Marble Production and Environmental Pressure: A Case Study of Hayatabad Industrial Estate Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract Background and Objectives: A gradual growth of the human population has increased the demand for resources, which has put pressure on available natural resources. Industrialization is one of the important sectors to meet human needs. The increasing trend of industrialization is associated with a considerable amount of waste generation which can significantly affect the environment. The marble manufacturing industry is one of the major waste-generating industries that requires special mitigation and environmental assessment to minimize its harmful impacts on the environment. Methodology: For this purpose, Hayatabad industrial estate was visited for marble processing plants to know about the mitigation process for marble-waste management. During the fieldwork, 6 marble processing plants were investigated and kept under observation for production to waste management process. To determine the quality of wastewater, samples were also taken at industrial discharge points. The assessment of marble processing plants included the analysis of physical and chemical environmental resources (product and byproduct) generated by the marble industries. To reduce the pollution load, wastewater of the marble industry was treated in the laboratory by adopting physical and chemical treatment methods. The results obtained were compared with the required permissible limits recommended by the Pak-NEQS and WHO. Results Findings of the study revealed that the chemical parameters of wastewater were observed above the required limits suggested by the Pak-NEQS/WHO. The noise was also found above the required standards which needs special attention. In terms of water, air and land resources, contamination has been observed through unsafe waste disposal strategies adopted by the marble industries. Results of the chemical treatment (coagulation) with hydrated ferric chloride showed maximum removal of suspended load with 92% efficiency. Conclusion It is concluded that marble processing units pose serious threats to the environmental quality by degrading air, water and soil resources. Keeping in view the national standards, these industries need special attention for the waste generation and its safe disposal.