IMPACTS OF CEMENT FACTORY OPERATIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH (A CASE STUDY OF OKPELLA).

Industrialization has significantly improved the economy of Nigeria, but the threat posed by the development of these industries to the environment and to the inhabitant cannot be left out. Cement factory are known for emitting suspended particulate matter and toxic gases to the environment. This study accessed the impact of the cement factory operation on the environment and human health in okpella community, Edo state, different objective where raised “To identify the health hazard related to cement production in Okpella, to examine the effect of the identified health hazards on humans and workers within the cement factory, to proffer remedial measure that can be put in place to mitigate the effects of the hazards associated to cement production in Okpella”. Questionnaire were developed and administered to the villagers and workers of the cement factory and the data were collected and analyzed Frequency and Percentage method, and Mean score method to validate the research problem exist. It was observed that the means score in the table as analysed by the mean score method is greater than the criterion mean of 2.5 this implies that the research problem exist. It was also observed that identified effect of hazard such as; musculo-skeletal disorders cause by vibration, partial deafness caused by excessive noise, skin disorder, and respiratory problem due to exposure to dust is common among workers in the cement factory hence engineering control is recommended so as to mitigate health hazard within the factory and adjoin community. Based on the strength of the above findings and conclusions, the study offers the following recommendations for mitigating the attendant health hazards among cement industry workers: There is need for management of cement industries to develop a frame-work that will initiate the integration and implementation of safety regulations in cement factories so as to reduce associated health risk; Health promotion program should be integrated by management to help improve works knowledge, attitude and practices regarding to safety measures within the cement factory; Periodic medical examination policy should be adopted by management of cement industries to help reduce cases of health problems among workers of cement industries in Nigeria; Workers in the cement factory should be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) an Implementing engineering control to minimize exposure to dust.