[Roentgen contrast media, source for AOX-contamination of waste water by hospitals].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the sources for the exceeding of the upper limit of the AOX (adsorbable organic halogen, X = Cl, Br, I) in hospital waste-water and to estimate the contribution of hospital waste-water to the AOX of municipal waste-water.


METHODS
For several hospitals with different medical directions, the expected AOX-concentration, as far as it is caused by iodine contrast media, was ascertained by the contrast media consumption and the water consumption. The results were compared with the measured AOX concentrations.


RESULTS
The AOX-concentration of hospital waste-water varies between 0.41 mg/l and 0.94 mg/l.


CONCLUSIONS
As a source of AOX iodine contrast media have been identified and may contribute considerably to the AOX. Hospitals with a radiological department may exceed the upper limit of the AOX which has to be observed in German municipal waste-water.
Erbe
T
T
Institut für Umweltmedizin und Krankenhaushygiene, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i.Br.
Kümmerer
K
K
Gartiser
S
S
Brinker
L
L
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000032:analysis*; D005858:Germany; D006219:Halogens / Q000032:analysis*; D006276:Health Facility Size; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000032:analysis; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D006219:Halogens; D008506:Medical Waste; D007455:Iodine
Röntgenkontrastmittel, Quelle für die AOX-Belastung des Abwassers durch Krankenhäuser.