Fabrication of catalyst from heavy metal containing waste

Heavy metals are generally considered to be those whose density exceeds 5 g per cubic centimeter. A large number of elements fall into this category, but the ones listed in are those of relevance in the environmental context. Arsenic is usually regarded as a hazardous heavy metal even though it is actually a semi-metal. Heavy metals cause serious health effects, including reduced growth and development, cancer, organ damage, nervous system damage, and in extreme cases, death. Exposure to some metals, such as mercury and lead, may also cause development of autoimmunity, in which a person’s immune system attacks its own cells. This can lead to joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the kidneys, circulatory system, nervous system, and damaging of the fetal brain. At higher doses, heavy metals can cause irreversible brain damage. Children may receive higher doses of metals from food than adults, since they consume more food for their body weight than adults. Wastewater regulations were established to minimize human and environmental exposure to hazardous chemicals. This includes limits on the types and concentration of heavy metals that may be present in the discharged wastewater.

Author(s): Guangren Qian, Qiang Liu , Jia Zhang

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