VPE 511: Environment and Environmental Hygiene (2+1)

HEAVY METAL INDUSTRY

• Rapid industrialization, increased anthropogenic activities, modern agricultural practices and faulty waste disposal methods have increased the concentration of elemental pollutants in the environment, which cause toxicity to all living organisms.
• Contamination of radionuclide has also become problematic since the development of nuclear technology in the second half of the 20^th century.
• Other sources of radioactive contamination include, naturally occurring radioactive materials such as uranium, thorium, radon and radium. Recognition of the ecological and human health hazards of the pollutants has led to the development of several technologies for remediation.
• However, due to the prohibitive cost of some of these technologies, attention has been diverted towards the development of alternate / complementary technologies, such as bioremediation, which uses materials of microbial and plant origin.
• Bioremediation of radionuclides, heavy metals and organic waste has been a major recent activity in the laboratory and compared to the conventional treatment methods, these biomass-based systems are more acceptable in being cost effective, with high efficiency of detoxification of even very dilute effluents, and in minimizing the disposable sludge volume.
• In conclusion strive to archive proper and balanced nutrition by choosing fresh (organic when possible) fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meat, and cold-water fish. Consider taking supplemental antioxidants, herbs, minerals, amino acids, phytoextracts, detoxifying agents, protective agents, and fibre as adjuncts to a healthy diet to enhance vital organ functioning and to aid your body’s natural detoxifying actions against heavy metals.