New York Sea Grant has partnered with the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant programs to help consumers act to keep unwanted medications and chemicals out of the Great Lakes. In Fall 2010, the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network members began a ”Dose of Reality” education campaign and, earlier this spring, NYSG's Coastal Education Specialist Helen Domske authored a four-page companion brochure, “Undo the Environmental Chemical Brew: Keep Unwanted Medications & Chemicals Out of the Great Lakes."

"Each day through improper disposal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products we add unwanted toxins to the finite system of freshwater that is the Great Lakes. This educational campaign is helping New Yorkers learn what they can do to reduce this troubling form of water pollution,” said New York Sea Grant Coastal Education Specialist Helen Domske, Buffalo, NY.

— Paul C. Focazio