Input and Elimination of Pharmaceuticals from Hospital Wastewater

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C05.0135

Key words (English)

hospital wastewater; pharmaceuticals; disinfectants; mass flux studies; wastewater treatment; membrane bioreactor; ozonation; activated carbon

Research programs (English)

COST-Action 636 - Xenobiotics in the urban water cycle

Short description (English)

The aim of the project is to evaluate the significance of hospitals as point sources in comparision to households for the input of pharmaceuticals into the environment. Case studies will be performed to assess mass fluxes of selected pharma-ceuticals as well as disinfectants in hospital wastewater. Predicted concentrations will be validated with measurements in all environmental compartments like hospital wastewater, sewage and surface water. In addition, possible technologies to treat hospital wastewater on-site by a combination of biological treatment and advanced oxidation will be evaluated to reduce the input of pharmaceuticals into the municipal wastewater and thereafter into the environment.

Partners and International Organizations (English)

AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, IE, IL, IT, LT, LU, LV, MK, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, TR, UK

Abstract (English)

The aim of the project is to evaluate the significance of hospitals as point sources in comparison to households for the input of pharmaceuticals into the environment and to propose measures how to reduce this input. A model is developed to compare the input from hospitals and households into surface waters. Case studies are performed to assess mass fluxes of selected pharmaceuticals as well as disinfectants in hospital wastewater. Predicted concentrations are compared to measurements of selected compounds in hospital wastewater and wastewater treatment plants to elucidate the relative importance of hospitals. In addition, possible technologies to treat hospital wastewater on-site by a combination of biological treatment and advanced treatment on pilot-plant scale are evaluated to reduce the input of pharmaceuticals into the municipal wastewater and thereafter into the environment.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C05.0135