ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF A BEVERAGE INDUSTRIAL UNIT

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to investigate the impacts of beverage industrial unit located at Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan as the residents of the area are under threat due to various emissions and effluents discharged from this industrial unit. In addition to the soil analysis, water monitoring and ambient air quality monitoring has been carried out. Materials and Methods: The effluent was collected from existing plant outlet. The ground water sample was collected from a nearest settlement outside the plant boundary. Air quality monitoring was carried out at two locations of the study area. Results: Results of effluent sample were within permissible limits of National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) while the ground water samples were also found well according to the guidelines given by World Health Organization (WHO) standards, with the exception of total colony count and total coliforms. Moreover the results of the air quality monitoring indicate that the concentration of CO, NO2 and SO2 at selected sites were well within the limits specified in United States Environmental Protection Agency, (USEPA) standards. It was observed that the increased concentration of PM10 was due to the existing plant operation and road construction in immediate vicinity of the existing plant boundary. Conclusion: The results call for proper monitoring programs so that the parameters may not cross permissible limits in future.