Descrizione del progetto
Nuova metodologia per il trattamento delle acque reflue derivanti da prodotti farmaceutici
I prodotti farmaceutici sono fortemente responsabili della contaminazione delle acque. I mezzi di contrasto iodati sono adoperati in dosi elevate per l’immaginografia dei tessuti molli ogni volta che si esegue un esame radiologico. I mezzi di contrasto resistono al tradizionale trattamento delle acque reflue biologiche, portando a riscontrarne la presenza a concentrazioni elevate non solo negli effluenti degli impianti di trattamento delle acque reflue, ma anche nell’acqua potabile. Il progetto REMEDI, finanziato dall’UE, si occuperà della formazione di ricercatori in fase iniziale di carriera nonché dei futuri professionisti nell’ambito dell’utilizzo competitivo delle risorse idriche in un ambiente industriale, prestando particolare attenzione alla scarsità di acqua causata dalla contaminazione dei prodotti farmaceutici. Il progetto si basa sugli sforzi congiunti tra l’azienda ambientale Tauw GmbH, il Politecnico di Milano e l’Università di Warwick.
Obiettivo
REMEDI trains future professionals and scientists in the area of competitive use of water resources within an industry centered environment, targeting the problem of scarcity of water resources due to contamination by pharmaceuticals. Enhanced loading of water resources with pharmaceuticals is a key challenge in meeting the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. Iodinated X-ray contrast medium agents (CMA) are one type of the pharmaceuticals being used for the imaging of soft tissues which are typically administered in elevated doses for each imaging operation and excreted mainly nonmetabolized. The CMA are persistent during conventional biological wastewater treatments and therefore, CMA have been detected at elevated concentrations in the effluents of waste water treatment plants, surface waters, groundwater, and even in drinking water. Tauw GmbH is an environmental company which recognizes that design of strategies for treatment of water resources requires solid knowledge leading to new methods and approaches to trap pharmaceutical components in water treatment systems and in the sediments of lakes and rivers. Tauw GmbH does not have in-house resources to undertake the body of research required to set and develop. It has stimulated the REMEDI EID action, jointly with Politecnico di Milano and University of Warwick, to address these issues. Trapping of CMA involves the application of iron(Fe)- containing by-products from drinking water treatment. REMEDI aspires the ideas of a circular economy and aims at recovering the retained X-ray Contrast Media agents in water treatment systems, rivers and lakes. Novel technologies will be developed to convert CMA-loaded Fe-minerals into marketable products whose suitability will be evaluated. 5 ESR projects address these challenges with a level of interaction and synergy among academic and non-academic players leading to forming a cadre of scientists with skills apt to unravel complex environmental scenarios.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processeswastewater treatment processes
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinatore
20133 Milano
Italia