Browsing by Author "Inyaka, Godwin Igie"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Assessment of Dust Concentration and Compounds at Quarry Sites in Akamkpa Cross River State, Nigeria
    (Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-01-04) Inyaka, Godwin Igie; Alkali, Mohammed; Emeodilichi, Mba H.; Alfred, Udofia Udeme
    This study assessed dust concentration, elements and compounds at limestone quarry site and the aim was to determine the level of air pollution due to dust generated from quarrying activities, the elements and risks it poses to health and the environment. Dust samples were collected using a 224-PCXR4 sample pump and analyzed for concentrations and harmful elements/compounds constituents. The results shows that dust concentration at the quarry site was quite high on the average 51.56 mg/m3, when compared with the limit 10 mg/m3 and the study revealed that the crushing plant had more dust concentration of 92.5 mg/m3 than all the other working areas. Quarry pit had the second highest concentration, followed by garage and the office areas in descending order, three main harmful elements/compound detected in the sampled dust are; silicon dioxide with a mean concentration of 0.62 mg/m3, chromium 5.92 mg/m3 and lead 9.24 mg/m3 respectively. The study recommends that environmental management systems, which include a dust management plan, should be employed at the quarries in order to mitigate dust generation. Particularly during drilling/blasting of rocks and at the crushing plant.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    ASSESSMENT OF DUST POLLUTION AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS AMONG LIMESTONE QUARRY WORKERS IN AKAMKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
    (DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE .NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY KEFFI., 2021-04-03) Inyaka, Godwin Igie
    Dust pollution in quarries pose various health risks to the workers including respiratory ailments, skin and eye problems. Depending on the chemical composition and the concentration of the dust, the workers are exposed to inhalation of silica bearing dust thus being at risk of developing silicosis, a fatal lung disease. The aim of this study was to find out the occupational health risks posed by quarry induced dust to the quarry workers at four quarry sites in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. The study adopted descriptive research design and quota sampling technique to select 360 quarry workers for the study and dust samples were taken using a 22-PCXR4 sample pump. Both sampled respondents and dust samples were obtained based on four working areas at the quarry. The chemical composition of the quarry dust; and the concentration of silica and the heavy metals (chromium, cadmium and lead) were obtained using standard laboratory procedures. Questionnaire was administered to the workers to find out the occupational safety and health risks and the quarry management/workers compliance to environmental standards. The study revealed that drilling/blasting, crushing and road haulage were the main dust generating activities at the quarry. The quarry dust was composed of various chemical compounds and naturally occurring elements at various concentrations, including S1O2, Cr and Pb with concentrations of 0.62mg/m3, 5.92mg/m3and 9.24 mg/m3 respectively, all exceeding Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA 2005) set limits. The mean dust concentration was 51.56mg/m3 and this also exceeds the time weighted average limit of I0mg/m3 for total dust, and 5mg/m3 for respirable dust (OSHA 2005). It was also revealed by the study that most of the workers exhibited one form of dust related ailments with difficulty in breathing being 60.28% of the workers. There was also general poor use of protective gears/clothing among the workers. Only 4.17% used helmet and/or boots while working and 6.94% dust coat. The study concluded that the dust concentrations failed to meet the Occupational Safely and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and therefore exposed the workers to the risk of respiratory, skin and eye health problems. Measures should be put in place to mitigate the high dust generation at the quarries and the workers should be sensitized to use protective clothing while at work. Clinical research should be conducted on the quarry workers in order to ascertain any development of silicosis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    CHARCOAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERN IN URBAN HOUSEHOLDS OF FCT ABUJA, NIGERIA
    (Department of Environmental Management, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-01-06) Emeodilichi, Mba H.; Alkali, Mohammed; Alfred, Udofia Udeme; Inyaka, Godwin Igie
    This paper considers those factors contributing to charcoal consumption in the urban households in capital city of Nigeria using in-house questionnaire data collection from ninety households. Thirty households each from three study areas namely; Maintam a, Garki and Kubwa, mapped out in three categories based on building designs; duplex houses, Terrence/flat apartment and bungalows, and demographic information like (marital statues, income, education and employment). The results shows that duplex and bungalows house designs consumes more of charcoal 39% and 51% respectively than 10% of terrence/flat apartment, same with married and high and low income earners which shows that charcoal consumption rates were higher for the households with more family members, high/low income and cooking frequency. This study shows the relevancy of charcoal in the urban area, also that income is an important variable and this study also suggest need for other variables like food choice, cost of living, household size and preference, same time recommend policies and means to address this charcoal consumption that poses great threats to our forest reserves which serves as carbon storage, water, air purification and also reduces the intensity of flooding events.