Environmental impact of the chemical industry
The chemical industry makes products with many beneficial uses but they also have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Through the activity of any chemical industry, different pollutants may be released into the environment. The composition of pollutants will vary depending on the nature of the industrial product. The major environmental impact of industrial activities is the release of materials into the atmosphere and hydrosphere. This allows the transport of the pollutants away from the industrial site. The environmental impact of chemical industries can be studied under the following headings:
Atmospheric pollution
The natural composition of air is about 78% N2, 20.9%O2, 0.9% Ar, 0.035% CO2 and 0.53 % water with many hundreds of trace components. Some of these can be explained by natural release or direct industrial activities (primary pollutants) and others are formed indirectly by a chemical process in the atmosphere (secondary pollutants). Natural emissions of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, hydrogen sulphides and ammonia through oxidation in the atmosphere can form acidic compounds when dissolved in the water contributing to the natural acidity of rainwater called acid rain. The routine combustion of fossil fuels for energy production for the chemical industry releases significant quantities of CO and CO2. The increased use of fossil fuels for energy production has increased the particulate matter as well as CO2 gas which appears a net increase of 0.3% of CO2 in the atmosphere each year. It decreases air quality and causes global warming and climate change. The CFCs released from industries cause ozone layer depletion. Another air pollution released by the chemical industry is volatile organic compounds. The volatile chemicals are released into the atmosphere during manufacture, distribution and storage. Improper management and accidents in the company are responsible for releasing different toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Aquatic pollution
Not only during chemical production but its use in different applications involves the running of chemicals into the water and polluting it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are commonly chlorides, sulphates, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers, carbonates, bicarbonates, calcium and magnesium salts, toxic heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Runoff of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water. The oils from the petrochemical industry can cause the death of many fish and aquatic animals.
Soil pollution
Soil pollution refers to anything that causes contamination of soil and degrades the soil quality. The soil generally on the surface of the earth consists of minerals, decaying organic matter, water, flora and fauna. Soil contamination occurs due to chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, ammonia, petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, nitrates, mercury, naphthalene, etc. in excess amounts. The incorrect way of chemical waste disposal from different types of chemical industries can cause contamination of soil.
