Insights into current physical, chemical and hybrid technologies used for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with pharmaceuticals

The purpose of this article is to review the current physical, chemical and hybrid technologies practices employed in removal pharmaceuticals from liquid effluents originating various resources including municipal waste, hospitals discharge with a focus on pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Pharmaceutical pollutants are mostly persistent organic compounds that not easily removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. literature reviewed shows advanced oxidation processes able degrade these pharmaceuticals. However, may also introduce toxic intermediates/by-products if properly monitored operated. Physical treatments, like carbon adsorption membrane filtration, can provide barrier prevents both parent intermediates passing into treated wastewater. phase changing which contaminants transferred one another hence, retentate water absorbent require further treatment, managed disposal. combination different be an ideal scheme, for retention degradation transformation compounds. Through technologies, advantages methods combined, leading maximization removal. highlights importance installing combined reduce amounts residues before enters environment. use process, either as pre-treatment or post-treatment biological, adsorption, filtration process recommended promising option. Nevertheless, optimum pharmaceuticals-containing depends quality quantity wastewater, well their hazardous effects.