The work aimed at the characterization of wastes and liquid effluents from galvanizing industry in order to identify the main elements responsible for their toxicity and the classification of the residues as hazardous or non hazardous. The characterization of the samples showed that Zn and Fe are the predominant elements. However, elements like Ni, Cd, Al, Mn, Cu, F, Cr and Ca are present as minority or as trace constituents. According to the standard procedure (Norma ABNT NBR10004/2004) the elements Cd and Cr are the main constituents responsible for the classification of the residues as hazardous. The residues that are generated in the phosphatization process may be considered as non hazardous in spite of being a priori considered as hazardous. Based on the results, it was possible to present an overall view of the galvanizing industry residues. Data can be useful as a guide to help the industry to propose alternatives to eliminate or decrease the levels of contaminants in order to classify them as non hazardous wastes.
Galvanizing industry; wastes; leaching; effluents
