Radiology
Capture excreted contrast media at the source, before they enter hospital wastewater and the environment.
For radiology departments and other hospital wards handling iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast media.
For radiology departments and other hospital wards handling iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast media.
The challenge
Valuable contrast media are entering our waterways and impact eco-systems instead of being captured and recovered.
Patients excrete most iodine- and gadolinium-based contrast media through urine following CT and MRI examinations, quickly after dose. These substances enter wastewater sewages and eventually reach rivers and other water bodies, where they may affect aquatic ecosystems and drinking water production. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove these persistent micropollutants. Once diluted in the sewer system, their removal and recovery become increasingly difficult. Hospitals offer a unique opportunity to intervene before dilution occurs. Source-based filtration prevents contrast media from entering the environment, without disrupting staff workflows, while enabling the recovery of iodine and gadolinium, which are valuable raw materials. In outpatient radiology setting patients excrete up to 40% of their dose during their first void in the hospital. This can be collected in the ContrastCatch system.
Downstream dilution
Once contrast media enter the sewer system, they become highly diluted, making effective removal and recovery increasingly difficult.
Urine bags add waste
Urine collection bags were introduced, but they generate additional plastic waste, increase CO₂ emissions through incineration and are not suitable for the recovery of valuable raw materials.
Taking Responsibility
Contrast media pollution requires action from multiple stakeholders. With ContrastCatch, hospitals can take direct responsibility for what leaves their facilities, addressing pollution at the source rather than relying on downstream treatment.
The Zereau approach
Patient-side capture that fits imaging workflows.
ContrastCatch routes excretion through filters patients already use — toilets and urinals in the hospital.
At ward-level, urine is kept separate from general hospital wastewater, so residues can be filtered at high concentration and retained for potential material recovery.
Zereau's filter logistics safeguard accurate monitoring of filter performance and raw material yield.
System configurations
ContrastCatch lines sized for outpatient throughput and inpatient stays.
ContrastCatch toilets and urinals
Built for outpatient use. Patient groups use a filter toilet for their first excretion(s) after the exam, before leaving the department.
- Designed for high throughput outpatient imaging flows.
- Supports iodine and gadolinium routes, even in combination.
- Enables capture of the first and most concentrated excretions, which accounts for up to 40% of the dose.
Ideal for outpatient radiology wards.
Capturing contrast media beyond radiology
Patients in CathLab, neurology, stroke and other specialised wards often undergo imaging procedures involving iodinated contrast media. Many remain hospitalised or bedridden afterwards, with urine collected in catheter bags, bedpans or urinals. ContrastCatch Sink allows nursing staff to empty these directly into a dedicated filtration sink, following their normal routines. Up to 90% of administered contrast media can be captured during the patient’s stay, before entering the hospital sewer.
- Designed to fit into existing ward workflows and location.
- Quick to add without major works.
- Perfectly aligned with existing processes.
Easy to scale.
Newsroom
October 8, 2026
EANM 2026: Zereau at Booth 321 – hall X3. Is Our Infrastructure Ready for the Growth of Nuclear Medicine?
Next week, the nuclear medicine community comes together in Vienna for EANM’26. Radioligand therapy is expanding. New radiopharmaceuticals are moving through clinical development. Alpha therapies are gaining momentum. Patient access is increasing, and hospitals across Europe are preparing for further growth.
October 1, 2026
Polluter Pays. But for What, Exactly?
April 21, 2026
Clean Water Starts at the Source. Why treating healthcare micropollutants before dilution deserves a bigger role in our water strategy.
February 3, 2026
Flushing Doesn’t Mean It’s Gone. Growing alpha therapies demand wastewater protection.
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What hospitals say:
“ContrastCatch is more than hardware for us. It is part of a shift toward sustainable, circular care. It runs reliably and does not add daily workload for teams. With Zereau, we gather data and publish results so others can advance cleaner water cycles and iodine recovery.”
Radboud UMC
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Impact in practice
Measured performance across real-world hospital implementations.
20+ systems deployed
Across Europe. Highly experienced team to support smooth implementation and further roll-out.
Proven circular technology
More impact and cost efficiency compared to urine bags. Re-usable filters and raw materials. No waste.
More than 99% removal
Urine separation and filtration assures efficient removal.
Published outcomes
Multiple publications of effectiveness available, supports achievement of sustainability goals.