of tannery wastewater on other crops, such as wheat plant, soybeans, and maize
(Kılıçel and Dağ 2006, Hewitt and Keller 2003, Nath 2009). Due to high level of
salts in tannery waste, such as chlorides and sulphates, the average growth of crop
and development of maize were reduced (Hewitt and Keller 1999). Due to the excess
amount of dissolved solids, chromium, sulphides, chlorides, high COD, and BOD in
the effluents make it unsuitable for crop growth (Mishra and Bera 1995), and lower
dilution of effluents inhibits seed germination and seeding growth (Khan and Ghouri
2011). More than 80% concentrations of effluent are harmful for both reproductive
and vegetative stages of plants.
16.4.4 Atmospheric System
Air plays an important role in the life of everyone, as it is required for respiration,
and no one can live without air. But disappointingly, the whole world is under the
influence of air pollution, and the condition further deteriorates in developing
countries. One or more hazardous substances are generally present in the polluted
air which imparts problem to its belongings. Polluted air contains particulate matters,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide,
heavy metals, benzene, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen
sulphide which are readily present in the waste, originating from tannery industries
during liming, deliming, unhearing, and bating processes and mix with the air and
cause air problems (Classification of wastes 2009). Chromium is another harmful
ingredient which is being released in the atmosphere. 60–70% of chromium in the
atmosphere is mainly because of anthropogenic activities. Retention of chromium in
the lungs leads to high health risks because of its carcinogenic nature. Till now,
industries remains as major source of environmental pollution.
16.4.5 Human and Animal Health
Microorganisms are generally sensitive to chromium (VI) toxicity; tannery worker’s
exposure to chromium for a period of five months to fourteen years represents a
relevant risk factor for the development of disease associated with the genetic
damage. Initial exposure to toxic effluents, such as chromium, lead, zinc, hydrogen
sulphide, formaldehyde, and cadmium, leads to headache, dizziness, damage in skin
or lungs, irritation of eyes as temporary symptoms. Further exposure leads to
poisoning of the liver and collapse of the kidney or nervous system due to limited
availability of oxygen and in long term leads to illness, such as ulcers, occupational
asthma, genetic defects, bronchitis, and dermatitis, in human as well as animal health
(Tare et al. 2003).
16 Environmental Impact and Treatment of Tannery Waste
587
(Kılıçel and Dağ 2006, Hewitt and Keller 2003, Nath 2009). Due to high level of
salts in tannery waste, such as chlorides and sulphates, the average growth of crop
and development of maize were reduced (Hewitt and Keller 1999). Due to the excess
amount of dissolved solids, chromium, sulphides, chlorides, high COD, and BOD in
the effluents make it unsuitable for crop growth (Mishra and Bera 1995), and lower
dilution of effluents inhibits seed germination and seeding growth (Khan and Ghouri
2011). More than 80% concentrations of effluent are harmful for both reproductive
and vegetative stages of plants.
16.4.4 Atmospheric System
Air plays an important role in the life of everyone, as it is required for respiration,
and no one can live without air. But disappointingly, the whole world is under the
influence of air pollution, and the condition further deteriorates in developing
countries. One or more hazardous substances are generally present in the polluted
air which imparts problem to its belongings. Polluted air contains particulate matters,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide,
heavy metals, benzene, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen
sulphide which are readily present in the waste, originating from tannery industries
during liming, deliming, unhearing, and bating processes and mix with the air and
cause air problems (Classification of wastes 2009). Chromium is another harmful
ingredient which is being released in the atmosphere. 60–70% of chromium in the
atmosphere is mainly because of anthropogenic activities. Retention of chromium in
the lungs leads to high health risks because of its carcinogenic nature. Till now,
industries remains as major source of environmental pollution.
16.4.5 Human and Animal Health
Microorganisms are generally sensitive to chromium (VI) toxicity; tannery worker’s
exposure to chromium for a period of five months to fourteen years represents a
relevant risk factor for the development of disease associated with the genetic
damage. Initial exposure to toxic effluents, such as chromium, lead, zinc, hydrogen
sulphide, formaldehyde, and cadmium, leads to headache, dizziness, damage in skin
or lungs, irritation of eyes as temporary symptoms. Further exposure leads to
poisoning of the liver and collapse of the kidney or nervous system due to limited
availability of oxygen and in long term leads to illness, such as ulcers, occupational
asthma, genetic defects, bronchitis, and dermatitis, in human as well as animal health
(Tare et al. 2003).
16 Environmental Impact and Treatment of Tannery Waste
587