Impact of cement dust pollution on respiratory systems of Lafarge cement workers, Ewekoro, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this investigation, the impact of cement dust pollution on respiratory systems of Lafarge cement workers was evaluated. A total of 120 respondents; 60 from the factory workers and 60 (controls) from Ifo, a nearby village 22 km NE of the factory were interviewed in 2014 using a modified respiratory symptom score questionnaire. Two hypotheses were formulated in null form and tested at 95% probability level. Descriptive statistics, independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare treatments while Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe multiple comparisons were used for comparing groups. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in the rate of breathlessness and wheezing, cough, chest illnesses and past illnesses between factory workers and controls. There were however significant differences in rates of breathlessness and wheezing, and past illnesses between workers in packing section and other sections of the factory. The study recommended that the government should look into the welfare of lafarge cement workers to ensure that additional and adequate safety devices are provided to the factory workers.

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“…Hence, increase to exposure of high concentration of particulate matters from cement dust can adversely deteriorate factory workers' health. This data is in accordance with the findings by Chukwu and Ubosi (2016) and Nkhama (2017).…”

“…Critical examination of Figure 5 revealed that respondents who worked in the storage and transportation section of the factory had the highest percentage (77.3%) in the use of PPE against respondents from cement milling and blending section with the least percentage ratio of (54.5%). This finding disagreed with earlier submission by Chukwu and Ubosi (2016) H02: There is no significant relationship between the perceived health risk associated with cement dust exposure and factory workers' health Examination of data as displayed in Table 4 revealed a significant relationship between the perceived health risk associated with cement dust exposure and the health of factory workers at 0.05 level. This implies that a significant relationship exist between the perceived health risks associated with cement dust exposure and the health of factory workers.…”

“…Nigeria has been reported to be rich in solid minerals with statistics affirming the nation as the highest producer of cement in West Africa with over twelve cement factories sited across the country (Ogunbileje et al, 2010). There is an assumption that cement workers are from the lower socio-economic class and are often hired without the pre-requisite and needed trainings to work in cement factories and thereby deployed to work sites without proper protective gargets (Al-Neaimi et al, 2001;Chukwu & Ubosi, 2016;Meo, 2004). Also assumed is that cement factory workers in Nigeria are deficient in knowledge on the occupational hazards arising from working in highly dusty and polluted environment which is of serious concern.…”

Exposure effect to cement dust pollution: a mini review

“…Various research has shown that at different stages of cement production, there is release of dust [23,29]. The nature and amount of the raw materials as well as the topography, and weather conditions affect the concentration of the dust and dispersal patterns.…”

Hematological parameters are acutely effected by cement dust exposure in construction workers

“…6 Lime is an alkaline material and corrodes biological tissues; silica is a skin abrasive and also damages the lungs; and chromium causes allergic reactions. 7 Many of the studies 3,4,6,8,9,10 done previously demonstrated the effect of cement dust on respiratory system. These studies found out considerable decline in the lung function parameters due to cement dust inhalation.…”