds me of the Italian study tracking cocaine use in cities by presence of its metabolites in waste water. Good study for certain. Science, it works b@@ches. pardon spelling, grammar and general coherence, I'm about to get on a plane, and self medicating. also, consider the validity of using captcha as an anti drunken driving mechanism for cars. Is it killing of the cyanophora and related blue greens?
If that’s the case its a major issue, and fairly scary. Reminds me of the Italian study tracking cocaine use in cities by presence of its metabolites in waste water. Good study for certain. Science, it works b@@ches.

pardon spelling, grammar and general coherence, I’m about to get on a plane, and self medicating. also, consider the validity of using captcha as an anti drunken driving mechanism for cars.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122839 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122839 Hey, I get my drinking water from there. It sounds like it's probably not a good idea to be polluting our water with such chemicals, but... I'm actually kind of mellow about it. Hey, I get my drinking water from there. It sounds like it’s probably not a good idea to be polluting our water with such chemicals, but… I’m actually kind of mellow about it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122843 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122843 Ahh.. this makes me wonder if some of its action might be attributable to flora interaction in the gut.. killing off some offending critter. As I age, I begin to feel so much of our health is a matter of the complex galaxy of little beasties floating around in us as much as our "own" organ activity. So if you had something that might contribute to your agitation, and prozac (while working in the brain) also interacted with your own flora... Ahh.. this makes me wonder if some of its action might be attributable to flora interaction in the gut.. killing off some offending critter. As I age, I begin to feel so much of our health is a matter of the complex galaxy of little beasties floating around in us as much as our “own” organ activity. So if you had something that might contribute to your agitation, and prozac (while working in the brain) also interacted with your own flora…

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122846 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122846 A prozac environment... A prozac environment…

]]> By: Robert http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122853 Robert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122853 Don't worry about it: the bacteria will figure out a way to survive. And they'll be damn happy at the same time. Don’t worry about it: the bacteria will figure out a way to survive. And they’ll be damn happy at the same time.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122855 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122855 Exactly! The Prozac has been diluted to homeopathic levels. Therefore, it has the _opposite_ effect on the bacteria. They get sad, and die :( Exactly! The Prozac has been diluted to homeopathic levels. Therefore, it has the _opposite_ effect on the bacteria. They get sad, and die :(

]]> By: krake http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122882 krake Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122882 A cure for the EHEC epidemic in Germany and other countries in Europe? A cure for the EHEC epidemic in Germany and other countries in Europe?

]]> By: Alvis http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122888 Alvis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122888 CLEAN lake water contains E. coli and enterococcus? CLEAN lake water contains E. coli and enterococcus?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122897 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122897 After growing up in Cleveland, and drinking (delicious) Lake Erie tap water most of my life, I wish those fluoxetine levels were much higher. After growing up in Cleveland, and drinking (delicious) Lake Erie tap water most of my life, I wish those fluoxetine levels were much higher.

]]> By: CANTFIGHTTHEDITE http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122902 CANTFIGHTTHEDITE Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122902 Yes, that's why drinking water is treated. Water that looks perfectly clean can still be contaminated. Yes, that’s why drinking water is treated. Water that looks perfectly clean can still be contaminated.

]]> By: Joe http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122905 Joe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122905 If it keeps up, the microbes will develop an immunity to the stuff in a relatively short time. If it keeps up, the microbes will develop an immunity to the stuff in a relatively short time.

]]> By: Alvis http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122913 Alvis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122913 I dispute it can be called "clean", then. Natural, unpolluted, whatever - but clean? No. I dispute it can be called “clean”, then. Natural, unpolluted, whatever – but clean? No.

]]> By: hubbledeej http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122915 hubbledeej Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122915 They don't call it Viagra-on-the-Lake for nothing. They don’t call it Viagra-on-the-Lake for nothing.

]]> By: CANTFIGHTTHEDITE http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122924 CANTFIGHTTHEDITE Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122924 If it was perfectly clean, then it wouldn't be lake water. When they're saying "clean" they probably mean that it isn't contaminated from non-lake sources (e.g. human waste). I'm not an expert on lake ecology, but I'd imagine that the aforementioned bacteria are part of the natural ecosystem. Clean can be a relative term. If it was perfectly clean, then it wouldn’t be lake water. When they’re saying “clean” they probably mean that it isn’t contaminated from non-lake sources (e.g. human waste). I’m not an expert on lake ecology, but I’d imagine that the aforementioned bacteria are part of the natural ecosystem. Clean can be a relative term.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122927 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122927 So why doesn't it act as an antibiotic in humans who have many thousands of times that concentration in their bodies? So why doesn’t it act as an antibiotic in humans who have many thousands of times that concentration in their bodies?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123187 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123187 This is consistent with what scientists have been documenting for years. It first started in the river beds because there is no filtration system able to handle Prozac (and many other drugs). There is an article on CNN dated from 2003, just google "prozac found in fish" This is consistent with what scientists have been documenting for years. It first started in the river beds because there is no filtration system able to handle Prozac (and many other drugs). There is an article on CNN dated from 2003, just google “prozac found in fish”

