ASSESSMENT OF DUST POLLUTION AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISKS AMONG LIMESTONE QUARRY WORKERS IN AKAMKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

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.