ASSESMENT OF AMBIENT AIR QUALITY OF A CEMENT INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF OBAJANA CEMENT FACTORY

Abstract

Cement manufacturing process is a key factor in the generation of inhalable and respirable particulate matters, which are hazardous to human health. This study aimed to monitor the ambient air quality in and around the Obajana cement factory, a major stakeholder in the Nigeria cement industry. The particulate matter of inhalable and respirable sizes, PM 3.0 and PM 10 , were assessed using the SKC deployable air sampler while the elemental analysis of the particulate matter was analyzed by the x-ray fluorescence spectrometric method. Particulate matter of < 3.0 μm (PM 3.0 ) was found to range between 153 to 876 μg/m 3 in the various sites sampled within the factory. It was in the range of 38 t0 70 μg/m 3 at the Obajana community. The range of values observed for PM 10.0 were 42.31to 364.82 and 48.52 to 55.72 for sample sites within the factory and at the Obajana community respectively. These value are higher than the 24 hour mean regulatory guidelines for PM 2.5 and PM 10.0 set by the World Health Organization at 25 and 50 μg/m 3 respectively in ambient air. The elemental analysis revealed that the cement dust had S, K, Mg, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mn and Ti. The ambient air quality within Obajana cement factory should be improved so that the regulatory guidelines are met. This shall safeguard the health of the factory workers and people living in Obajana town.