Triclosan Removal From Wastewater

Triclosan has found applications in both human and animal medicine. It has been used as an active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, hand sanitisers, and body washes to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, including MRSA.

In animal health, it has been used in veterinary products to control infections.

However, due to growing concerns about the environmental impact and potential health risks of Triclosan toxicity in water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has limited its use in certain products.

Triclosan can enter water bodies through wastewater effluents from industrial and municipal treatment plants, as well as agricultural runoff. Once released into the environment, Triclosan can persist for long periods, causing both short and long-term damage to aquatic organisms.

In aquatic ecosystems, Triclosan can disrupt the natural microbial communities and interfere with photosynthesis in algae, affecting the entire food chain.

Research has also suggested that Triclosan could contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria (AMR) posing a risk to human health.

The Nyex Rosalox process offers several benefits. Firstly, it operates at low-energy consumption levels, contributing to overall energy efficiency and cost savings. This makes the system economically viable and environmentally friendly, aligning with sustainable water treatment practices.

Additionally, the Rosalox™ system provides a continuous and reliable operation, allowing for the consistent removal of Triclosan and other contaminants.

Furthermore, it offers a key advantage in terms of its eco-friendliness. The system employs a non-hazardous oxidation process, minimising the use of chemicals and reducing the generation of harmful byproducts.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) has been widely used for Triclosan removal from wastewater. It is highly porous with a large surface area, providing an ideal medium for adsorption of contaminants.

When water containing Triclosan comes into contact with GAC, the Triclosan molecules are attracted to the carbon surface and become adsorbed. The high surface area of GAC ensures a large number of adsorption sites.

However, GAC has limitations. One significant consideration is the issue of spent carbon. As GAC reaches its adsorption capacity, it becomes saturated with Triclosan and other contaminants. At this point, the spent carbon needs to be either replaced or regenerated to maintain the effectiveness of the system. To avoid more pollution, it’s important to properly dispose or regenerate spent carbon that contains high concentrations of pollutants.

Another consideration is the potential for competitive adsorption. GAC can absorb many substances. If there are other pollutants in the water, they can take up space on the carbon. This can result in competition with Triclosan and incomplete adsorption.

Furthermore, the contact time between the water and GAC plays a crucial role in the efficiency of Triclosan removal.

Ozone treatment is another approach used to remove Triclosan from water.

Ozone is a powerful oxidant and reacts with Triclosan in water, causing the Triclosan molecules to undergo oxidation. This breaks it down, making it inactive and turning it into less harmful byproducts. Ozone can efficiently oxidise a wide range of contaminants, including Triclosan, thereby ensuring effective removal. However, it is important to consider some potential challenges.

Ozone is a toxic gas that requires careful handling and appropriate safety measures to protect workers and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

In addition, the effective use of ozone for Triclosan removal requires optimising key operational parameters such as contact time, ozone dosage, and pH levels.

Furthermore, the cost of ozone generation and the associated infrastructure can be a significant investment.