Advanced Treatment of Hospital Wastewater using POAs: Evaluation and Technological Application

Introduction: The study addressed the environmental problems associated with wastewater generated by hospitals, which contains contaminants that are difficult to remove using conventional methods. In Colombia, current regulations established strict limits for its discharge, which prompted the search for more effective technologies such as Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). Development: The research described the classification and composition of hospital liquid waste, as well as the physicochemical parameters required by Resolution 0631 of 2015. Subsequently, different traditional treatments (primary, secondary, and tertiary) were explored, and AOPs were examined in greater depth, including ozonation, the Fenton process, and photocatalysis. These methods used highly oxidizing agents, such as hydroxyl radicals, capable of degrading recalcitrant compounds present in hospital effluents. The operating conditions and operating principles of each technique were analyzed, as well as their technical and economic feasibility. Conclusions: The study concluded that POAs represented an effective solution for the tertiary treatment of hospital wastewater. The technologies evaluated significantly improved parameters such as COD, BOD5, and total suspended solids. However, their effectiveness depended on specific operating variables such as pH and oxidant dosage. It was highlighted that the integration of POAs with biological treatments could optimize results and reduce operating costs, promoting more sustainable environmental management in the healthcare sector.