Editing Microfiltration (section)

==Environmental issues, safety and regulation==

Although environmental impacts of membrane filtration processes differ according to the application, a generic method of evaluation is the [[life-cycle assessment]] (LCA), a tool for the analysis of the environmental burden of membrane filtration processes at all stages and accounts for all types of impacts upon the environment including emission to land, water and air.

In regards to microfiltration processes, there are a number of potential environmental impacts to be considered. They include [[global warming potential]], [[photo-oxidation of polymers|photo-oxidant]] formation potential, [[eutrophication]] potential, human toxicity potential, freshwater [[ecotoxicity]] potential, [[Seawater|marine]] ecotoxicity potential and [[Landform|terrestrial]] ecotoxicity potential. In general, the potential environmental impact of the process is largely dependent on flux and the maximum transmembrane pressure, however other operating parameters remain a factor to be considered. A specific comment on which exact combination of operational condition will yield the lowest burden on the environment cannot be made as each application will require different optimisations.<ref>Tangsubkul, N, Parameshwaran, K,  Lundie, S, Fane, AG & Waite, TD 2006, 'Environmental life cycle assessment of the microfiltration process', ''Journal of Membrane Science'' vol. 284,  pp. 214–226</ref>

In a general sense, membrane filtration processes are relative "low risk" operations, that is, the potential for dangerous hazards are small. There are, however several aspects to be mindful of. All pressure-driven filtration processes including microfiltration requires a degree of pressure to be applied to the feed liquid stream as well as imposed electrical concerns. Other factors contributing to safety are dependent on parameters of the process. For example, processing dairy product will lead to bacteria formations that must be controlled to comply with safety and regulatory standards.<ref>Cheryan, M 1998, ''Fouling and Cleaning. 2nd edn. Ultrafiltration and Microfiltration Handbook'', CRC Press, Florida, p. 352-407.</ref>