A study conducted by Dr. Spyros Pavlostathis of the Georgia Institute of Technology was conducted to determine the potential effect of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in plant effluent on waste-water treatment systems. These antibacterial agents potentially interfere with the biological process of degradation resulting in failure of tests for environmental compliance. The study evaluated the decay rate of hydrogen peroxide and the long-term effects of peracetic acid on the aerobic, nitrifying and denitrifying processes in dissolved air flotation treatment of effluent.
The study determined that critical processes including breakdown of aerobic and anoxic organic matter and nitrification in waste-water from poultry processing plants was not affected by normal plant operation despite the presence of residual peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. There was however an effect at the end of a plant shift when spin chillers are emptied or following infrequent accidental spillage of peracetic acid.
The study conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology provided valuable information leading to the management of chemicals required to suppress pathogens but maintaining the adequate function of biological waste-water treatment plants.
The study was supported by by the USPOULTRY Foundation.