No abstract

In Pakistan, the tanning industry is very important for exporting leather as main item. In Kasur tanning industries are within and around residential areas because there is no proper industrial area. The discharge of tanneries effluents pollute air, soil, subsoil, surface water and underground water because of the presence of toxic organic and inorganic compounds especially chromium which is used in tanning processes. By analysis of industrial effluents and drinking water samples collected from different areas of Kasur, it was observed that the level of salts as well other toxic metal present was alarmingly high. The level of chromium in waste water was found to be 147 ppm, also the level of chromium was high in drinking water i.e. above 2.0 ppm. WHO suggested permissible value of chromium in drinking water is 0.05 ppm. The pretreatment of industrial wastes is therefore necessary to control environmental pollution and save our priceless ecosystem and prevent spread of diseases in people residing in vicinity of tanneries.