ECOTOXICOLOGICAL AND GENOTOXICOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF HOSPITAL WASTEWATER

Hospital wastewater is a reservoir of priority organic micropollutants, especially pharmaceutical residues. Excreted in large quantities by hospitals and continuously discharged to wastewater treatment plants, these residues are not completely eliminated and persist in the environment at trace concentrations (ng. L -1 ). Their intrinsic biological activity affects biodiversity and increases the risk of cancer in humans, making ecotoxicological and genotoxicological risk assessment essential. Ecotoxicological risk assessment focuses on acute and chronic toxicity, using a battery of Microtox and Daphnia biotests to measure ecotoxicological effects on various aquatic species. In parallel, genotoxicological tests that detect DNA damage, such as the comet biotest battery (CA) and the micronucleus test (MNA), are performed. These two tests are particularly well known for their sensitivity and robustness in detecting DNA breaks and reliably assessing genotoxic potential. The integration of ecotoxicological and genotoxicological tests allows a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with hospital effluents, providing essential data for wastewater management and integration into environmental monitoring programs. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a complementary approach that ensures a better understanding and management of risks, thus helping to minimize the impact of organic micropollutants on aquatic ecosystems.