Indoor and outdoor pollution in cloth dyeing: Examples from textile studios in Nigeria tertiary institutions

Abstract

Cloth dyeing has been confirmed to be a major cause of pollution because the dyes used contain some substances which are injurious to humans and their environment. This paper examined cloth dyeing activities in some selected art institutions in Nigeria. The study made use of 50 systematically selected students from the three levels of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. All the institutions surveyed lack adequate studio spaces, ventilation, personal protective equipment, and dye waste drainage required for productive and hazard-free cloth dyeing. It was also discovered that most synthetic dyes used have no user guides. This paper concluded that more dyes need to be studied for hazard identification and prevention. Adequate provision for studio space and amenities should be vigorously pursued and governments should monitor manufacturers of synthetic dyes and chemicals to reduce or eliminate health risks in cloth dyeing. © 2010 WIT Press.