The expedited advent of urbanization and industrialization in our countries has led to environmental degradation and pollution of air, water and soil. Tanneries are typically characterized as pollution intensive industrial complexes.
The Government in Egypt planned to relocate the old Cairo leather tanneries of Magra El Oyoun to a new industrial zone in the outskirts of the capital, 54 km away from the actual site. The old area will be used for touristic purpose. Magra El Oyoun Wall is a medieval Mamluk aqueduct that dates back to about 500 years and connects the Nile to the Citadel of Saladin. The Government's program is judged to be ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just and humane.
Tannery activities impact negatively the environment and the health risks among the workers employed in this industry. The waste generated from leather tanning takes the form of solids, heavy metals, liquids, sludges or contained gases. All these wastes pose potential threats to public health and the environment.
Conventional treatment methods such as neutralization, clari-flocculation and biological processes are required to clean the effluents before dumping into the earth. The conclusions arrived at from the preliminary study carried out by Cairo University insisted to the following remedial points:
- Soil replacement whenever required
- Stabilization of the soil by solidification in some specific areas
- Pumping of untreated water using tile drainage technique
- Complete monitoring for the next 25 years
- Protecting Nile river from all wastes emanating from such industry
- Recycling of wastewater is required