European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND HEAVY METAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTEWATER FROM SELECTED LAUNDRIES IN BENIN METROPOLIS, BENIN CITY. NIGERIA

Eric O. Osazuwa* and Margaret A. Kalu

ABSTRACT

Background: Laundry wastewater refers to untreated waste water that is obtained from washing clothes. Pollution discharges containing surfactants cause severe changes to biota because the activities of many aquatic organisms depend fundamentally on water surface tension. Modern detergent formulations the entire product just the surfactant- contain several components. These compounds when not adequately broken down before being released into the environment constitute a nuisance to both the environment and the health of man. The physicochemical and heavy metal characterization of wastewater from selected laundries in Benin metropolis was studied. Methods: Wastewater samples were collected in triplicates from three (3) different laundries namely Olivera, Leblanc and Radiance laundry located, in Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Uhunmwode Local Government Area respectively over a period of two (2) weeks. They were collected with sterilized plastic containers (350ml). The samples collected were then subjected to physiochemical and heavy metal content was analyzed. Results: The physicochemical analysis revealed the dissolved oxygen (2.96-3.78 mg/l), total dissolved solid (157-562 mg/l), total suspended solid (22-235 mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (160-1320 mg/l), turbidity (65-306 mg/l), Alkalinity (32-188 mg/l), Sulphate (78-296 mg/l), chloride (13-60 mg/l), chlorine (0.34-1.28 mg/l), nitrate (15.8-64.6 mg/l), phosphorus (0.42-2.46 mg/l) and nitrogen (0.66-2.58 mg/l). The heavy metal content showed the lead(0.30-0.35mg/l), Nickel (0.25-0.50mg/l), manganese(0.13-0.43mg/l), cadmium (0.10-0.68mg/l), copper (0.13-0.44mg/l) and zinc(1.59-4.00mg/l). Conclusion: The results show the characteristics of laundry wastewater do not meet the approved standard of the Federal ministry of environment (FMENV) and as such pose negative environmental and health effects.

Keywords: Laundry, wastewater, pollution, discharge, physicochemical, heavy metal, environment, FMENV.