Skip to content

Development of a compact, disposable filter to reduce the discharge of pharmaceutical waste into the sewer

Pdf

PDF Icon

European Statement

Production and Compounding

Author(s)

Annemarie Aart van der – Beek van der, Mattijs Maris, Erwin Koetse, Alex Hol, Meilof Feiken

Why was it done?

Hospital Pharmacies and especially the laboratories produce wastewater containing medicine residue. When this wastewater is discharged into sewage it contributes to the load of pharmaceutical residue and ultimately to pollution of surface-, ground and drinking water. To reduce this load, waste can be collected and transported to a processing facility for incineration and deactivation or alternatively treated locally. Our goal was to develop a practically applicable method that could effectively reduce the pharmaceutical sewage load locally, at the source.

What was done?

We developed a practical, compact, disposable filtration system that can be used on-site to reduce the amount of pharmaceutical residue in wastewater of our pharmaceutical laboratory. We tested and optimized the composition of the filter to effectively collect organic substances from locally produced wastewater (influent). We monitored filter performance and durability by analysis of filtrates (effluent).

How was it done?

Laboratory wastewater was collected during one month to yield 10 L influent. Portions of influent were filtered through 9 different types of filter packing and the effluents collected for analysis.
The influent reference and effluent samples were analysed using an iontrap LC/MS screening method using diazepam-D5 as an internal standard. The signal abundance 12 most relevant substances was chosen to evaluate the level of reduction by filtration. Based on these analyses, the optimal filter packing was determined.

What has been achieved?

In the effluent of the best performing filter packing, the abundance of 9 substances was reduced by 91,5-99,9%. The abundance for the other 3 substances was below detection limit.
Substances removed more >99%: atorvastatine, carbamazepine, clarithromycine, diclofenac, granisetron, midazolam, naproxen, propranolol and rocuronium. Substances removed between 91-99%: cefazolin, ephedrine and ropivacaine.

What next?

The optimal filter composition will be tested in practice in a test setup. In addition, cost effectiveness and sustainability compared to alternative waste collection methods will be evaluated.

COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION WITH CYTOSTATICS IN FOUR AUSTRIAN HOSPITALS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STANDARDISED TRAINING ABOUT SAFE HANDLING OF ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS ON THE WARD

Pdf

PDF Icon

European Statement

Production and Compounding

Author(s)

Martin Munz, Ewelina Korczowska, Maria Costa, Christine Petter, Shahla Farokhnia, Katharina Kronister, Sandra Dunkler, Thomas Schweiger, Martina Anditsch, Martina Jeske

Why was it done?

Several studies show that contamination with cytostatics is found on various work surfaces in hospitals [e.g., Chauchat L et al. 2018, Hon CY et al. 2014]. Wipe sampling for surface residue of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings is currently the method of choice to determine the workplace’s environmental contamination with these drugs [Connor TH et al. 2016].

What was done?

Hospital pharmacists of four Austrian hospitals (Vienna General Hospital, Innsbruck University Hospital, Landesklinikum Horn-Allentsteig, and Landesklinikum Zwettl) differing in size, logistic requirements and production capacity, equipment (but all using Closed System Devices), and involved staff participated in the MASHA (Research about Environmental Contamination by Cytotoxics And Management of Safe Handling Procedures) project of the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP).

How was it done?

In the first part of the project, surface contamination by cytostatics was investigated using wipe samples. Subsequently, training materials were developed and used for uniform training of medical staff involved in administering antineoplastic drugs. After the training, a second set of wipe samples of the same surfaces were taken and analyzed.

What has been achieved?

All four hospitals’ results in the first series of measurements were below the reference value given in the project of 0,1ng/cm², indicating “low” contamination. Only a small amount of samples show values between the limit of quantification (LOQ), dependent on the substance and analytical method, and 0,1ng/cm². The same is for the second series of wipe samples after the training. Considering that standards, recommendations or trainings by pharmacists or occupational health professionals has already been in place before this project, the impact of further training for the medical staff could not be quantified by measuring the residues. However, feedback from trained staff was exclusively positive, and our main objective to demonstrate that occupational exposure with cytostatics is low to non-detectable on our wards was achieved.

What next?

We want to encourage more hospitals to get involved in similar projects, and we hope that more powerful analytics will give us more answers for proper handling.

×

EAHP Forum

All the EAHP team is working on providing a Forum that can help connect all the members in Conversations and Groups to talk about important matters for the European Hospital Pharmacist.

The Forum will be accessible for all the EAHP members, you don’t have to create a new account to browse and participate.

Conversations and groups

The Conversations will be moderated by our team to provide documents and relevant topics for the community.

The Groups will connect all members that share a category. Members who work on the same assocation, on the same hospital, that have the same role, etc.

Stay tuned for the realase of the forum. Soon on EAHP.