Determination of heavy metal levels in wastewaters of hospital labarotories

In this pilot scale study, the removal of heavy metals by the system that disinfects and neutralizes the wastewater outgoing from biochemistry and microbiology laboratory of a hospital in Ankara was investigated. An activated carbon filter was inserted to the system which makes pathogen removal and pH adjustment and the performance of heavy metal removal was observed. During the research, the heavy metal ( Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd ve Pb ) levels was tried to be detected in the samples taken monthly from influent and effluent through disinfection and neutralization system of medical waste. According to analysis results, generally, in the samples taken from effluent water of medical waste disinfection and neutralization system, it appears that the heavy metal contents are fairly under the limit value which is shown in literature. In this way, the activated carbon filter inserted to the current system reduced the level of heavy metal in wastewater which is discharged into canalisation in the pilot scale hospital. The heavy metal concentrations in the hospital labs wastewater that is processed by the system are fairly under the limit value in ?The Regulations of Discharge of Wastewater to Canalisation System of ASKI?. As a result of this study, it is seen that a considerable removal of heavy metal can be provided by inserting a simple purification unit ( carbon filter) to these kinds of disinfection and neutralization systems before discharching the effluents of medical institutions into canalisation.Key Words: Hospital Wastewater, Heavy Metals,