Pharmaceuticals in drinking water has become an issue in recent years. It takes 99 years for them to leave, according to a new report by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a story in Great Lakes Echo reports today. They end up in the water from animal and human waste along with people flushing them down toilets.

Of 20 priority chemicals being examined, only fire-retardant remained in the water. I suppose that’s better news than might be, but I suspect that fire-retardant is good for no one. Wildlife and fish are also affected, according to the story.

“A 2009 Associated Press investigation discovered that at least 41 million Americans drink water with detectable levels of pharmaceuticals. Often water reports do not reveal results of pharmaceutical tests, the investigation discovered,” the story reported.

Read more: Bad Stuff in the Water.