Where laboratory wastewater comes from
Many automated IVD analyzers generate liquid waste containing residual reagents, chemicals and biological material associated with patient samples. Biochemistry, immunoassay, hematology and flow-cytometry analyzers all produce effluent, with volumes and composition that differ by platform and workload.
Analyzer effluent is usually split into concentrated and non-concentrated streams. In Maumee’s analyzer survey, the non-concentrated stream makes up most of the daily volume.
Why it needs managing
Because it can contain chemical reagents and biological contaminants, laboratory effluent is handled as a biohazardous liquid in many settings. Each handling step adds cost and operational risk, including the potential for spills and staff exposure.
Countries are introducing stricter environmental rules, and laboratories face growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint.
The two main approaches
- Collection and off-site disposal: effluent is collected in containers or holding tanks, stored on site and transported by a contractor for treatment or disposal.
- On-site treatment: effluent is treated at or near the analyzer, or centrally for the whole laboratory, then discharged to an approved drain, subject to local requirements.
The article Collection vs on-site treatment compares the two in more detail.
Treatment technologies used on site
The TRESA range uses three treatment approaches, chosen according to the effluent: controlled dilution followed by UV-C (TRESA CI and TRESA H), filtration followed by UV-C (TRESA CRD and TRESA CIH), and an advanced oxidation process combining ozone and UV-C for laboratory-wide effluent (TRESA TL).