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Health and Environmental Effects of Cement Plant Emissions Sulfur dioxide (SO2) in high concentrations can affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Sensitive populations include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, children, and the elderly.
Is it dangerous to live near a cement factory?
Almost all the studies found positive associations between cement plant exposure and respiratory diseases and symptoms. An excess risk of cancer incidence and mortality in both children and adults mainly concerning respiratory tract cancers was also reported in some studies.
Why the cement industry is dangerous?
Cement industry is involved in the development of structure of this advanced and modern world but generates dust during its production. Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon.
How is cement harmful to the environment?
Cement’s contribution to emissions is especially immense because of the chemical process required to make it. About two-thirds of the polluting gases that come from cement production stem from burning limestone. A ton of cement yields at least half a ton of CO2, according to the European Cement Association.
Why are factories bad for the environment?
Industrial factories are major contributors to air pollution. The amount of toxic gases that factories release into the air increases health and environmental damages. In factories, toxic materials and gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, are burned and pumped out into the atmosphere.
What is a safe distance to live from a cement plant?
It also supports the findings of a medical doctor, Crawford, who stated that an area within five miles of a cement plant will be the high danger zone and within twenty miles of a cement plant will be the danger zone (CRRC, 2003).
Do concrete plants pollute?
Concrete batch plants impose a trifecta of impact on public health and well-being in that they emit air, light, and noise pollution. Particulate matter air pollution is created from the concrete production process as well as the diesel emissions of hundreds of trucks and concrete mixers that feed plant operations.
What is cement poisoning?
Swallowing cement can cause burns of the lips, mouth, throat, and stomach. Initial signs can include drooling, difficulty swallowing, or vomiting. In some cases, cement can harden in the gastrointestinal tract and cause obstruction. Inhaling cement dust can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Is cured concrete toxic?
Most concrete is made by mixing Portland Cement with sand, aggregate stone. The mixture hardens when mixed with water through a process called “curing.” These types of blocks are generally considered safe and toxin free.
What are disadvantages of cement?
Concrete has following disadvantages: Its tensile strength is very low of the order of 10% of the compressive strength. Thus it develops cracks. To avoid the development of cracks, steel is used as reinforcement.
What can you use instead of cement?
Concrete: Cement Substitutes Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA), aka ‘Fly ash’ as a cement substitute. PFA is a by-product of coal-burning power stations. Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) as a cement substitute. GGBS is a by-product of the iron and steel industry. Silica fume. Limestone fines. Alternative fuels.
How much CO2 does concrete release?
The manufacture of cement produces about 0.9 pounds of CO2 for every pound of cement. Since cement is only a fraction of the constituents in concrete, manufacturing a cubic yard of concrete (about 3900 lbs) is responsible for emitting about 400 lbs of CO2.
Is cement found naturally?
But cement isn’t some sort of naturally occurring organic material – it’s manufactured through the chemical combination of 8 main ingredients during the cement production process. These ingredients are generally extracted from limestone, clay, marl, shale, chalk, sand, bauxite, and iron ore.
What are the negative effects of factories?
Factories negatively impact the environment through air pollutant emissions, toxic waste disposal and water contamination. Besides, they’re also the major offenders when it comes to greenhouse gas contributions. Factories alone are responsible for nearly two-thirds of the emissions to blame for global climate change.
How do factories affect human health?
The toxic gases that factories release into the air, combined with those added by automobiles on the road, mean that we have an increased risk of developing chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease and many other illnesses, diseases and conditions.
What factories cause the most pollution?
The Top 10 Polluting Industries In The World Rank Industry DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) 1 Used Lead-Acid Batteries (ULAB) 2,000,000 – 4,800,000 2 Mining and Ore Processing 450,000 – 2,600,000 3 Lead Smelting 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 4 Tanneries 1,200,000 – 2,000,000.
How many concrete batch plants are in Texas?
Since 2014, Texas has led the nation in ready-mix concrete batch plants, with approximately 1700 facilities.
What is concrete mix?
In terms of the ratio for concrete, it depends on what strength you are trying to achieve, but as a general guide a standard concrete mix would be 1 part cement to 2 parts sand to 4 parts aggregates. For foundations, a mix of 1 part cement to 3 parts sand to 6 parts aggregates can be used.
Is cement a sustainable material?
From raw material production to demolition, concrete makes a natural choice for sustainable home construction. They are highly energy efficient because they take advantages of concrete thermal mass ability to absorb and retain heat.
Is cement a geopolymer?
Categories of geopolymer cement include: Slag-based geopolymer cement. type 1: alkali-activated fly ash geopolymer. type 2: slag/fly ash-based geopolymer cement.
How does cement cause pollution?
About two-thirds of the polluting gases that come from cement production stem from burning limestone. Inside the kiln, carbon trapped in the limestone combines with oxygen and is released as CO2, the most abundant greenhouse gas.
What does cement do to your body?
The cement causes many issues: it is highly toxic, prompting eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation, and contains calcium oxide, corrosive to human tissue, and chromium, which can prompt severe allergic reactions.
How do you treat cement poisoning?
OSHA: Consider using a mildly acidic solution such as diluted vinegar or a buffering solution to neutralize caustic residues of cement on the skin. National Precast Association: To help neutralize the alkalinity, add vinegar, citrus, or a buffer to the water. Take the person to be evaluated by a medical professional.
Can cement damage your skin?
If hardened concrete is left untreated on the skin, skin begins to blister, swell, and bleed, leading to first-, second-, and even third-degree burns following soon after. Severe cases of concrete skin irritation can lead to permanent scarring and even require skin grafts or amputations.
