Triton x-100 is a non-ionic surfactant with various uses in the pharmaceutical industry, including for cleaning and as an ingredient in some medicinal products. Water contamination with TX-100 is being closely monitored as the substance has been placed into Annex XIV of the REACH regulation. We removed over 99% of Triton X-100 from pharmaceutical wastewater.
We have worked with several pharmaceutical companies to remove Triton X-100 form water. We have reduced it from high concentrations to low and from low concentrations to trace levels, depending on the requirements of the customer.
Our Nyex Ellenox has reduced Triton X from various concentrations such as 1000 mg/l to 0.2/mg/l (99.98%) and from 16mg/L to 0.01mg/L.
How Ellenox works
Triton X 100 also known as Octylphenol ethoxylate is a non-ionic surfactant used in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector. One purpose of Triton X 100 is to breakdown the membrane of living cells to extract proteins. The chemical is also used for various industrial applications including removing viruses from vaccines and as a detergent in pharmaceutical applications.
Triton X 100 which is part of the substance group 4 – (1,1,3,3 tetramethylbutyl) phenol ethoxylated also known as 4-tert-OPnEO. The chemical degradation by-products have endocrine disrupting properties that can have damaging effects on humans and the aquatic environment.
The other names that Triton X 100 goes by can be seen below:
Triton X 100 was first initially listed as a chemical of high concern in 2016 based on its endocrine disrupting properties. Research has shown the substance is dangerous due to it breaking down easily into octyphenol which is a toxic chemical that can be very persistent in the environment.
The European parliament has now restricted the use of Triton X 100 and has placed the substance into the Annex XIV of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REECH). This means the substance cannot be used or placed on the market after the sunset date which was January 4th, 2021.
Authorisation was granted to some applicants to allow them to continue to use Triton X 100. However, those who are authorised to use the substance now need to entirely remove Triton X 100 from their wastewater to comply with the current regulations.
Triton X 100 belongs to the substance group 4 – (1,1,3,3 tetramethylbutyl) phenol, ethoxylated and are part of a group of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). Triton X 100 banned in the EU due to it being an EDC, it is evident it can have damaging impact on livestock and wildlife. The chemical degrades into octylphenol and can cause severe pollution in freshwater if not properly treated.
As from January 4th 2021, the use of Triton X 100 was banned and can now only be used by those who hold an exemption certificate, but on the condition that they reduce Triton X 100 from their wastewater down to trace levels. Companies now will need to adopt in an efficient industrial wastewater treatment system for Triton X 100 removal, this is to prevent the toxic chemical from being released into the environment.
Jerome Budin
Water Treatment Consultant
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