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.

Keywords: Cement dust, pollution, respiratory systems, illnesses, packing section