Abstract

Occupational exposure is currently the most widespread menace all over India because of untreated industrial effluents. Such constant contact with toxic substances poses significant risks of occupational toxicity, which often leads to severe occupational disease among workers. It is crucial to protect workers and the general population from toxic chemicals to foster a sustainable industrial ecosystem and ensure long-term public health safety. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) emerged as a powerful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid epidemic, for monitoring public health trends by analysing lethal threats in the environment. Currently, heavy metals have been identified as the highest priority group among several kinds of pollutants known because of their adverse effects on the industry workers, the general population, and the environment. This study focuses on the feasibility of the WBE approach by utilizing advanced analytical techniques, which enable early detection of the toxicity level of metallic effluents in the wastewater produced by the industries and prevent future population health hazards. In this Review Article, techniques/procedures for treating industrial effluents are initially discussed along with currently available analytical techniques for the detection of hazardous materials present in the industrial effluents, gaps in the WBE approach in industrial wastewater management in India, followed by limitations, and prospects of wastewater management techniques.

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