Assessment of Physical Parameters and Heavy Metals in Wastewater of Selected Industries in Industrial Estate Hayatabad Peshawar

Abstract

The study was conducted in Industrial Estate of Hayatabad Peshawar, Pakistan. Three types of industries were chosen (pharmaceutical, marble and cooking oil). Wastewater of these industries was analyzed for different parameters. It was found that the highest pH value was in marble industry (M1 = 9.94) while the least recorded was in pharmaceutical industry (P1 = 5.94). The highest EC value was recorded in cooking oil industry (C2 = 1520 µS) while the least was recorded in pharmaceutical industry (P2 = 572 µS). The TSS were found highest in cooking oil industry (C1 = 223 mg/L). The TDS was found the most in cooking oil industry (C2 = 3978 mg/L). Similarly, the TS was found highest in cooking oil industry (C2 = 4185 mg/L) and least in pharmaceutical industry (P1 = 2239 mg/L). The sole heavy element detected in every sample was lead (Pb), yet none of them went above the allowable level. The highest Pb was detected in cooking oil industry (C1 = 0.45 mg/L) while the least was detected in marble industry (M1 = 0.21 mg/L). Zn was only detected in cooking oil industry and Fe was present in cooking oil and pharmaceutical industry in small quantity. Overall, the wastewater of cooking oil of both industries were exceeding many permissible limits of National Environmental Quality standards.