Page 61 - Energy from Toxic Organic Waste for Heat and Power Generation

Toxic Waste From Textile Industries 49

4.11 USED OILS
The oils used during textile processing and present in the effluent lead to
potential acute health effects such as hazardous in case of ingestion and
physical contact. The oils produce severe carcinogenic effects of the hu-
mans. Highly refined mineral oils are not classified as human carcinogens.
However, related forms (untreated and mildly treated oils used in metal ma-
chining, mule spinning, and jute processing) are listed as human carcinogens
by International Agency for Research on Cancer (Group 1) [22,23].
Oils are not expected to cause any skin irritation upon direct single
or repeated and prolonged contact. However, similar products with similar
chemical composition applied to the skin of lab animals resulted in minimal
to slight dermal irritation.
• Eyes: May cause mild (minimal) eye irritation.
• Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation with coughing and
shortness of breath. This product has a low vapor pressure and is not
expected to present an inhalation hazard at ambient conditions. Caution
should be taken to prevent aerosolization or misting. If aspiration occurs,
it may lead to chemical pneumonitis which is characterized by pulmo-
nary edema and hemorrhage and may be fatal. Signs of lung involve-
ment include increased respiratory rate, increased heart rate, and bluish
discoloration of the skin. Coughing, choking, and gagging are often
noted at the time of aspiration.
• Ingestion: Ingestion is relatively nontoxic unless aspiration occurs. It has
laxative properties and may cause gastrointestinal tract discomfort, ab-
dominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Exposure to a large single dose,
or repeated small doses by inhalation, aspiration, or ingestion leading to
aspiration can lead to lipid pneumonia or lipid granuloma. These are
low-grade, chronic localized tissue reactions which are not fatal.
Oils may also be combustible at high temperature and indicate the pres-
ence of fire hazard. Oils used in textile processing are slightly flammable to
flammable in presence of open flames and sparks of heat [22,23].

4.12 DYESTUFFS AND PIGMENTS CONTAINING
DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES
Presence of color in the waste water is one of the main problems in
textile industry. Colors are easily visible to human eyes even at very low