Evaluation of the toxicological impact of textile industry using a multi-criteria ranking of toxic compounds

Conducting a global toxicological evaluation of chemicals is a considerable challenge, as each single chemical is characterised by specific toxicological features (lethal effects, carcinogenicity, etc.). Given the increasing concern regarding the use of chemicals in everyday life and workplaces, in recent years several methods for chemical hazard screening have been developed [1, 2]. In all cases, a limited number of categories was defined, thus significant difference in toxicity among chemicals could be minimised. In this work, a number of chemicalswere subjected to a toxicological ranking based on the most important types of toxicity using multi-criteria analysis (MCA). Data about pollutant global hazard and concentration values in wastewater were combined to provide an indication about the toxicological impact of textile factories. GreenPeace identified eleven classes of hazardous chemicals that should be eliminated by top brands in the framework of the "Detox" campaign [3], with the aim of reducing water pollution caused by the textile industry. The MCA ranking included the above mentioned classes of chemicals with the addition of cyanide, given its known lethal effect. The types of toxicity selected as criteria were: acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, acute aquatic toxicity and chronic aquatic toxicity, in this order of importance. Heavy metals and cyanide were the most dangerous compoundsidentified by the assessment. On average, the most polluting facilities were located in India and China. Since incoming water was usually characterised by a minimum toxicological impact, the responsibility for the high toxicity scores of facilities wereassigned to the suppliers.