Pollution prevention in the pharmaceutical industry
- Merck and Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ (United States)
A clear understanding of the process, reaction pathways, process equipment, operational requirements, and waste stream characteristics are critical for the evaluation, selection, and implementation of pollution prevention in the pharmaceutical industry. Although pollution prevention opportunities are always preferred over treatment and disposal techniques, consideration of a full range of options--including at-source treatments and disposal--is a practical necessity to ensure protection of the environment using best available technology. General housekeeping can also play a major role in waste minimization. Waste minimization and pollution prevention are not new concepts for the pharmaceutical industry. But the confidential and highly competitive nature of the business stands in the way of disseminating information regarding specific activities in this area. The pharmaceutical industry could probably do much better in this respect. Successful implementation of waste minimization in the pharmaceutical industry requires that a process modification not have a negative impact on product quality. Recovered and recycled materials must meet quality specifications that are similar to those for virgin raw materials.
- OSTI ID:
- 99389
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Industrial pollution prevention handbook; Freeman, H.M. [ed.] [Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (United States)]; PB: 961 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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