India could create the next superbug if its pharmaceutical wastewater isn’t treated properly!
If untreated pharmaceutical wastewater is released into freshwater sources, it could have a number of disturbing consequences. Field tests have shown that residues of oral contraceptives are leading to the feminization of fish and amphibious animals. Similarly, the residues of psychiatric drugs are bringing unpredictable changes in fish behavior.
On a more serious note, residues of antibiotics and antifungal drugs cause microbes in freshwater bodies to develop resistance to these compounds, turning them into superbugs.
India produces one-fifth of the world’s generic drugs. A 2017 study published in the journal ‘Infection’ identified exceedingly high levels of antibiotic and antifungal drug residue in water sources in and around a major drug production hub in Hyderabad. It was also found that the bacteria and fungi in these water bodies had become resistant to these dugs!
In response to such situations, developed countries such as the US FDA are introducing environmental regulations for drugs imported into the country. Similar stems have been recommended by the OECD to its members.
Treating pharmaceutical wastewater is vital for India from the environment as well as business perspective.
What makes pharmaceutical wastewater so dangerous?
Pharmaceutical wastewater has a complex composition. It does not easily biodegrade. Additionally, different pharmaceutical companies and different medicines have different processes. Hence, there is variation in the composition of the wastewater. The practice of batch processing followed by pharmaceutical firms compounds the challenge.
Characteristics of pharmaceutical wastewater include
- High BoD, CoD and TDS
- High concentration of salts, dissolved metals
- High toxicity
- Non-biodegradable organic pollutants
Treating pharmaceutical wastewater
The methods used to treat pharmaceutical wastewater vary depending on the range of compounds present in the process water.
Key water treatment technologies used to treat pharmaceutical wastewater
Ultrafiltration (UF):
The Ultrafiltration technology uses a series of membranes to remove emulsified oils, metal hydroxides, emulsions, dispersed material, suspended solids, and other materials with heavier large molecular weight.
Ultrafiltration (UF) systems do not have a fixed design and configuration. Instead, they combine various types of membrane configurations, submergence and flow pattern. In many cases, UF systems are deployed in combination with other subsystems. The design considerations and other filtration mechanisms to be combined with the UF system are generally the first consideration
UF systems use fiber membranes with pore size between 1-100nm to reliably produce high-quality water. Inovar UF systems are highly automated and intuitive, endowed with the capability to filter microbes, viruses, pathogens, alongside suspended solids, turbidity, particulate metals, and coagulated organic matter.
Reverse Osmosis (RO):
Reverse Osmosis is also a membrane-based technology. However, RO has a semi-permeable membrane that filters dissolved solids and salts while allowing pure water to pass through. Factors such as composition and flow of process water are considered in designing the RO system. A properly designed Ro system can remove dissolved slats with up to 99.5% efficiency
Inovar has six years of experience in providing Reverse Osmosis systems to produce ultrapure water for pharmaceutical applications. Inovar RO system is a fully automatic PLC-based system designed for reliable high performance and durability. The RO system is combined with an EDI unit to produce high purity water that meets water quality norms as per ISEP USP and cGMP standards set for the Pharmaceutical industry.
Electrodialysis(ED).
Electrodialysis combines the electrolytic and dialysis diffusion process. A DC electric current is introduced in the process water. Due to this, dissolved salts are split into anions and cations which are attracted to the anode and the cathode in the process tank.
ED uses lower energy and thus has lower costs than RO, but has a lower desalination efficiency than the RO system.
Vacuum evaporation and distillation: This process uses vacuum evaporators to separate water from pollutants. Vacuum evaporation has the highest water recovery rate of all processes. The Vacuum evaporators speed up the evaporation process and process water between 1-120 tons per day. Vacuum evaporation is capable of residual total solids concentrations of more than 85%
Types of vacuum evaporators used
- Heat pumps
- Mechanical vapor recompression
- Hot and cold water circulation
- Advanced oxidation processes
Apart from these major technologies, processes such as coagulation, sedimentation, and advanced oxidation processes are used to treat pharmaceutical wastewater. Advanced oxidation generates hydroxyl radicals to remove pollutants such as halogenated hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, phenol, etc), detergents, dyes, etc
Popular advanced oxidation processes include
electrochemical oxidation,
catalytic ozonation,
anodic oxidation,
combination of ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen peroxide,
Fenton’s reagent
photocatalysis
Conclusion
The design of an efficient wastewater treatment plant for pharmaceuticals depends on the volume and characteristics of the effluent. Working closely with water treatment experts to obtain a suitable treatment plant at reasonable costs.
Inovar helps pharmaceutical companies achieve a reliable water quality compliant with relevant regulations. Inovar provides an entire range of water management services ranging from feasibility studies to designing, manufacturing, and installation of wastewater treatment plants under one roof. Our team of experts works closely with the customers to study their requirements and design customized and compact water treatment systems for any size and capacity desired.
For additional cost-saving, all of Inovar’s wastewater treatment solutions are backed by annual maintenance contracts.
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