The photocatalytic degradation of two commercial textile azo dyes, namely C.I Reactive Black 5 and C.I Reactive Red 239, has been studied. TiO2 P25 Degussa was used as catalyst and photodegradation was carried out in aqueous solution under artificial irradiation with a 125 W mercury vapor lamp. The effects of the amount of TiO2 used, UV-light irradiation time, pH of the solution under treatment, initial concentration of the azo dye and addition of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were investigated. The effect of the simultaneous photodegradation of the two azo dyes was also investigated and we observed that the degradation rates achieved in mono and bi-component systems were identical. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst was also tested. After five cycles of TiO2 reuse the rate of colour lost was still 77% of the initial rate. The degradation was followed monitoring the change of azo dye concentration by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results show that the use of an efficient photocatalyst and the adequate selection of optimal operational parameters may easily lead to a complete decolorization of the aqueous solutions of both azo dyes.
With regards to health, chromium (Cr) is an ambiguous chemical element. Although it is considered to be an important micronutrient, it also is connected with several pathologies, including carcinogenicity. The mechanism of action of Cr and its compounds in humans is not yet fully understood. Currently, three possible mechanisms have been proposed for carcinogenesis: Cr(VI)‐induced multistage carcinogenesis, genomic instability, and epigenetic modification. Therefore, in addition to the toxicity of this metal and its ions, human susceptibility to Cr‐induced pathologies depends on external factors and individual characteristics, such as enzymatic polymorphisms, carriers, endogenous reducing system, adduct formation and stability, and efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms, among other factors. In fact, the variability of individual molecular constitutive factors, such as individual polymorphisms, creates an individualized environment for Cr toxicity. This mini‐review contemplates the essential variables in this process.
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