Synthetic Textile Dyes: Constitution, Dying process and Environmental Impacts

Abstract

Colour and impart attraction to the fabric but its use for dying has become a big environmental hazard. Art of applying colour to the fabric is known to mankind since 3500BC. In 1856 W.H. Perkins discovered the use of synthetic dyes which provide a wide range of fast and bright colors. Use of synthetic dyes has an adverse effect on all forms of life. The harmful chemicals present in textile effluents react with many disinfectants especially chlorine and form bi products that are often carcinogens. Colloidal matter presents along with color increases the turbidity, gives bad appearance, foul smell and prevents the penetration of sunlight into water bodies required for the photosynthesis which interfere with the oxygen transfer mechanism and hence marine life. If textile dyes effluents are allowed to flow in drains and rivers it affects the quality of drinking water making unfit for human consumption. So it is important to remove these pollutants from the waste water before its final disposal into water bodies. Here in this paper the textile organic dyes, their polluting effects and various remediation's using physical, chemical and biological methods has been reviewed.