Waste Management and Potential Environmental Impacts of Occupational Vat Dyeing Practices in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Industrial effluents in Nigeria are not treated in most cases but dumped into nearby open drainages  and water bodies which is an exact situation in Kano metropolis. Vat dyes are the main causes of  pollution in textile wastewaters and other industrial effluents. The aim of this paper is to investigate  the waste management strategies of occupational dyers in Kano metropolis and determine the potential  environmental impacts of the dyeing activity. A structured questionnaire was administered among 1387  dyers and further information was obtained via focus group discussion and observation. Data were  analysed by descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) using statistical package for the social  sciences (SPSS) software. Results showed that environmental officers played a vital role in educating  the dyers on the impacts of chemicals on the environment as well as waste management. Effluent from  the dyehouses is not treated and the drainages are poor which could cause ground water contamination  since the dyehouses are in close proximity to residential areas. The dyers are well aware of some of the  potential impacts of their wastewaters. The study recommends that the dyehouses should be relocated  to the industrial areas of the state and relevant agencies should enforce stringent environmental laws  with regards to effluent discharge. The dyers should also be encouraged to revert to the use of natural  dyes which are less polluting for sustainable development.