Biosafe Life Sciences effluent decontamination systems

Biosafe Life Sciences produces effluent decontamination systems (EDSs) to treat laboratory wastewater/effluent produced within biocontainment boundaries. EDSs are recommended and/or required by law for facilities classified as Biosafety Level 3 and Level 4 (PC 3 and 4 as defined in AS/NZS 2243.3-2010).

The systems use a combination of heat and pressure to ensure that any potentially dangerous microbiological agents in the effluent are destroyed before release to the public drains. Typically the systems are located in sub-contained basement areas directly below the laboratories which they serve. This allows for a gravity flow into the system, which minimises any further intermediate equipment. In some cases, where it is not possible to gravity feed the system, a collection tank is incorporated.

EDSs can operate as continuous or as a continuous-batch process, the latter of which is the chosen standard for the company’s systems due to the inherent safety control and containment advantages.

The company has worked with alkaline hydrolysis, used in converting potential infectious waste tissue into sterile effluent. The company also produces standalone EDSs for other effluent streams from life science facilities.

A wide selection of configurations and capacities is available, designed to treat thousands of gallons per day. The systems can be sized for any facility, from a single laboratory room to a large multiuser facility. The company’s ‘prion cycle’ feature is also offered, incorporating the alkaline hydrolysis technology, for the safe disposal of potentially TSE-infected effluent.