Pollution Sources and Standards of Cashew Nut Processing

Problem statement: India is largest producer, processor, exporter and second largest consumer of cashew in the world with annual production of 6,20,000 MT. India processed about 1.18 million MT of raw cashew seeds through 3650 cashew processing industries scattered in many states of country. The cashew industries employed different unit operations/ methodologies for processing depend on variety of raw material, location, technological mechanization and availability of secured energy supply. Approach: There are two commonly followed methods of cashew nut processing, viz., roasting process and steam (roasting) process. The sources of different environmental pollutant discharged in to the atmosphere during the cashew nut processing have been revealed in the article. Results: The environmental standards for air pollution emission for roasting process, steam cooking process and broma oven have been presented. The solid waste disposal practice and new and relocation sitting criteria have been discussed for cashew processing industries. Conclusion: The cashew nut processing by cooking (steam roasting) process, which is relatively less pollution intensive and an alternative process to roasting process may be considered to reduce the environmental discharge load.