Biological Treatment Methods for Pharmaceutical Wastewater

Abstract

The burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, marked by rapid advancements and high production volumes, has created a significant environmental challenge in the form of pharmaceutical wastewater. This wastewater, which contains a complex cocktail of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, and by-products, poses a formidable risk to aquatic ecosystems and human health. As pharmaceuticals are designed to be biologically active at low concentrations, their presence in wastewater can lead to unintended consequences, such as the development of drug-resistant microorganisms and disruptions in the endocrine systems of aquatic species. The challenge is further compounded by the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment technologies, which often fall short in effectively removing these contaminants. Conventional methods such as activated sludge and secondary treatment processes are typically designed to handle organic matter and nutrients but are not always equipped to tackle the specific challenges posed by pharmaceutical compounds.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.4018/979-8-3693-8487-9.ch011

Journal

Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies

Year

2025