Meta description (140–160): Verify effluent safety with NANOTEC’s zebrafish embryo (Danio rerio) assay per ISO 15088 qualitative toxicity screening on real wastewater samples to flag hazards early and support compliance and treatment optimization.

SEO keywords: wastewater toxicity test, ISO 15088 zebrafish, wastewater test, Danio rerio effluent screening, acute aquatic toxicity, wastewater compliance Thailand, environmental monitoring bioassay, industrial effluent assessment, qualitative toxicity pass fail, NANOTEC testing services, treatment optimization

Why This Test Matters

Chemical analyses tell you what is in your effluent; bioassays tell you what that effluent does to living organisms. Industrial wastewater can contain complex mixtures- surfactants, solvents, metals, by-products, and unknowns that interact in ways a single-chemical test may not predict. The zebrafish embryo toxicity assay provides a pragmatic check on acute aquatic hazard before discharge or downstream reuse.

NANOTEC performs this assessment in line with ISO 15088: Determination of the acute toxicity of wastewater to zebrafish eggs (Danio rerio). Because zebrafish embryos are sensitive, rapidly developing, and transparent, this method is well suited to routine screening, process troubleshooting, and third-party documentation. Results are qualitative, a clear toxic / not toxic determination under the method conditions making it easy to align with internal acceptance criteria or corrective action triggers in environmental management systems.

Use this test to:

• Verify that treatment and polishing steps are achieving intended outcomes.
• Screen batch-to-batch or day-to-day variability when influent changes.
• Support compliance programs with an organism-level check complementary to chemical parameters.
• Diagnose emergent toxicity in process upsets and guide mitigation.

What the Test Measures 

Principle. Freshly fertilized zebrafish eggs/embryos are exposed to your wastewater sample under controlled conditions. After a defined exposure period set by the standard, embryos are examined and the test outcome is recorded as toxic or not toxic to zebrafish embryos under the test conditions.

Output type: Qualitative (pass/fail toxicity determination per ISO 15088).

What you receive:

• Clear verdict: Toxic or Not toxic under the method conditions.
• Method summary: ISO 15088 framework; sample description; exposure window; basic test conditions.
• Observational notes (concise): any relevant observations recorded during the exposure period.
• Interpretive comment: practical next steps (e.g., “recommend re-test post-treatment adjustment” or “consider complementary chemistry profiling”).

Important: ISO 15088 is intended as an acute (short-term) screen. For chronic or sublethal endpoints, consider broader ecotoxicology programs.

When to Choose This Assay

• Routine effluent surveillance as part of EHS/ESG programs.
• Commissioning and optimization of new or modified treatment units.
• Root-cause investigations when chemical metrics pass but field biology indicates stress.
• Supplier qualification for third-party wastewater entering your system (e.g., tolling, shared utilities).

If your goal is cosmetics/health-product safety rather than environmental hazard, choose our Cytotoxicity (ISO 10993-5) or In-vitro Micronucleus (OECD 487) services. For product efficacy (e.g., whitening actives), see Zebrafish Melanin-Inhibition.

Study Design & Workflow

1. Scope & Intake
   • Confirm sample type (industrial effluent, treated wastewater, community wastewater, post-treatment discharge).
   • Align on reporting (standard qualitative outcome with concise notes).
   • Note special handling (pH, temperature, light sensitivity) if applicable.
2. Laboratory Execution
   • Handle and hold samples per good practice; prepare exposure sets following ISO 15088.
   • Maintain embryos in controlled conditions throughout the exposure window.
   • Record method-specific observations at the prescribed checkpoints.
3. Analysis & Reporting
   • Issue a qualitative conclusion (toxic/not toxic) under the test conditions.
   • Provide a succinct method and conditions summary, plus observational notes.
   • Include recommendations for corrective actions or complementary tests where helpful.

