Unveiling the Ecological and Health Ramifications of Heavy Metal Dyes in Textile Industries: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Water, the quintessential natural resource, is critical for the survival of all living entities. In the wake of escalating urbanization and industrialization, water demand has surged, exacerbating environmental challenges. Particularly, the textile industry, a significant consumer and polluter of water, generates wastewater containing dyes and heavy metals like lead (Pb(II)), cadmium (Cd(II)), chromium (Cr(VI)), and zinc (Zn(II)). These contaminants pose severe environmental and toxicological risks, impacting both ecosystems and human health.

Objectives: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the environmental impact of textile wastewater, focusing on the presence of heavy metals and their implications. It endeavors to assess the effectiveness of adsorption as a remediation technique, using agricultural wastes as adsorbents, to mitigate these impacts economically and efficiently.

Methods: We delve into an extensive analysis of the types of dyes and heavy metals prevalent in textile effluents, examining their environmental and health hazards. The study evaluates various adsorption methods, emphasizing the use of low-cost agricultural wastes as superior adsorbents for removing heavy metals from wastewater. Comparative analyses with traditional methods are provided to underline the advantages of adsorption techniques.

Results: The findings reveal that adsorption, particularly using agricultural wastes as adsorbents, offers a highly effective, cost-efficient solution for detoxifying textile wastewater of heavy metals. This approach not only surpasses traditional methods in efficacy but also contributes to the sustainable use of agricultural by-products.

Conclusions: The review underscores the urgent need for sustainable wastewater management practices in the textile industry to address the critical environmental challenge posed by heavy metal contamination. It highlights the promising potential of using agricultural wastes as adsorbents in adsorption processes, offering an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods. This strategy not only aids in purifying water resources but also in promoting the circular economy by valorizing agricultural residues.