Glutaraldehyde has certain environmental risks, so its wastewater must be properly treated before discharge:
Environmental hazards: High-concentration glutaraldehyde (＞50 mg/L) can inhibit the growth of aquatic organisms (e.g., fish, algae) and disrupt the ecological balance of water bodies; it is also biodegradable under natural conditions, but the degradation process may produce small-molecule organic acids that lower water pH.
Wastewater treatment requirements:
Neutralization first: Adjust the pH of the wastewater to 6-8 with acid/alkali (e.g., sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide) to avoid corrosion of treatment equipment.
Biological treatment: Use activated sludge or biofilm processes to decompose glutaraldehyde—microorganisms in the system can break down its carbon chain into harmless CO₂ and H₂O.
Discharge standards: After treatment, the residual concentration of glutaraldehyde in wastewater should comply with local regulations (e.g., ≤0.5 mg/L in China’s industrial wastewater discharge standards) to avoid environmental pollution.