Reporting You Can Use

Your decision-ready report typically includes:

• Test identification: “Determination of the acute toxicity of wastewater to zebrafish eggs (ISO 15088).”
• Sample metadata: sample ID, collection date (as provided), condition upon receipt.
• Outcome: Toxic / Not toxic under test conditions.
• Brief notes: relevant observations recorded during the exposure.
• Method summary: exposure window and essential environmental conditions.
• Actionable guidance: suggested follow-ups if toxicity is observed (e.g., adjust treatment step, resample after process change, or add chemical profiling)

Report language & delivery

NANOTEC issues decision-ready test reports in Thai or English (one language included). A second language copy can be provided for an additional THB 500. Reports can be delivered by hand, via email, or by post (postal delivery incurs an additional shipping charge).

Sample Preparation & Submission

To ensure valid, reproducible results, please follow these guidelines.

Acceptable sample types:

• Industrial wastewater
• Community wastewater
• Treated effluent (post-treatment / post-polishing)

Minimum quantity per sample: 500 mL – 1 L

Packaging & transport:

• Use clean, inert containers with secure caps.
• Label clearly (sample name/ID, collection date/time, point of collection).
• If temperature-sensitive, ship with cold packs and note storage requirements.
• Avoid headspace if volatile constituents are suspected; seal promptly after collection.

Documentation:

• Provide any available SDS/chemistry profile and treatment context (e.g., pre- or post-biological treatment, carbon filtration steps).
• Indicate expected matrix features (e.g., high salinity, color, turbidity) that could influence interpretation.

Sample return & storage

After testing, you may choose to have remaining samples destroyed or returned. Returned samples can be picked up in person or shipped by post (shipping charge applies). If samples are not collected within 30 days of report delivery, NANOTEC will dispose of them. During intake, storage conditions are recorded (e.g., room temperature, chilled, desiccator).

Who This Service Is For

• Industrial EHS teams managing discharge permits and ESG reporting.
• Utilities and treatment operators validating process performance and diagnosing upsets.
• Consultancies conducting due diligence or compliance audits.
• Research & Process Engineers trialing new treatment chemistries or configurations.

Complementary & Follow-On Services

• Zebrafish Embryo Acute Toxicity (OECD TG 236) – acute toxicity screen for chemicals/formulations outside the wastewater context.
• Zebrafish Melanin-Inhibition Assay (In-house) – not environmental; used for cosmetic brightening efficacy (listed here for clients managing multiple programs).
• Chemical Profiling – GC-MS for VOCs, FTIR for functional groups, elemental checks, to pinpoint likely contributors to observed toxicity.
• Contact Angle / Surface & Particle Analysis – useful when treatment involves advanced materials whose behavior could affect removal performance (e.g., coagulation, adsorption).

These pairings help connect observed biological outcomes with treatable causes, accelerating remediation.

Pricing

• Determination of the acute toxicity of wastewater to zebrafish eggs (ISO 15088): from THB 45,000 per sample (excl. VAT)

Final price depends on sample count per submission, scheduling needs, and any special handling. A formal quotation is issued after scoping.

How to Get Started

1. Share your objective (routine check, process validation, incident investigation).
2. Confirm sample plan (points, volumes, timing).
3. Submit samples (500 mL–1 L each) with labels and context notes.
4. Receive a clear verdict (toxic/not toxic) with concise interpretation and suggested next steps.

Suggested Internal Links

• Zebrafish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (OECD TG 236)
• GC-MS VOC Analysis
• FTIR Chemical Analysis
• Particle & Surface Analysis Hub
• Environmental Monitoring & Process Engineering (MAP)

Contact

National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) – Infrastructure Services
143 INC 2 (B), Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road,
Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Tel. +66 2 564 7100 ext. 6517, 6625, 6680
Email: bdis-infs@nanotec.or.thTurn compliance into confidence. With the ISO 15088 zebrafish embryo assay, you’ll know-quickly and defensibly-whether your wastewater presents an acute hazard to aquatic life, and what to do next.