Environment: End-of-pipe treatment in the metal industry

An important environmental problem associated with the metal industry is water pollution, caused by the discharge of untreated effluents from immersion baths. Liquid waste arising from rinsing operations contains a substantial amount of organic and suspended pollution. Some of the chemicals discharged are toxic or can lower the dissolved oxygen content of receiving waters, threaten aquatic life and damage general water quality downstream.

Air pollution is another important environmental problem. Emissions are released in the form of dust and toxic emissions mostly during finishing processes, such as painting and galvanising. The downloadable document gives brief information on the most important end-of-pipe treatments for the metal industry.