INTRODUCTION: During decades, laboratories were deemed to produce low environmental impact. This has changed dramatically due to current social environmental demands. ANVISA implemented RDC nº 306 from December 7, 2004, creating the Health Care Waste Management Plan (PGRSS), which states that producers of non-urban solid waste are accountable for its generation and ultimate disposal. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate phenol concentrations at wastewater discharge. To investigate processes that minimize environmental and public health risks. To validate procedure for phenol extraction from waste generated by the biochemist area, once it is a toxic solid, corrosive chemical substance, commonly found in reagents used in cholesterol analyses. According to our Brazilian Legislation, the discharge effluent emission standard is 0.5 µg ml-1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was used gas chromatography. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was possible to qualify and quantify phenol concentrations in both semi-automated and automated laboratory samples and the results revealed a decrease and subsequent stability in phenol concentrations.
Wastewaters; Phenol; Environment; Health
