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Explora: Environment
and Resource Textile industry and environmental pollution

agricultural areas, irrigation channels, and ultimately into increase turbidity, reduce sunlight penetration, and may
rivers and seas. Industrial wastewater from textile and carry heavy metals and toxic substances. TDS includes
9,18
dyeing processes can constantly change the turbidity, odor, salts, minerals, and metals dissolved in water. High TDS
noise level, temperature, pH, and other physical, chemical, levels compromise water quality, making it unsuitable
and biological characteristics. These changes adversely for drinking and agricultural purposes. The pH of textile
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affect biodiversity, livestock, wildlife, fish populations, and effluents often deviates from the neutral range, becoming
community health. The dyes present in the wastewater either highly acidic or alkaline. Such pH levels harm aquatic
groundwater are unsuitable for human use, contributing organisms and can corrode infrastructure. Elements such
to the spread of waterborne illnesses, including dermatitis, as chromium, lead, and copper are often found in dyes
mucous membrane and nasal septal perforation, and and pigments used in textile processing. They are toxic,
severe respiratory tract irritation. Adulteration of these bioaccumulative, and carcinogenic, posing serious risks to
aquatic systems poses serious socioeconomic and public human health and biodiversity.
health threats. 18
3.2. Air pollution
Figure 1 illustrates the effluent load from textile
industries across various states in India, depicting the Air pollution is the second most significant form of
types and quantities of effluents discharged during textile pollution caused by the textile industry. It is measured by
processing and showcasing the environmental burden the concentration of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂),
imposed by these pollutants. The total effluent load carbon monoxide (CO), various metal-related gases, SO ,
x
4
presented in the figure includes: biological oxygen demand and NO . Air pollution in the textile industry mainly
x
9
(BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended originates during the finishing stages of fabric production.
solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH level, and This stage involves the application of dyes, coating
heavy metals. chemicals, and paints, which, when processed—especially
using boilers—release toxic gases and harmful substances
The BOD indicates the amount of biodegradable into the atmosphere. 9
organic matter present in the water. High BOD levels
in textile effluent point to significant organic pollution, The main source of nitrogen dioxide (NO ), one of the
2
which depletes dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems and most harmful air pollutants, is mainly formed throughthe

threatens aquatic life. COD represents the total quantity of oxidation of nitric oxide (NO), which itself is created at high
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both biodegradable and non-biodegradable chemicals in temperatures from nitrogen and oxygen present in the air.
the wastewater. High COD levels reflect a high pollution NOₓ gases are precursors to ozone and particulate matter,
load and pose a toxicity risk to the ecosystem. TSS consists and they contribute to the development of photochemical
of small solid particles suspended in wastewater that smog, reduced visibility, acid rain, and ozone depletion.
Due to their chemical properties, NO, NO and other NOₓ
2,
gases can penetrate deep into the lungs, reachingthe alveoli

and bronchioles, potentially leading to chronic respiratory
conditions, and in severe cases, early death. 4
Furthermore, NO contributes to the formation of
2
nitric acid in the atmosphere, exacerbating acid rain and
negatively affecting ecosystems. According to Hussain and
Luo (2019), an increase in SO₂ emissions corresponds
4
to a 1.01% rise in mortality risk due to respiratory
complications.
The textile industry is frequently criticized for its
detrimental effects on the environment, largely due to its
extensive use of dangerous chemicals and the emission of
harmful air pollutants like SO and NO throughout the
x
2
entire production chain — from raw material purchasing
to final product finishing. 4
3.3. Water pollution
Figure 1. Effluent load from textile industries in selected Indian states Water is an essential element for life and its availability is
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and cities fundamental to survival. The textile industry is one of the

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 3 doi: 10.36922/EER025160032