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Utilization of Polyamide Waste to Remove Endocrine Disruptors in Water Treatment
Summary
Waste polyamide press felts from the paper industry achieved 75% deposition efficiency for endocrine-disrupting chemicals, adsorbing up to 135 μg/g of bisphenol A and 130 μg/g of 17β-estradiol — demonstrating viable circular economy reuse of industrial plastic waste for water treatment. This approach simultaneously addresses polyamide waste disposal and removal of plastic-associated endocrine disruptors that co-contaminate water alongside microplastic particles.
Circular economy emphasizes sustainability and resource efficiency by extending product life cycles and minimizing waste. This study explores the reuse of polyamide press felts from the paper industry for removing endocrine disruptors (EDCs) from water, aligning with circular economy principles. EDCs, as defined by the WHO, are external substances that disrupt endocrine functions and can cause adverse health effects even at very low concentrations. Common EDCs include industrial chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and natural hormones, with bisphenol A (BPA) and 17β-estradiol (E2) being particularly problematic in water due to their health risks. Polyamide, valued for its strength and durability, is widely used in press felts but becomes waste after its industrial use. Reusing these felts is both environmentally and economically beneficial, as the production of polyamide involves high costs and significant impacts. This study investigates the adsorption capacity of polyamide felts for BPA and E2, a process favored for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency in water treatment. Results show that polyamide felts achieve a 75% initial deposition efficiency, adsorbing up to 135 μg BPA and 130 μg E2 per gram of felt. Thus, reusing polyamide felts effectively reduces EDCs in water, supporting water security and advancing the circular economy.