UKE presents results of filtering drug residues from hospital wastewater

The researchers investigated how residues of medicines, germs and other micropollutants can be filtered out of hospital wastewater for over two and a half years. Biological purification using microorganisms was compared with technical processes such as membrane filtration or treatment with activated carbon. The study shows that all tested treatment options retain trace substances significantly better than biological treatment alone. The UKE also investigated the behaviour of multi-resistant pathogens in hospital wastewater.

"The findings of the research project show impressively what can be achieved with the various technical solutions. Promising new approaches such as nano-filtration can retain pharmaceutical residues, microplastics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria at the same time," said Jörn Einfeldt, a representative of the Pharm Cycle research group at HAW Hamburg. The results of the study are being incorporated into plans to upgrade Hamburg's wastewater treatment plant by adding a fourth treatment phase.
yes/sb/pb