Water Pollution: Globalization, one of the Causes and Part of the Solution

Textile industry and its impact in the Water Pollution: Globalization, one of the causes and part of the solution

Karla Verduzco

Webster University

Abstract

It is well known that industrialization and actual society behavior are the main causes of the environmental damaged. This essay explores the effect of the textile industry on the water pollution in the villages where some factories have been established; and how this is affecting the people on a local level; along with the impact in a global scale on the consumers, government, environmentalist, retailers and Universities.

Globalization plays a role as an agent of the production increase of the large companies.  This increase creates more jobs but increase as well the waste discharge into the environment. In contrast to this, it can help as well to find the solution.

INTRODUCTION

There are so many environmental issues affecting the planet, from climate change to loss of biodiversity among others.  These problems are being part of the human history for a long time; since the European colonization some ecosystems of Latin America were altered, however the biggest damaged happened in the last 60 years (Held and McGrew, 2008) it is common knowledge that pollution is a consequence of the industrialization and massive consumption.  Can globalization help with some of the environmental issues?

How the Pollution occurs.

The contamination begins with the pesticide use to grow the raw material for the fabrics; the pollution continues during the manufacturing process, textile industry needs a big quantity of chemicals to treat and dye the fabrics. Those chemicals and wastewater is discharged into the rivers.

It has been estimated that 17 to 20% fresh water pollution is caused by the textile industry. Even though some chemicals can be degraded, it is not possible to clean out all the pollutants http://nwfabricshow.com/what-makes-a-company-sustainable/#.U5eIVMZVhFI

According to Nangare (2007) “Major portion of the water is used for wet processing of textiles (i.e. 60% to 70%). Humidification of spinning and weaving sheds require about 5 to 10% water. Generally the quantity varies from 125 liters to 200 liters of water per Kg of cloth produced”

Impact for the Community.

        Some nations have been benefit with the opening of  textile factories that are increasing exportations and creating new jobs in the community, unfortunately they are facing as well the issue of polluted water due to the production increase of those factories. The water pollution caused for the textile industry is specially affecting some developing countries. A study made by Nangare (2007) reports that in Inchalkaranji, India wastewater is discharged without any pretreatment. “The entire area is highly polluted due to the groundwater contamination.”  Green Peace has denounced contamination in Mexico: dangerous chemicals were found in the rivers of Queretaro and Aguascalientes. The companies expose were Kaltex and Lavamex, both companies dye and wash the fabric that will be exported to the United States. http://www.laopinion.com/greenpeace-denuncia-empresas-textiles