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DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METAL IN EFFLUENTS FROM SOME SELECTED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

ABSTRACT

The concentrations of some heavy metals in the effluents of nine pharmaceutical companies operating in Lagos, Nigeria were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metals analyzed in this study included Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc and Copper. Most of the samples were found to contain the metals in varying concentrations. The highest concentration of heavy metal detected was Zinc with concentration of 1.437 mg/L. Mostly, the concentrations were above the WHO recommended maximum contaminant concentration level. The highest concentrations were found to be 0.132 mg/L for Nickel, 0.644 mg/L for Lead, 0.337 mg/L for Copper, 0.280 mg/L for Cadmium, 1.437 mg/L for Zinc, and 0.491 mg/L for Chromium. This study reveals the need for enforcing adequate effluent treatment methods before their discharge to surface water to reduce their potential environmental hazards.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Industrial activities, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, play a crucial role in driving economic growth and providing essential products for human health. However, these activities also generate vast amounts of wastewater, often laden with various contaminants, including heavy metals. Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with high atomic weights and densities, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As). While these elements are necessary for certain industrial processes, their improper disposal and release into the environment can have severe consequences on both human health and ecological systems. 

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the major contributors to the global economy, constantly innovating and producing life-saving medications for various ailments. The manufacturing processes within pharmaceutical companies are inherently complex, involving numerous chemical reactions and the use of diverse raw materials. As a result, the generation of industrial effluents containing heavy metals is a well-documented concern for environmental and public health.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing processes are characterized by the synthesis, formulation, and packaging of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms. Throughout these processes, chemicals are utilized, and various chemical by-products are generated, leading to the discharge of wastewater, known as effluents. Unfortunately, these effluents can contain toxic heavy metals as contaminants, which may ultimately find their way into nearby water bodies or the soil. 

Background of Heavy Metal Contamination:

Heavy metals are persistent environmental pollutants, and even at trace levels, they pose substantial risks to both ecosystems and human health. Their accumulation in the environment can occur through various pathways, including agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition, and industrial discharges. However, it is the latter, particularly from industrial processes like pharmaceutical manufacturing, that is of particular concern due to the potential for concentrated releases.

Heavy metals can persist in the environment for extended periods, and certain metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium are known to bioaccumulate in organisms, moving up the food chain. As a consequence, even low concentrations of these metals in effluents can have far-reaching consequences, affecting aquatic organisms and, ultimately, humans through