Emissions into water

 

The COD load from Novartis operations on the aquatic environment increased slightly in 2007, from 3.80kt to 3.98kt. Total Suspended Solids (TSS) has remained relatively constant since 2002, at 0.64kt for 2007. COD loads for 2007 were attributable to Sandoz (71%), Pharma (24%) and Consumer Health (5%).

 

Emissions into water targets and outlook

Novartis did not set a Group target on emission into water. However, individual Business Units and sites at which effluent loads are a relevant indicator follow local targets for the reduction of their environmental impacts.

Pharmaceuticals entering the aquatic environment (PiE) are an inevitable consequence of current science-based healthcare practices. While most pharmaceuticals entering the aquatic environment stem from the excretions of treated patients, relatively small quantities come from the industrial activities of research, drug development and production.

The Pharma Division monitors the emission of active drug substances to water from its production sites. For 2007, total release added up to 0.26t out of a total of 5,970t of active substances produced, i.e. below 0.05%.