Removal of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solution Using Fruits Peel as a Low Cost Adsorbent

Global heavy metal pollution in the environment is a serious concern. The discharge of heavy metals from various anthropogenic and technogenic sources into the aquatic system poses a threat to the health of biota. Heavy metals persist in the environment since they cannot be degraded nor destroyed and finally reach the human through food chain. The major sources of lead pollution into waste water include batteries, pigments, paints, petrol, cables, steel, alloys, and plastic industries (Meitei, et al.,2013). Lead poisoning causes damage to the nervous system, reproductive system, kidney and brain. The effect of lead toxicity also include impaired blood synthesis, hypertension, severe stomach ache and even cause miscarriage in pregnant women (Jeyakumar, et al.,2014 ).The permissible level of lead in drinking water is 0.01 mg/l according to World Health Organization. So a very low concentration of lead in water is very toxic. Therefore it is of great relevance to remove Pb(II) ion from aquatic environment using low cost adsorbents.