Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Mass Flows of X-ray Contrast Media and Cytostatics in Hospital Wastewater
 
research article

Mass Flows of X-ray Contrast Media and Cytostatics in Hospital Wastewater

Weissbrodt, David  
•
Kovalova, Lubomira
•
Ort, Christoph
Show more
2009
Environmental Science & Technology

Little is known about the significance of hospitals as point sources for emission of organic micropollutants into the aquatic environment. A mass flow analysis of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics used in hospitals was performed on the site of a representative Swiss cantonal hospital. Specifically, we analyzed the consumption of iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) and cytostatics in their corresponding medical applications of radiology and oncology, respectively, and their discharge into hospital wastewater and eventually into the wastewater of the municipal wastewater treatment plant. Emission levels within one day and over several days were found to correlate with the pharmacokinetic excretion pattern and the consumed amounts in the hospital during these days. ICM total emissions vary substantially from day to day from 255 to 1259 g/d, with a maximum on the day when the highest radiology treatment occurred. Parent cytostatic compounds reach maximal emissions of 8-10 mg/d. A total of 1.1%, 1.4%, and 3.7% of the excreted amounts of the cytostatics 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine,and 2’,2’-difluorodeoxyuridine (main metabolite of gemcitabine), respectively, were found in the hospital wastewater, whereas 49% of the total ICM was detected, showing a high variability among the compounds. These recoveries can essentially be explained by the high amount administered to out-patients (70% for cytostatics and 50% for ICM); therefore, only part of this dose is expected to be excreted on-site. In addition, this study emphasizes critical issues to consider when sampling in hospital sewer systems. Flow proportional sampling over a longer period is crucial to compute robust hospital mass flows.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1021/es8036725
Author(s)
Weissbrodt, David  
Kovalova, Lubomira
Ort, Christoph
Pazhepurackel, Vinitha
Moser, Ruedi
Hollender, Juliane
Siegrist, Hansruedi
McArdell, Christa S.
Date Issued

2009

Published in
Environmental Science & Technology
Volume

43

Issue

13

Start page

4810

End page

4817

Subjects

Hospital wastewater

•

pharmaceuticals

•

iodinated X-ray contrast media

•

cytostatics

•

5-fluorouracil

•

gemcitabine

•

2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine

•

substance flow analysis

•

mass transfer

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LBE  
Available on Infoscience
July 10, 2009
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/41259
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés