摘要：The demand for phosphate fertilizers in India increased significantly during the Green revolution resulting in mushrooming growth of phosphatic fertilizer plants. The increase in the number of these industries has caused serious environmental problems due to release of toxic contaminants into air, water and soil. These industries have gained an ugly distinction as one of the worst polluting industries. The air emissions contain fluorides and SO2 along with heavy metals. Phosphogypsum, the major solid waste produced in these industries may contain trace metals and radionuclides. The liquid waste from these industries contains phosphates, fluorides and suspended solids. Inhalations of the toxic fumes from these industries cause autoimmune disorders, lung diseases, liver dysfunction etc. Phosphogypsum could contaminate surface and ground water sources. Large scale fluorosis and osteosarcoma in humans due to this contamination have been reported. Minimization of the environmental damage is possible by adoption and implementation of cleaner production processes, appropriate treatment technologies, bulk utilization of solid waste and following the standard emission guidelines.
