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Review

Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria

by
Mmemek-Abasi Etim
1,*,
Kunle Babaremu
2,
Justin Lazarus
1 and
David Omole
1
1
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Covenant University, Ota 112233, Nigeria
2
Directorate of Pan African University for Life and Earth Science Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Atmosphere 2021, 12(9), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111
Submission received: 19 July 2021 / Revised: 9 August 2021 / Accepted: 11 August 2021 / Published: 30 August 2021
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality and Health)
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Abstract

:
The cement manufacturing industry has played a fundamental role in global economic development, but its production is a major facilitator to anthropogenic CO2 release and solid waste generation. Nigeria has the largest cement industry in West Africa, with an aggregate capacity of 58.9 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year. The Ministry for Mines and Steel Development asserts that the nation possesses total limestone deposits of around 2.3 trillion MT with 568 MMT standing as established reserves and 11 MMT used. Cement industries are largely responsible for releasing air pollutants and effluents into water bodies with apparent water quality deterioration over the years. Air pollution from lime and cement-producing plants is seen as a severe instigator of occupational health hazards and work-related life threats, negatively affecting crop yields, buildings, and persons residing in the vicinity of these industries. World Bank observed in 2015 that 94% of the Nigerian populace is susceptible to air pollutants that surpass WHO guidelines. In 2017, World Bank further reported that 49,100 premature deaths emanated from atmospheric PM2.5, with children beneath age 5 having the greatest vulnerability owing to lower respiratory infections, thereby representing approximately 60% of overall PM2.5-induced deaths. Cement manufacturing involves the significant production of SO2, NOx, and CO connected to adverse health effects on humans. Sensitive populations such as infants, the aged, and persons having underlying respiratory ailments like asthmatics, emphysema, or bronchitis are seen to be most affected. Consequently, in addressing this challenge, growing interests in enacting carbon capture, usage, and storage in the cement industry is expected to alleviate the negative environmental impact of cement production. Still, no carbon capture technology is yet to achieve commercialization in the cement industry. Nonetheless, huge advancement has been made in recent years with the advent of vital research in sorption-enhanced water gas shift, underground gasification combined cycle, ammonium hydroxide solution, and the microbial-induced synthesis of calcite for CO2 capture and storage, all considered sustainable and feasible in cement production.

1. Introduction

Cement is the most common and extensively used adhesive in the construction industry. It is employed on highways, houses, embankments, bridges, commercial establishments, and flyovers. Hence, the cement manufacturing industry has played a fundamental role in global economic development, with construction, steel, crude oil, iron, and telecommunications, constituting major infrastructural aspects worldwide. Swift commercialization, urban civilization, and the necessity to boost domestic goods production have been the lead cause for the surge in cement production [1]. In Nigeria, the availability of raw materials has encouraged numerous local productions. As of 2013, annual cement production increased significantly above 1300%, from below 2 million tonnes in 1990 to above 28 million tonnes in 2013 [2]. Cement is a powder-like material comprising lime and mud-clay as fundamental elements, utilized in all kinds of building and civil constructions. The used clay provides silica, iron oxide, and alumina, while the calcined lime principally gives calcium-oxide. As highlighted in Table 1, raw materials used for cement production are obtained by blasting rock quarries with explosives [3,4]. The blasted rocks are transported to the plants, where they are crushed into chunks of ½ inch-sized particles. Through the process of prehomogenization, cement is produced depending on the needed proportion of ground clay and limestones. For a pressurized rotatory furnace of around 1400 °C, these unprocessed resources (Table 1) are calcined to become a clinker [3,5]. The clinker is then pulverized with some minerals to a powder to produce Portland cement [4].
Global cement generation was 4.1Bnt in 2020 with a growth rate of 24% from its highest in 2010 [6], with China clearly leading as the world’s largest cement producer, representing 59.31% of overall manufactured cement globally. Table 2 shows the global cement production, with China producing more than ½ of the world’s cement combined. These recent expansions have been driven by developing countries such as India and China, with a substantial increase in cement manufacturing around Asia, Africa, and South America. As the earth’s population and industrialization boom, universal cement production is bound to surge by at least 12–23% by 2050 [7]. Nigeria possesses the largest cement industry within West Africa, with at least 12 registered companies amounting to a merged cement capacity of 58.9 Mt/yr. Dangote Cement is the largest cement producer in Nigeria and West Africa, manufacturing a combined share of more than 28.5 Mt/yr of cement capacity. Also, LafargeHolcim (through its subsidiary AshakaCem & Lafarge WAPCO) and BUA Group boost 18.9 Mt/yr and 11.5 Mt/yr of integrated cement capacity, respectively [8]. With the increasing presence of cement manufacturing, the industry poses as one of the most significant CO2 emitters. Evaluating the risk factors of its spillover impact on public health is inevitable.
In Nigeria, limestone and marble are the main minerals of cement production. The conversion of this limestone into cement by heat releases carbon dioxide as a waste product. Ndefo [9] highlighted the deposits of these minerals and their carbon contents in various percentages, as shown in Figure 1. They are mainly composed of the carbonates of calcium and magnesium. Large deposits of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) are observed in Calabar, Yandev, and Ukpilla, with Ewekoro having the largest deposit of Magnesium carbonate MgCO. The Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development reports a total limestone collection of approximately 2.3 TMT, of which 568 MMT stands as proven reserve and 11 MMT is used. Such deposits are endowed unadulterated, mainly across Ebonyi, Cross-River, and Benue cities with large industrial volumes among Gombe, Edo, Sokoto, and Ogun. Nonetheless, the largest enriched West African nation is Nigeria.
In 2018, data from World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that 9 in 10 persons breathe air containing excessive concentrations of toxins beyond the approved threshold stated by WHO. Africa and Asia amass the worst hit with 90% deaths from environmental air contaminants [11]. During cement production, soot molecules and dusty residues emerge extensively, thereby triggering respiratory ailments across humans. Diverse pulmonic-connected diseases are prevalent mostly to indigenous persons living around cement industries. One cement factory releases massive atmospheric pollution. Given the voluminous process of producing cement, any certain potential environmental impact would be significant. As such, key players must prioritize atmospheric safety and decontamination since this undeniably plays an important role in achieving sustainable development (SDGs) goals 3, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13.
Higher cement production and usage, switching fuel types, and dirt restriction mechanization influence the quantity and cluster of environmental impurities. Numerous investigations admit that manufacturing cement constitutes the broadest source for PM emission, accounting for 20–30%, which is 40% of the gross industrial emission [12]. Furthermore, making cement represents 5–6% of total artificial CO2 discharge, which according to the European Cement Association (ECA), yields at least half a ton of CO2 for a ton of cement produced. The most common pollutants responsible for air pollution are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons [13]. Decarbonation propels off about 50% of the emission, while fuel for kiln firing induces approximately 40% of pollutants. With projected manufacturing spike, cement makers are under pressure to lower or sustain CO2 outflows. Carbon-neutral biomass amidst other substitute fuels is seeing heightened usage in reducing certain cement-based CO2 discharge. Cement manufacturing entails severe health constraints; nearly every production phase adversely affects man and its environment. When dismantling rocks, particulate matter is dispersed into the atmosphere, making it harmful to man. Moreover, this disintegration process causes noise pollution. The urban geography might likewise impact the gadgets adopted during this procedure [12,13]. Diverse equipment is recently employed to mitigate these adverse shortcomings. The equipment helps to limit dusty release, particularly across cement industries. Gas trappers similarly capture extreme toxins, including sulphur, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide, among others [11,13]. An essential constituent of gas for cement production is carbon dioxide (CO2). Heating calcium carbonate as the main ingredient produces lime, whereas carbon dioxide is given off as a chemical procedure. Cement production contributes 40% of global CO2 discharge; 60% of this CO2 volume comes from Portland cement [14,15], transforming limestone to lime. Sometimes, weighty metallic minerals spanning across mercury, chromium, thallium, and zinc have proximity to cement factories.

