Gerenciamento e recuperação sustentável de resíduos alcoólicos gerados no Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica e Citopatológica em Roraima

Abstract

The management and recovery of chemical waste in laboratories in several institutions are still challenging tasks due to the wide variety of waste generated in these environments. Laboratory activities in healthcare produce large amounts of waste, much of which is classified as hazardous (Group B) and requires specific treatment for safe disposal. This research addressed the management and recovery of alcoholic waste generated by the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy and Cytopathology of Roraima (LAPER), with the objective of investigating the waste management practices carried out in the laboratory, as well as the recovery of commonly discarded alcoholic waste. The research was based on on- site visits, collection of waste for analysis, and application of a quantitative questionnaire with laboratory employees. Between 2020 and 2023, it was found that alcoholic waste makes up more than 50% of the total annual volume of waste generated in the institution. Although most employees follow regulations, inadequate disposal practices were identified, highlighting the need for training and more sustainable management practices in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a second stage, the feasibility of recovering ethanol from this waste was demonstrated using fractional distillation and NIR spectroscopy. The research demonstrated that the waste was collected by a third-party company, which sent it for subsequent incineration. In order to comply with the SDG principles, alcoholic residue recovery processes were carried out, achieving purities of 85.67 °GL for samples with an initial alcohol content above 60% and 99.8 °GL for concentrations above 90%, suitable for reuse in histological processes. Machine Learning models (PLS and PCR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectra allowed accurate predictions of alcohol content when compared to traditional analysis methods. Although solvent recovery is still seldom adopted in Brazil as a method of recovering laboratory waste, where incineration is more common, this practice promotes more sustainable waste management, saving resources, reducing environmental impact, and aligning with the principles of Green Chemistry, the circular economy, and the 2030 Agenda.