An Assessment of Air and Water Pollution Accrued from Stone Quarrying in Mukono District, Central Uganda

The unquenchable demand for rock materials has attracted many companies within the building and construction sector to invest in stone quarrying. However, this has brought about the environmental impacts with health threats to people. There is a paucity of information about the magnitude of pollution on air and water and how it varies with quarry sites. This study therefore investigated the physical impacts of quarrying on air and water and explored the in-situ mitigations to undesirable effects due to stone quarrying. Four active quarry sites were identified. Field measurements of dust (particulate matter) was conducted within the four quarry sites and in the nearby community. Water samples were collected from quarry pits and nearby shallow wells for laboratory analysis of water quality. Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in pollution across the four studied sites. Results revealed that, amidst use of wet crushing and water sprinkling on bare surfaces, dust emission was higher than the recommended permissible standards levels with a significant variation across the quarry sites with ANOVA (P-value=0.003) for PM2.5 and (P-value=0.04366) for PM10. Water pollution was mainly contributed by the non-permissive levels of nitrates, chromium, and pH. Polluted air and water are associated with sparking off health threats to the users in the community. In conclusion, quarry companies should strengthen the already existing mitigation of dust suppression. The study recommends additional measures such as treating quarry pit water before discharging to the open environment

A New Approach of Dedusting for IGCC by a Two-Stage Moving Granular Bed Filter

We propose a dust removal technology in which a two-stage moving granular bed filter was employed using coarse and fine filtering granules. The pressure drop, collection efficiency, and dust particulate size distributions were investigated using various mass flow rates for coarse and fine granules at room temperature. In addition, the ratio of mass consumption was used to reveal the actual mass flow. The ratio of mass consumption influenced the pressure drop, collection efficiency, and dust particulate size distributions. Particulates larger than 1.775 μm were removed by the filter. Our results showed that a mass flow of 330 g/min for coarse granules and a mass flow of 1100 g/min for fine granules provided optimal collection efficiency and particulate size distribution. The proposed design can aid the development of high-temperature systems in power plants.

ANALISIS PENGUKURAN PARTIKULAT KUALITAS UDARA OUTDOOR DI KAMPUS PSDKU UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA DI BANYUWANGI

Air pollution can be interpreted as the presence of foreign substance or level substance contained in the air, so that it can cause changes in the composition of the air from normal conditions. The presence of pollutants sourced from moving and immovable sources can be in the form of dust particles that can affect the level of air quality in the environment and interfere with human health, so that air quality is measured. The measurement of air quality particulates carried out aims to determine the quality of outdoor air at PSDKU Airlangga University in Banyuwangi. This type of research is descriptive observational research. The method used in sampling is purposive sampling. This research was conducted in 5 locations, namely Sobo basketball court, student parking lot, outdoor student discussion area I, Sobo campus outdoor canteen, and outdoor student discussion area II. The result of measurements of dust particulate levels showed that all places were in the good category, but the student parking lot had the highest average which is equal to 1,572 µ/m3, compared to the other 4 places. Efforts that can be made to overcome the high levels of dust particulates in PSDKU Airlangga University in Banyuwangi include reducing the use of motorized vehicles, as well as always covering the helmet and wearing masks when driving, as well as care free day policies in the campus area.

Mechanical Behaviour of Coir and Wood Dust Particulate Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Composites

Nowadays polymer composites are emerged material which is used for extensive variety of applications because of their exclusive and beautiful characters. They have high durability, high strength-to-weight ratio and abrasion resistance. In this study the mechanical characteristics of coir and wood dust particle reinforced polyester composites using hand layup process were analyzed. The prepared composites were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope and also the mechanical behaviors such as tensile strength and flexural strength were estimated using computerized testing machine

Association between dust particulate and occupational rhinitis among basement parking lot workers in Jakarta

Background: Jakarta municipal government estimates that at least 70% of Jakarta air pollution comes from traffic and vehicles. The prevalence of occupational rhinitis increases in such polluted environment. History of atopic disease and smoking habit might aggravate this condition. Purpose: To determine the association between dust particulate matter exposure and occupational rhinitis among basement parking lot workers in Jakarta. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 57 workers from December 2014 until March 2015. Questionnaires on nasal symptoms and eosinophil counts by nasal mucosal scrapings were collected before and after working-hours to evaluate occupational rhinitis. Level of dust particulate matter was measured using high volume air sampler, and calculated by gravimetric method. Results: Three workers were diagnosed with occupational rhinitis (5.2%). Level of dust particulate matter was below permitted level in studied basement parking lots. There was no significant association between occupational rhinitis and working period (OR 0.5 [95% CI 0.43 to 5.85], p=1.000) and workplace (OR 435 [95%CI =0.37-51.37], p=0.255). Increased eosinophil level was associated with the history of atopic disease (OR 23.33 [95%CI=2.40-224.62], p=0.001but not associated with smoking habit (OR 0.13 [95%CI=0.22-7.71], p=0.575). Conclusion: There was no significant association between dust particulate matter exposure and occupational rhinitis among basement parking lot workers. Despite the low level of dust particulate matter exposure, occupational rhinitis did occur. Latar Belakang: Pemerintah DKI Jakarta memperkirakan sekitar 70% polusi udara di Jakarta berasal dari lalu lintas dan kendaraan bermotor. Prevalensi Rinitis Akibat Kerja (RAK) cenderung meningkat pada lingkungan berpolusi. Riwayat atopi dan kebiasaan merokok dapat memperberat penyakit tersebut. Tujuan: mengetahui hubungan pajanan partikulat debu terhadap RAK pada pekerja area parkir basement di Jakarta. Metode: Studi potong lintang dilakukan terhadap 57 pekerja dari Desember 2014 sampai Maret 2015. Pengisian kuesioner gejala hidung dan hitung jumlah eosinofil kerokan mukosa hidung dilakukan sebelum dan sesudah jam kerja untuk evaluasi RAK. Kadar partikulat debu diukur dengan High Volume Air Sampler lalu dikalkulasi dengan metode gravimetrik. Hasil: Didapatkan 3 orang pekerja dengan diagnosis RAK (5,2%). Kadar pajanan partikulat debu di lokasi studi dibawah nilai ambang batas yang diizinkan. Tidak terdapat hubungan bermakna antara RAK dengan lama bekerja (OR 0,5 [95% CI 0,43- 5,85], p=1,000) dan tempat kerja (OR 435 [95%CI=0,37-51,37], p=0,255). Terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara peningkatan kadar eosinofil dan riwayat atopi (OR 23,33 [95%CI=2,40-224,62], p=0,001), tetapi hubungan tidak bermakna ditemukan antara peningkatan kadar eosinophil dan kebiasaan merokok (OR 0,13 [95% CI=0,22-7,71], p=0.575). Kesimpulan: Tidak terdapat hubungan bermakna antara pajanan partikulat debu dan RAK pada pekerja area parkir basement. Pada kadar partikulat debu rendah, ternyata ditemukan pekerja dengan RAK.