Heavy Metals : Health Hazards of Heavy Metals by Tanneries

Tanning industry is very important for exporting leather in Pakistan. Kasur is important for having tanneries and about 180 tanneries are working there which is now gone up to 200. About 150 tons of solid tanning industrial waste and 9000 cubic meter of waste water is discharged on daily basis and cause environmental pollution as there is no appropriate industrial state for tanneries in this city. Kasur soil is generally soft alluvial. When tanning industrial wastes applied on fields under controlled conditions, the productivity of soil is found to be decreased. Tanning industrial wastes containing heavy metals incorporate into soil and absorbed by plants. When animals consume these plants, heavy metals accumulate in their bodies and cause severe health problems.