A wide array of pharmaceuticals has been found in the drinking water of at least 41 million Americans, an AP investigation reveals.

The research showed that the concentration of the discovered medicaments, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones is low in the water supplies.

However, there is heightening concerns over the alarming effects of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen on human cells.

The drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas, from Southern California to Northern New Jersey.

The contaminated water is resulted from people taking pills; their bodies absorb some of the medication but the rest of it passes through into the wastewater.

Although the water discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes is cleansed at drinking water treatment plants but it can not remove all drug residues.

CS/HGH