KARACHI:
High levels of pollution emerging from different industries have contributed to environmental degradation and global warming. The textile sector in Pakistan primarily depends on cotton and dyeing. This means that inorganic salts, alkalis, processing liquids like surfactants, and organic matter like dye are regularly used during the manufacturing process. Effluents from reactive dyeing cotton are particularly polluted, with high oxygen demand, colour, and salt load. This has increased effluent pollution as liquid waste and chemicals are regularly discharged into the water bodies.
Effluent treatment and water recycling can help reduce pollution and provide reusable water. A better approach would be to modify textile processing technologies and chemistry to reduce effluent pollution. The textile industry should help prevent environmental degradation by undertaking environmentally friendly measures. For instance, they should use non-toxic biodegradable dyes and chemicals for dyeing. The use of specific organic compounds is a viable alternative to inorganic salt. These compounds are biodegradable and reduce effluent load. Cotton cationisation helps eliminate the use of inorganic salt and alkali while leaving a reduced amount of unfixed dye.
Biological treatment is typically considered to be the most efficient method for removing the majority of toxic pollutants from complex organic effluent. The biodegradation of synthetic dyes and other dissolved substances is accomplished by natural or regenerated bacteria in these processes. Considering that the country is already faced with water shortages, the dyeing and textile industry should change practices to avoid polluting water bodies and reduce water wastage. The relevant authorities must pay heed to the issue to prevent long-term environmental consequences.
Annus Khan
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2023.
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