Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Asif Hanif Chaudhry ¹, Rehan ul Haq Siddiqui ¹, Tanveer Akhtar Malik ², Kazi Muhammad Ashfaq ², Muhammad Shafiq ³, Rashid Mahmood ², Ghazala Yaqub ⁴

Affiliations
1 Geoscience Advance Research Labs, GSP, Islamabad, PK
2 National Institute of Health, Islamabad, PK
3 Department of Chemistry, G.C. University, Faisalabad, PK
4 Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, PK

Abstract

Annual paper production is measure of the development of a country. Paper is made from cellulose based raw material, after their chemical and mechanical treatments. There treatment discharge waste water into the environment which is carried along the water channels like drains. The water form these drains is used by formers for irrigation purposes. If this drained water contains harmful effluents it can badly affect crops. To over come or minimize this damage present study was carried out. Various parameters were checked using standard procedure recommended by American Public Health Association and the results were compared with National Environmental Quality standards (NEQs) of Pakistan. The value of average temperature, pH, TDS and chloride was in harmony with NEQs, whereas the values of the other parameters like TSS, BOD5, COD, Copper and iron were above the NEQs limits for effluents. The violation of the parameters from NEQs suggest that it is time to take steps to check the discharge of unreacted or incomplete treatment effluents into these drains and distribution, so to ensure healthy environment for future generations.

Keywords

Paper Industries, Physico-Chemical Analysis, Hazardous Effluents, Colour.

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Ghazala Yaqub ¹, Almas Hamid ¹, Saira Iqbal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore-54000, PK

Abstract

In this review article we have briefly summarized the pharmaceutical processes and the pollutants i.e., VOCs and other air emissions from reactors and distillation assemblies, polluted solvents released in water and solid wastes etc. generated due to conventional processes involved in preparation of pharmaceuticals. Medicines are prepared for the better health and to decrease the mortality rate in human beings but the conventional processes involved in preparation of these pharmaceuticals generate chemical and thermal pollution in environment, thus, giving rise to some other severe health impacts and ultimately increase the disease and mortality rate in human beings. Thus, we have discussed the sustainable technology of microwave as possible solution for the preparation of pharmaceuticals without the generation of pollutants. Some practical examples for the preparation of pharmaceuticals via microwave and conventional processes are also discussed and compared herein showing the benefits of using microwave technology over conventional process in terms of better yield and ecofriendly approach without using hazardous solvents.

Keywords

Pharmaceutical Process, Pollutants, Solvents, Microwave Technology.

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Hirra Rashid ¹, Ghazala Yaqub ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, PK

Abstract

To eliminate the problem of heavy metals, there are naturally occurring materials that are locally and commonly found and are very much encouraged as low cost adsorbents such as industrial and agricultural wastes. Several agricultural and industrial wastes as potential adsorbents have been viewed, which includes wood ash and bone ash, cassava waste, chitosan-g-poly (butyl acrylate)/bentonite nano composite, Eucalyptus tereticornis bark, sarooj clay, orange fruit peel, fly ash, potato peels, coconut shell charcoal, pecan shells, bagasse fly ash, waste sludge, pith and saw dust, maize cob and husk, hazelnut shell, soybean hull, jackfruit, crab shell, neem leaves, cooked tea dust, teak leaves, cashewnut shells, aerogel carbon, sewage sludge ash and lignite-based fly ash. The adsorption details of these adsorbents have been keenly viewed and judged in batch studies mostly. The judgment is on the basis of adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics and parameters like contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, initial metal concentration and adsorption capacity. Hence, it is proved from the review of these adsorbents that they are highly selective in terms of separation, thermally and mechanically stable and do not foul, regenerative and less soluble in liquids. They are commonly available and are very less costly with removal efficiency up to 99%. The usage of these adsorbents is better applicable at low pH and oxidized or carbonized or activated before using them as adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from agricultural, industrial and municipal wastes.

Keywords

Bioadsorbents, Filters, Heavy Metals, Industrial and Agricultural Wastes.

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Syeda Amber Fatima ¹, Almas Hamid ¹, Ghazala Yaqub ¹, Anum Javed ¹, Haseeb Akram ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, PK

Abstract

Worldwide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have become concerning issue for public health. The current study was carried out to analyze the health and safety conditions in agricultural fields of a developing country. Moreover, another aim of the study was to determine pesticide (VOCs) residues in farmers working in rice, corn and cotton fields. Collected blood samples were analyzed by gas chromatography for isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, ethanol, toluene, benzene and phenol. Questionnaire and checklist surveys were also carried out to measure the different health impacts. The qualitative analysis of pesticides in blood samples of farmers showed that those working in the cotton fields had high levels of ethanol that was 90.422 ppm, one had high levels of phenol that was 26.986 ppm, one had high levels of toluene that was 1.954 ppm and two had benzene levels that were 8.105 ppm and 5.654 ppm respectively. Isopropyl alcohol was not detected in any farmer. Health issues faced by farmers were skin, eye, nose and throat irritation, headache and fatigue. It is concluded that the working conditions in Pakistan farms are not up to the mark and it is recommended to improve the health and safety conditions of farm fields in Pakistan by government.

Keywords

Volatile Organic Compounds, Health and Safety, Agricultural Fields, Farmers.

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