One environmental detriment is that aluminum sulfate has adverse effects on the environment because this chemical is used to clear and take out any water impurities. When too much aluminium sulfate is added to the water, the ions of aluminium sulfate hang around in the water, or sometimes aluminium sulfate is leeched into the water of an aquarium which causes fish and other aquatic animals to experience toxic effects. Aluminium sulfate is toxic to fish because it interferes with their ability to breathe because the aluminum sulfate fills the gills of the fish (Huck 2002). This environmental detriment is important to consider when using aluminium sulfate as a filtration device because it can cause excess aluminium sulfate to hang around in the water. If this is consumed then it can cause adverse effects on the human nervous system because of its acidity and chemical properties. Aluminium sulfate that has entered the body can then cause many diseases and disorders such as osteomalacia, glucose intolerance, and cardiac arrest (ES, 1997).
An industrial detriment is the hazard posed to workers due to the production of sulfur oxides. When heated, aluminum sulfate has a decomposition reaction which produces sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. Both sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide are toxic and can pose serious health hazards to workers, who are exposed to aluminum sulfate under a thermal decomposition. When inhaled, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide can cause burning in the throat and nose, breathing difficulties and airway obstructions. Workers who are exposed to sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide are inclined to experience changes in the functioning of their lungs. (Boyd, 2014) In the industry it is important to make sure that when aluminium sulfate is being used, you are safe and protected from the harm it can do to your body. Aluminium sulfate causes a decomposition reaction when it is heated. This makes it important for individuals to reconsider the negative effects it can bring upon. Some of the negative effects aluminium sulfate may bring upon humans and the industry itself are airway obstructions, and breathing difficultes.
In order to combat environmental detriement, the industry has created a distributed control system. A distributed control system controls the effluent. The effluent is collected in sumps, which contain level probes. When the limit is reached, the sump pumps run the water through a common pH pot. If the pH exceeds the limit, than the water is transferred to a holding tank, in order to be mixed with reaction water. If the pH is under the limit, it is suspended to an effluent stream. The stream is investigated for solids and pH levels. All of the results and findings are sent to environment waikato. (Donaldson, n.d.)