]]> By: Gutierrez http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123202 Gutierrez Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123202 Anon #17: Prozac is most effective at killing gram-positive bacteria. A lot of the flora in your gut and tract are gram-negative (okay lot of wiggle room in this statement.) Also Prozac is more synergistic with antibiotics than it is an antibiotic itself. I would assume the water also has concentrations of antibiotics from various waste water sources as well and the prozac is helping it along. Science to back it up: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10773485 Anon #17:

Prozac is most effective at killing gram-positive bacteria. A lot of the flora in your gut and tract are gram-negative (okay lot of wiggle room in this statement.) Also Prozac is more synergistic with antibiotics than it is an antibiotic itself. I would assume the water also has concentrations of antibiotics from various waste water sources as well and the prozac is helping it along.

Science to back it up:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10773485

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122964 Clean lake water contains fish, too. If there weren't any, you'd have to wonder what's keeping them away, and how clean the lake really is. Clean lake water contains fish, too. If there weren’t any, you’d have to wonder what’s keeping them away, and how clean the lake really is.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122968 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122968 But it isn't "clean" even in that sense, since untreated sewage does go into Lake Erie, usually after heavy rains - the infrastructure can't handle lots of rainwater and sewage, so they open the floodgates into Lake Erie. But it isn’t “clean” even in that sense, since untreated sewage does go into Lake Erie, usually after heavy rains – the infrastructure can’t handle lots of rainwater and sewage, so they open the floodgates into Lake Erie.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122971 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122971 Sort of. Definitely microbes will develop immunity, but not necessarily all of them, or to the same degree, or at the same rate. The result is that fluoxetine will change the balance of microbial communities, and potentially influence the ecological roles they perform. Sort of. Definitely microbes will develop immunity, but not necessarily all of them, or to the same degree, or at the same rate. The result is that fluoxetine will change the balance of microbial communities, and potentially influence the ecological roles they perform.

]]> By: charming.quark http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122976 charming.quark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122976 I guess Prozac makes bacteria as uninterested in engaging in reproductive acts as it does humans. I guess Prozac makes bacteria as uninterested in engaging in reproductive acts as it does humans.

]]> By: _sin07_ http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122978 _sin07_ Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122978 I understand the concern for damaging a natural ecosystem, but i wonder if this information can be used for good? I don't have an understanding of current decontamination procedures and how costly / effiecient they are but it seems like this might be useful in areas where clean water isn't readily available? Perhaps its too slow and other methods work better seems like there's a silver lining in this somewhere. I understand the concern for damaging a natural ecosystem, but i wonder if this information can be used for good?

I don’t have an understanding of current decontamination procedures and how costly / effiecient they are but it seems like this might be useful in areas where clean water isn’t readily available?

Perhaps its too slow and other methods work better seems like there’s a silver lining in this somewhere.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122983 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122983 Eventually bacteria will not only develop a resistance to the chemical but they will feel unusually upbeat and have a positive outlook on life. Eventually bacteria will not only develop a resistance to the chemical but they will feel unusually upbeat and have a positive outlook on life.

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1122990 AnthonyC Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1122990 What do you define as "clean" then? It's necessarily a relative term. Very pure water- deionized water- is bad for you except in small doses. It disrupts your osmotic balance. I'm told it also tastes terrible. What do you define as “clean” then? It’s necessarily a relative term. Very pure water- deionized water- is bad for you except in small doses. It disrupts your osmotic balance. I’m told it also tastes terrible.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123000 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123000 this begs the question: can prozac be prescribed for an e. coli infection? this begs the question: can prozac be prescribed for an e. coli infection?

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123033 irksome Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123033 On the plus side, I notice the waters are a lot calmer these days. On the plus side, I notice the waters are a lot calmer these days.

]]> By: jjasper http://boingboing.net/2011/05/27/prozac-ingredient-in.html#comment-1123547 jjasper Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1123547 So when do we get to rename Lake Erie "Lake Placid"? So when do we get to rename Lake Erie “Lake Placid”?

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