Effect of Cement Industry on Ambient Air Quality and Potential Health Risk: A Case Study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the cement industry's impact on ambient air quality inside and around a Saudi Arabian cement plant. Air quality has assessed in terms of several indicators: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, PM10, PM2.5, ozone, and volatile organic compounds. AERMOD model was used to predict the concentrations of pollutants in the surrounding area. Results obtained revealed that the concentration of all impurities is within the standard limits for ambient air quality. In comparison with OSHA guidelines, only PM10 concentration exceeded the allowable limit. The higher concentrations of pollutants are recorded at the site closest to the plant site (S1, a housing compound located 0.8km ESE from the plant). Concentrations at the other monitoring sites decreased significantly. Except for PM10, the calculated hazard quotient (HQ) of all pollutants was <1which indicated no health effects are expected. The HQ of emissions can be ranked as: PM10> PM2.5>CO2>O3>CO>VOCs>NOx>SO2>H2S. The hazardous index (HI) was: 3.59, 2.76, 2.18, and 2.67 for S1, S2 (located 17km NNE), S3 (located 10.6km SE), and S4 (located 6.4km SSW), respectively. The affected organs can be ranked based on health risk calculation as respiratory system>cardiovascular system>Eye irritation>Allergy infection>Nervous system>Development>Hematology >Alimentary endocrine. The cancer risk factor was shallow and ranged from 4.04x10-6 for S4 to 1.88x10-5 for S1, which indicated a very low-risk potential. In terms of emissions concentrations, AERMOD predicted higher concentrations than the actual monitoring data for all measured parameters.