EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS PRESENT IN WASTE WATER EFFLUENTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRIES

EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS PRESENT IN WASTE WATER EFFLUENTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Various devastating ecological effects and human disasters in the last 40 years have arisen majorly from industrial wastes causing environmental degradation (Abdel-Shafy and Abdel-Basir, 1991; Sridhar et al., 2000). The discharges from these industries constitute biohazard to man and other living organisms in the environment because they contain toxic substances detrimental to health (Adebisi et al., 2007; Adriano, 2001; Bakare et al., 2003). Recently, there has been an alarming and worrisome increase in organic pollutants (Nadal et al., 2004). Since many effluents are not treated properly, these products are discharged on the ground or in the water bodies (Odiete, 1999), and most of these discharges to water bodies accumulate in the system through food chain (Odiete, 1999). Pharmaceutical effluents are wastes generated by pharmaceutical industries during the process of drugs manufacturing. Their risk to human health andenvironmental species cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, the increase in demand for pharmaceuticals has resulted in a consequent increase in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in the country and hence increased pharmaceutical waste which most times contain substantial amount of heavy metals. These effluents are usually discharged into the environment and when improperly handled and disposed, they affect both human health and the environment (Osaigbovo and Orhue, 2006; Ayodele et al., 1996; Anetor et al., 1999).The uncontrollable growing use of pharmaceutical products now constitutes a new challenge. Most pharmaceutical effluents are known to contain varying concentrations of organic compounds and total solids including heavy metals. Heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Nickel, Chromium and other toxic organic chemicals or phenolic compounds discharged from pharmaceutical industries are known to affect the surface and ground waters (Foess and Ericson, 1980). Due to mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of heavy metals, much attention has been paid to them since they have direct exposures to humans and other organisms.(Momodu and Anyakora, 2010). Heavy metals are natural components of the earth crust. These metals enter into living organisms through food or proximity to emission sources. They tend to bioaccumulate and are stored faster than excreted (Lenntech, 2006; Daniel et al., 1997;Davies et al.,2006). Industrial exposure accounts for a common route of contact in adults and ingestion for children (Roberts, 1999). This study was aimed at determining the presence of six heavy metals, namely Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Zinc, Copper and Nickel in the effluents of nine selected pharmaceutical companies in Lagos, Nigeria. The results obtained may form the basis for intervention by encouraging the pharmaceutical companies to effectively treat their effluent before being discharged into the environment.Pharmaceutical effluents are waste generated by pharmaceutical industry during the process of drugs manufacturing. Pharmaceutical and personal care products industries suffer from inadequate effluent treatment due to the presence of recalcitrant substances. Some of the most representative pharmaceutical and personal care products found in receiving waters include antibiotics, lipid regulators, anti-inflammatories, antiepileptic’s, tranquilizers, and cosmetic ingredients containing oil and grease. Heavy metals are chemical elements with a specific gravity that is at least 5 times the specific gravity of water. The specific gravity of water is 1 at 4°C (39°F). Simply stated, specific gravity is a measure of density of a given amount of a solid substance when it is compared to an equal amount of water. Heavy metals are dangerous because they tend to bio accumulate and can enter a water supply by industrial and consumer waste, or even from acidic rain breaking down soils and releasing heavy metals into streams, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Heavy metal toxicity can result in damaged or reduced mental and central nervous function, lower energy levels, and damage to blood composition, lungs, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. Heavy metals are not biodegradable and tend to accumulate in living organisms, causing various diseases and disorders. In small quantities, certain heavy metals are nutritionally essential for a healthy life. Some of these are referred to as the trace elements (e.g., iron, copper, manganese, and zinc). These elements, or some form of them, are commonly found naturally in foodstuffs, in fruits and vegetables, and in commercially available multivitamin products. Allergies are not uncommon and repeated long-term contact with some metals or their compounds may even cause cancer. Most of the metals are known to be toxic and half of these, including cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver and zinc, are released into the environment in quantities that pose a risk to human.

EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS PRESENT IN WASTE WATER EFFLUENTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRIES