Air pollution in stone crushing industry, and associated health effects.

Stone crushers are small scale industries in the unorganised sector. They provide basic material for road and building construction. They are highly labour intensive. The various unit operations involved in stone crushing viz., size reduction, size classification and transfer operations have the potential to emit process and fugitive dust. A detailed air pollution survey was conducted at Pammal, 26 km to the southwest of Chennai. High volume and respirable particulate samplers were deployed at seventeen locations to monitor SPM and PM10 levels in ambient air. The particle size analysis indicates high percentage of finer particles and silica content posing serious health problems to the people exposed for longer duration. Personal samplers were employed to quantify the total dust and respirable particulate fraction in the work environment, which was found significantly high, when compared to the occupational safety and health standards. Fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) which has more associated human health problems was found high in the work place of stone crushers. Health survey viz., Pulmonary function test, blood sample test, general clinical evaluation was conducted to assess the extent of the damage caused to the workers. This study indicates that most of the people are having respiratory problems. The measurements show that good house keeping practice is essential for effective control of dust, in addition to National Productive Council's (NPC) measures.