A Study of Method for Solving Air Pollution from Particulate Matter and Impacts of Health: Case Study in Tapioca Starch Business and Cement Grinding and Mix Business

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to 1) assess the air pollution from particulate matter TSP and PM₁₀, 2) assess the health risks associated with particulate matter exposure due to business activity, and 3) provide practical suggestions for particulate matter management in businesses with operations hazardous to health. This cross-sectional study consisted of surveys and monitoring of ambient particulate matter including inside operation area and outside the business. The businesses included in this study were tapioca starch business and cement grinding and mix business. Data were collected from 20 businesses in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chonburi and Rayong provinces.

The results showed that the levels of ambient of TSP and PM₁₀ measured were lower than the national ambient air quality standards. Statistical analysis using both t-test and ANOVA revealed that the mean PM levels at the fence were significantly difference (p=0.05) from the ambient levels at upwind and download communities. Measurement results in a workplace revealed that the levels of both inhalable particles and respirable particles trended to be much higher than levels found outside the businesses' activity areas, but still lower than the acceptable levels suggested by OSHA. The health condition survey study of 170 workers and 619 people living around the businesses showed that most did not show any symptoms related to PM exposures; some may have shown mild effects, but none reported severe illnesses. The health risk assessment of workers and people living in the communities that the Hazard Quotient (HQ) value was lower than 1, which was an acceptable level. Practical strategies for particulate matter control management are: 1) control measures at the source, 2) surveillance and monitoring, 3) controlling business operations and managing nuisance, and 4) continuously production improvement.