REMOVAL OF ACETAMINOPHEN FROM AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

Abstract

Acetaminophen is one of the most popular pharmaceutical of the modern era and is used widely worldwide as an analgesic. Being an over-the counter pharmaceutical, its misuse is also common. Acetaminophen in large concentrations is very toxic to the liver and could even be fatal. However no particular method has been reported most suitable for its removal. The present study focuses on the removal of acetaminophen from aqueous systems. A comparison of physical, biological and chemical methods of removal was performed to find the appropriate method of treatment. Physical adsorption was performed using aquifer material and biodegradation was done through bioflim developed on pumice stone. Batch studies were also performed to study adsorption characteristics for varying concentrations of acetaminophen. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) like ozonation, Fenton's process and UV treatment were also studied. The experiments were done for tap water solutions, artificial sewage solutions and artificial sewage solutions spiked with diethyl phthalate of same concentration as acetaminophen. Advanced oxidation process proved to be a better method of treatment with ozonation being the best among the AOPs with a removal of 86%. There was slight decrease in degradation of about 5% when artificial sewage along with diethyl phthalate was used in case of biodegradation and Fenton's process.