Volume 23, Issue 4 (2-2025)
jhosp 2025, 23(4): 395-406 |
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Jahangiri A. Identification and Prioritization of Strategies for Removing Pharmaceutical Contaminants from Hospital Wastewater in Selected Hospitals of Markazi Province Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). jhosp 2025; 23 (4) :395-406
URL: http://jhosp.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6722-en.html
URL: http://jhosp.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6722-en.html
Research Expert, Water and Wastewater Company of Markazi Province, Arak, Iran. *Corresponding Author Email: Jahangirieng@ yahoo.com
Abstract: (362 Views)
Background and purpose: Pharmaceutical pollutants in hospital wastewater pose significant environmental and public health risks. This study aimed to identify and prioritize effective strategies for removing these contaminants from the wastewater of selected hospitals in Markazi Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study employed a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. Initially, a comprehensive review of scientific literature, expert interviews, and consultation with professionals in environmental health and wastewater treatment was conducted. Relevant strategies and prioritization criteria were identified using MAXQDA 2022. Subsequently, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was applied using Expert Choice version 11 software to assign weights to criteria and rank the identified strategies.
Results: Five key treatment strategies were identified: (1) integrated biological, physical, and chemical treatment methods (hybrid systems), (2) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), (3) aerobic and anaerobic biological reactors, (4) membrane filtration, and (5) activated carbon adsorption. The prioritization was based on five criteria: (1) pollutant removal efficiency (0.357), (2) environmental compatibility (0.241), (3) implementation and operational costs (0.198), (4) technology durability and sustainability (0.123), and (5) implementation complexity and feasibility (0.081). The final priority scores of the strategies were 0.312, 0.256, 0.211, 0.134, and 0.087, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that hybrid treatment systems combining biological, chemical, and physical processes offer the most effective strategy for eliminating pharmaceutical pollutants in hospital wastewater. These insights can guide healthcare policymakers and hospital administrators in selecting optimal wastewater treatment methods, contributing to environmental protection and water quality improvement.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study employed a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. Initially, a comprehensive review of scientific literature, expert interviews, and consultation with professionals in environmental health and wastewater treatment was conducted. Relevant strategies and prioritization criteria were identified using MAXQDA 2022. Subsequently, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was applied using Expert Choice version 11 software to assign weights to criteria and rank the identified strategies.
Results: Five key treatment strategies were identified: (1) integrated biological, physical, and chemical treatment methods (hybrid systems), (2) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), (3) aerobic and anaerobic biological reactors, (4) membrane filtration, and (5) activated carbon adsorption. The prioritization was based on five criteria: (1) pollutant removal efficiency (0.357), (2) environmental compatibility (0.241), (3) implementation and operational costs (0.198), (4) technology durability and sustainability (0.123), and (5) implementation complexity and feasibility (0.081). The final priority scores of the strategies were 0.312, 0.256, 0.211, 0.134, and 0.087, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that hybrid treatment systems combining biological, chemical, and physical processes offer the most effective strategy for eliminating pharmaceutical pollutants in hospital wastewater. These insights can guide healthcare policymakers and hospital administrators in selecting optimal wastewater treatment methods, contributing to environmental protection and water quality improvement.
Keywords: Pharmaceutical Contaminants, Hospital Wastewater, Wastewater Treatment, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Environmental Health
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
مدیریت تسهیلات (فیزیکی ، تاسیساتی و تجهیزاتی ) در بیمارستان
Received: 2025/02/23 | Accepted: 2025/04/27 | Published: 2025/05/8
Received: 2025/02/23 | Accepted: 2025/04/27 | Published: 2025/05/8
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