Medical facilities are point sources for the wastewater discharge of medications, antiseptics, and disinfectants. The significance of these medical pollutants and their interaction with the environment has arisen because of their ongoing use, both historically and throughout the previous three years of the pandemic. Therefore, identification and active removal of these chemicals is necessary. In light of the increased use of antiseptics and disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic a surge in their concentration would be anticipated in wastewaters from both medical and household usage. To accomplish quantitative remediation of these antiseptics and disinfectant-contaminated wastewaters, using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) that utilize the hydroxyl radical, it is essential to have a complete understanding of the radical kinetics and reaction mechanisms occurring. In this study, we have determined absolute second-order rate constants for two common dental antiseptics and three quaternary ammonium disinfectants that are now expected to be found in wastewaters.

Remediation of medical antiseptics and ammonium disinfectants in wastewater

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ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.