Impact of cement factory operations on air quality and human health in Ewekoro Local Government Area, South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of pollutants associated with cement production and the effects on ambient air and community health were assessed in this study. Suspended particulates were monitored using a Negretti 1000 TM air sampler. Additionally, an Ogawa TM sampler was employed to assess levels of selected gaseous pollutants at selected sites. To collect data on health status, a questionnaire survey was used for selected neighbouring communities and clinic records for industry workers. The data were analysed with the aid of percentage, variation test, correlation and regression statistics. Mean concentrations of particulate matter of 10 μ (74-338 μg/m 3 ) and 2.5 μ (28-116 μg/m 3 ) were significantly higher than permissible limits (50 μg/m 3 and 10 μg/m 3 ) within and around the production plant. At all sites, levels of sulphur dioxide (0.1-12 ppb), nitrogen dioxide (0.1-13 ppb) and carbon monoxide (0.1-1.7 ppm) were below the allowable limits for human exposure. Analysis of variance showed significant spatial variations (p < 0.01) in the concentrations of the monitored pollutants; higher concentrations were monitored at sites in proximity to factory location. The health profile of the factory workers and some residents of neighbouring communities showed high levels of respiratory and skin infections. Enforcement of law with regard to compliance on emissions and creation of a buffer zone around the cement factory would safeguard the environment and human health.

Prevalence of Cement Dust Exposure Related Illnesses among Residents of A Mining Community in North West Nigeria

“…Oguntoke et al 17 in their study on Impact of cement factory operations on air quality and human health in Ewekoro Local Government Area, South-Western Nigeria, found that the health profile of the factory workers and some residents of neighbouring communities showed high levels of respiratory and skin infections. Earlier studies 11,13,15,18 focused on cement factory workers or measured respirable dust concentration to which the workers were exposed to within the factory 13 .…”

“…This may be because the non-exposed community (as well as the exposed) is located in the northern fringes of the Nigeria close to the Sahara desert. Earlier studies have shown that cement dust exposure in the factory 11,17 or in the community 17 led to higher prevalence of illnesses such as cough, phlegm, breathlessness, wheeze, shortness of breath with wheeze, chest pain, skin lesions and conjunctivitis. This high prevalence of illnesses as a result of chronic cement dust exposure could be as a result of the nature of cement which is highly alkaline; (P H 12-13) 7 its setting process is exothermic.…”

“…Few researchers have measured the level of respirable cement dust in their study environment. Oguntoke et al 17 20 This sampling equipment consists of a gas pump that sucks in air thereby causing respirable dust in the air to be captured. Its cassette consists of a fibre filter which was weighed before use.…”

Effect of Cement Dust Exposure on Lung Function among Residents of Kalambaina Community in Sokoto State, Nigeria

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11] Oguntoke and his colleagues in their study in Ewekoro Local Government Area, South-Western Nigeria on both cement factory workers and residents of Ewekoro found that the health profile of the factory workers and some residents of neighbouring communities showed high levels of respiratory and skin infections. 12 A study carried out on the workers of this cement factory in Kalambaina found that cement dust was deleterious to health of the workers. 6,7 The study found the vital capacity and forced expiratory volume for one second percent [FEV 1 %] were found to be significantly lower in the cement factory workers than in the control subjects.…”

“…Some workers have postulated that cement dust is inert and harmless to humans and animals. In a 1987 review of literature, Holt 12 reported that Portland cement has no adverse effect on health of cement workers in England. Some reports support this view.…”