THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Of SOAP AND DETERGENTS INDUSTRY IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN {£3}

Abstract

Although the industrial activities are considered as a good support for economic development that contribute to increasing the national income and diverse its sources, they are known to impose many adverse effects on the environment e.g. pollution. This study was carried out to survey the environmental impact of soap and detergents industry in Khartoum North and Omdurman industrial areas. Eight factories were selected for the present study: The Sudanese Arab Company, Bittar, Hemeidan, Magassir, Conford Soap and Toothpaste, Elgamoog, Tawfeeg and Tajooj. The importance of this study arises from the need to assess and monitor the direct and indirect challenges posed by this industry to the human environment and which may cause negative effects on human health. It is known that the impacts of this activity may alter the enviromnental equilibrium resulting from emissions i.e. pollution. This was monitored through determination the quantity, composition, disposal and effects of the liquid waste from soap and detergents factories in Khartoum state. Furthermore, the characteristics of the emissions from detergents factories in the different selected factories. Data collection was carried out experimentally to study the different physical and chemical characteristics of liquid wastes in the selected factories and through questionnaires which were statistically analyzed to collect information about the factories enviromnent. The data was collected using experimental methods and questionnaires. The experimental methods considers the following parameters in the different factories: temperature fluctuations, pH, biochemical oxygen demand “BOD”, chemical oxygen demand “COD”, total suspended solids “TSS”, oil and grease, alkalinity of the liquid waste, and some minerals, mainly Nickel, Cadmium and Lead, environmental stress and organic matter. The questionnaires data which was statistically analyzed considers the environmental issues associated with this industry. The results showed that the factories in Khartoum North and Omdunnan Industrial areas gave different physical and chemical parameters depending on the type of raw materials and products of each factory i. e. soap or detergents. There is increasing evidence that this commercial activity created many hazards cause harmfill on the enviromnent and threatens the public health especially in the vicinity of the factories. This is mainly attributed to negligence and lack of almost any enviromnental or safety