010 meets 020: united for cleaner water

Rotterdam and Amsterdam enjoy a healthy rivalry. But when it comes to keeping contrast agents out of wastewater, Erasmus MC and Amsterdam UMC are firmly on the same side.

Both hospitals are preparing to install Zereau’s contrast-agent toilet solution, capturing contrast residues from patients’ urine before they enter the sewer.

“Different cities, shared ambition: making more sustainable radiology part of everyday hospital care.”

A regular toilet visit, with a different outcome

The approach offers an alternative to disposable urine collection bags. Patients can use a dedicated toilet at the hospital, reducing plastic use and avoiding the practicalities of collecting urine at home.

The installation fits within ordinary toilet facilities. The setup includes two toilets: one fitted with a urine-separating toilet and the other with a urinal. Both collect urine with minimal dilution, creating a concentrated stream for efficient filtration.

Capturing urine during the hospital visit allows contrast residues to be intercepted at the source. The amount collected depends on when patients use the toilet and how much contrast agent they have excreted by that time.

From capture to recovery

The filters do more than help keep contrast residues out of wastewater: they also make it possible to recover iodine and gadolinium from the captured material. This creates an opportunity to reclaim valuable resources while reducing the use of disposable collection products.

For Erasmus MC and Amsterdam UMC, the goal is practical: a solution that fits existing facilities and asks little of patients and staff.

“010 versus 020? On this one, they are playing for the same team.”