MEASUREMENT OF TRICLOSAN IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

The objective of this study was to investigate the fate and removal of triclosan (TCS), an antimicrobial agent used in a variety of household and personnal-care products, in wastewater treatment systems. Removal of TCS by activated sludge treatment was approximately 96% whereas removal by trickling filter treatment ranged from 58% to 86 %. Analysis of these results suggests that TCS is readily biodegrable under aerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions. The chlorinated analogues and biotransformation by-products of TCS are expected to be very low in receiving waters and sludge amended soils.