Environmental Effects of Quarrying Activities in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the particulate matters, noise generated and the impacts of the activities on the quarry workers. Three quarries and a control site were selected for this study. A particulate matter counter (CLJ-D particulate counter) was used to count suspended particles and a hand-held device (SL-4012 sound meter) was used to determine the noise levels at different distances away from the crushing point (0 m, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m and 200 m). A well-structured closed questionnaire was used to collect information about demographic, health implications and status of respondents working at the quarry site. Samchaise quarry has the highest total suspended particulate matter (691.82 µg/m3 and 662.19 µg/m3) for 0 m and 50 m sampling point respectively. For 100 m, 150 m and 200 m, Dortmond quarry has the highest total suspended particulate matter of 609.82 µg/m3, 501.57 µg/m3 and 450.34 µg/m3 respectively. Dortmond quarry has the highest noise level (94.90 dB and 88.70 dB respectively) at 0 m and 50 m; Meanwhile, Ebenezer quarry has the highest noise level of 82.50 dB, 79.30 dB and 74.30 dB for 100 m, 150 m and 200 m respectively. Furthermore, out of the seventy (70) respondents interviewed, 22 (31.43%) of the workers had been working for over 5 years. Although, majority of the respondents 66 (94.29%) know the health implication of working in a quarry, only few respondents 6 (8.57%) used the protective gear always. In addition, 21 (39.62%) experienced catarrh monthly, headache 19 (35.85%) weekly, eyes ache 12 (22.64%), ear ringing 7 (13.21) at least daily, body ache 19 (35.85%) daily, skin itch 25 (47.17%) daily, and visual disturbance 10 (18.87%) daily. This study has shown that the quarry workers need to be trained and educated about the impacts of their activities in the environment.