The Stillaguamish Tribe is working with the city of Arlington and the USGS to look at the levels of pharmaceuticals that contaminate our rivers.

The Herald:

Hormone replacement pills and other drugs, along with dandruff shampoo, perfumes and other personal-care products that go down the drain could be hurting life in the Stillaguamish River.

The Stillaguamish Tribe is concerned that chronic, low-level exposure to chemical contaminants is creating a toxic environment that could hurt chinook salmon and cause reproductive problems for the fish.

The U.S. Geological Survey has figured out how to spot such chemicals in the water and has enlisted the help of the city of Arlington to do a two-year investigative study on what are called “emerging contaminants” in the river.