IMPACT OF HARMFUL

CHEMICALS

Shalu kumari
BFT/18/356
Harmful chemicals used in
finishing

Organotin compounds
Urea
 PFCs
 SCCPs
 Formaldehyde
 Potassium permanganate
 Pthalates
 Base chemicals
(acid ,alkali,
sodium chloride)

Dyes Textile energy

Natural fibres: 10-20 MJ/kg
Synthetic fibres: 5-50 MJ/kg

Textile Water
auxiliaries finishing 60-360 l/kg textile

Polluted air Waste

Sewage sludge:
60-70 g/kg textile
Water
effluent
Formaldehyde
Harmful effects:
•These are most frequently reported allergens and can
irritate mucous membrane and respiratory tract.

Urea
Harmful effects:
•Can be irritating to skin , eyes and the respiratory tract,
repeated or prolonged contact with urea may cause
dermatitis.
Organotin compounds

Harmful effects:
•Compounds like TBT and DOT can effect immune
and reproductive systems skin and eye irritations.

SCCPs
Harmful effects:
•Causes skin dryness and cracking and are carcinogenic .
•Highly toxic to aquatic organisms
•Does not readily break down in the environment and,
•Has a high potential to accumulate in living organisms.
PFCs
Harmful effects:
•Effects liver and alter levels of growth of reproductive
hormones.

Pthalates
Harmful effects:
•Classed as “toxic to reproduction”. Can contribute to the
development of certain cancers. Toxic to aquatic organisms.

Potassium
Permanganate(KMNO4)
Harmful effects :
•It is corrosive to eyes , skin respiratory tract for short periods of
exposures and can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis.
Health hazards in garment industry
Process Chemicals used Health hazards

Delustering Phenol , turpentine ,pine Allergy including

oil , resins containing In some cases carcinogenic
formaldehyde , alkali substances.
sulphide , glauber salt ,
barium chloride
Abrasion resistance finish Silica gel VOCs causing irritation of
Plastic resins respiratory system , skin
allergies
Sanforizing Urea formaldehyde Skin allergies
Melamine formaldehyde Carcinogenic properties
Anti static finishing Surface active substances Skin allergies
 Process Chemicals used Health hazards

Desizing Enzymes or sulphuric acid Bloating and diarrhoea,

for starch, detergents and irritant to eyes and skin.
alkali for PVA and CMC.

Scouring NAOH, NA2CO3, Non-ionic detergents may

surfactants, chlorinated cause bloating and
solvents. diarrhoea, irritant to eyes
and skin.

Anti-felt finish Chlorine, polyamide, Epich Chlorine vapour is

chlorohydrin resin. hazardous, and can cause
respiration problems.

Hydrophilising Polyamide , Polyacrylic , VOCs, possibly skin

silicon. allergies.
 Process Chemicals used
Moth proofing Chlorinated sulphonamide Causes neuro toxic effects.
Derivatives , Biphenyl ether
, urea derivatives
pyrethroids
Anti-crease Softeners , fluorinated
chemicals.
Water proofing Paraffin,aluminiuum salts ,
Zircon salts , silicone
,fluorocarbon resins
Flame proofing Catalyst , fotmaldehyde
Bleaching Hypochlorite , hydrogen
peroxide , acetic acid
Health hazards
Causes vomiting and
coughing
Headaches,weakness,
memory loss and affects
function of kidney and liver
and also causes asthma.
High concentration can
cause respiratory arrest.
Chlorine gas released
causes severe irritation of
respiratory tract and eyes
problems
 Major environmental problems:
It is important for each source of waste to be carefully identified for
a textile processing operation. This can be done by
• Inventory control and knowledge of potential pollutants in purchased
products
• Products analysis
This section will concentrate on the identification of pollutant
sources in textile processing. Specific types of pollutants that
will be considered in detail are:
i. BOD
ii. Acidity
iii. Toxicity
iv. Air emissions
v. Metals.
Thank you