EnviroChemie GmbH - part of the EnviroWater Group articles

Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are detected on an increasing scale in the aquatic environment. The pharmaceuticals (such as drugs) mostly get into the surface and drinking water through the excretions of humans and animals; however, the wastewater of pharmaceutical production facilities can also be contaminated with active ingredients.

The production of pharmaceuticals takes place in two steps. In a first step, APIs as the central ingredients are produced by raw material. AP

Hoffmann-La Roche has set up a new facility in Toluca, Mexico for the production of two highly effective cancer treatment drugs. The wastewater generated in this context poses an ecotoxicological risk. Therefore, it needs to be eliminated at the source.

Various methods were tested and evaluated from an ecological and economic perspective.

According to preliminary studies, the best way to eliminate the active pharmaceutical ingredients is to use ozone. This involves addin