Sustainable management of chemistry laboratory wastewater in undergraduate colleges: A review and way forward
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63697/jeshs.2025.10056Keywords:
Chemical Laboratory, Occupational Health, Environmental Pollution, Wastewater Management, SustainabilityAbstract
Chemistry laboratories at undergraduate colleges play a vital role in teaching and research. These laboratories produce wastewaters containing hazardous substances, including strong acids, bases, heavy metals, and organic solvents. The disposal of untreated wastewater may pose risks to the environment and human well-being. This study aims to summarize types of laboratory wastewater, disposal practices, regulatory frameworks, and emerging sustainable alternatives. The emphasis was on low-cost, sustainable, and eco-friendly treatment strategies that could be easily adopted in undergraduate colleges with limited resources. This review highlights the need to integrate sustainable wastewater management practices into academic curricula to safeguard human and environmental health, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the broader goals of environmental sustainability. The integration of microscale experiments could considerably reduce the volume of hazardous liquid effluents. Deploying small-scale, on-site treatment facilities equipped with a combination of neutralization, precipitation, and filtration methods can serve as a preliminary decontamination step before final waste management options. Strengthening well-defined protocols for waste segregation, accompanied by methodical training for faculty members, students, and laboratory attendants, can emphasize secure laboratory practices. A coordinated approach involving policy initiatives, research advancements, and educational reforms will be a key to advancing eco-friendly and sustainable laboratory waste management practices across undergraduate institutions.
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