The globally growing demand for textile has resulted in a growing production of textile mills. Therefore, the pollution has been affecting the globe as never before. Textile industry is one of the major areas that have an importance throughout the world.
Water pollution is the main issue when it comes to textile industry. Textile industry is a voracious consumer of water. Water is used for various processes like sizing, bleaching, dyeing, printing and other finishing processes. As a result the waste water is full of various reminiscent dyes and chemical additives used in the process of dyeing and receiving final qualities.
Chemicals that are used in textile industry cause environmental and health problems. Among the many chemicals that can be found in textile wastewater dyes are considered to be the worst pollutants appearing in the textile procession. Since it drastically decreases oxygen concentration due to the presence of hydrosulphides and blocks the passage of light through the water body it is detrimental to the water ecosystem.
If the pollutants present in textile wastewaters are disposed without proper treatment, they may cause depletion of dissolved oxygen in receiving bodies causing septic conditions and this affects the survival of aquatic life. High TDS, total dissolved solids, present in the wastewater increase the salinity and the high alkalinity increases the pH of receiving water bodies. Colours from dyes are aesthetically objectionable, particularly in recreational waters. In addition to this, certain carrier chemicals used in dyeing, such as phenol may add taste and odours.
Textile industry in general uses millions of gallons of water every day. The problem does not just rest in the high usage; what is more the waste is not treated to remove pollutants from it before it is disposed to water bodies. The waste water usually contains PBDEs, phthalates, organochlorines, lead, and many other chemicals that cause severe health problems and diseases in human beings.
The liquid effluents released by textile industry are the most disturbing area of concern. This is because the toxic material released through liquid waste is vast in quantity. It consists of chemicals such as formaldehyde (HCHO), chlorine, and heavy metals. Besides, it is disposed into water bodies that reach far away areas and is consumed by a high number of people for drinking or for daily activities. It is inevitable to treat the waste waters to reduce their toxic content before being released into water bodies.
Water pollution
Erasmus+ 48
POLLUTION MADE BY TEXTILE INDUSTRY
IN ITALY