ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Microbiological Hazard Analysis of Car Wash
Wastewater
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West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering,
Piastów Ave. 42, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland
Submission date: 2023-03-05
Final revision date: 2023-04-20
Acceptance date: 2023-04-24
Online publication date: 2023-06-26
Publication date: 2023-07-21
Corresponding author
Marek Gryta
West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(4):3871-3882
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ABSTRACT
Wastewater from car washes may contain many pathogenic microorganisms that can pose a hazard
to human health through inhalation of bioaerosols generated during car washing. The aim of this study
was to investigate which types of bacteria are present in the wastewater. Over 30 types of bacteria
were determined in the examined wastewater, with the cells number at the level 2.86-3.71x106 CFU/mL.
The complete inhibition of bacterial growth was observed for D-cycloserine and for a mixture of
antibiotics (polymyxin B sulfate, Ceftazidime and Acryflavine HCl). E. coli bacteria were used to
determine how the composition of chemicals used to wash cars affects their survival. It was found
that the foaming agents (surfactants) do not have an antibacterial effect, unlike the alkaline agents
used to remove insects (Insect). The chemicals present in wastewater promote bacterial mutation in
the adaptation process. As a result, despite increasing the concentration of Insect solution to 0.5% and
extending the contact time to 30 min the amount of bacteria cells in the wastewater decreased only from
2.93x105 to 5.56x102 CFU/mL.