2. The Growing Nigerian Cement Industry

In recent years, the Nigerian cement industry has grown from import-dependency to an export-thriving epicentre within Africa. Cement is still a critical part of developing infrastructures globally as Nigerian cement producers continuously ramp up activities and expand into futuristic times. Given growing demands on infrastructural development, the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) has projected a cumulative investment of approximately $3 trillion for a duration of 3 decades to construct and sustain infrastructures. The Ministry for Mines and Steel Development [16] estimates Nigeria’s highway system to be at 193,200 km, whereby 28,980 km is paved and about 85% is unpaved. This fact highlights the tremendous pressure on cement manufacturers in meeting the country’s demand for infrastructural development. Environmental health risks are of significant concern with the absence of a greener and more sustainable cement production in Nigeria. Juxtaposing the high degree of deficiency across the residential and structural facilities, particularly regarding the dire need for building properties and roadways, the capacity for expansion in this sector is evidently captivating. Additionally, the currently established amplitude has broadened to exceed projected demand as governmental strategies, including tax-relief schemes, banning imported cement, and similar enacted plans, have facilitated the rapid enlargement of capabilities for proprietary stakeholders [17]. In the medium term, Nigeria’s concrete industry indicates a likelihood for considerably sustained growth into the next generation, supported by unimpaired cement demand essentials as revealed by multiple measurable benchmarks. Projections place Nigerian cement consumption per capita at about 150 kg falling behind the worldwide average of 561 kg. Over the long term, several factors encompassing enhanced accessibility to construction funds, increased civilization, larger populace, heightened infrastructural and housing investment, political consistency, and economic affluence determine the possibilities for boosting cement demand in Africa’s biggest country.
Besides other trivial functions of concrete for building, fascinations exist of using cement in constructing roads due to its resilience and easy preservation. More so, with the current population surge within Nigeria, it is believed that the government and increasing private sector will invest more in furnishing houses for bustling youths and working-class people, particularly inside and at the borders of urban cities. Consequently, to foster this movement, the federal government recently founded the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PFID) in 2018, overseen by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), whose goal is to narrow down the investment to electricity and road schemes nationwide. Hence, cement demand growth in Nigeria is expected to increase local cement production over the following years. Nigeria’s cement sector exhibits oligopolistic tendencies with three major competitors as presented in Figure 2. Dangote Cement Plc, the indisputable biggest producer in Sub-Sahara and Nigeria with an installed capacity of 48.6 Mta and 32.3 Mta respectively, just recently added 3 million tonnes to its capacity in 2020 in the Obajana Cement Plant. Lafarge Africa Plc has a capacity of 10.5 million metric tonnes, accounting for a market share of 21.8%. BUA Group (recently sealed a merger of CCNN and Obu) has an 8.0 million metric tonnes capacity, accounting for a market share of 17.6%. Regardless of the current capabilities, the key manufacturing industrial giants are relentless in diversification strategies. According to their media sources, Dangote Cement has hinted at developing two extra 6MTPA factories in Edo city’s Okpella and Ogun state’s Itori. Additionally, BUA Group (CCNN) intends to extend its Sokoto’s Kalambaina Plant by supplementary 3MMTA. These plants are generally sited close to the raw material to cut the cost of transporting them. With limestone in its abundance, cement production in Nigeria is at its infant stage. Dangote cement further observes that Obajana’s accumulated limestone of 647 MT should stretch for approximately 45 years, Ibese’s 1150 MT should cover 78 years, and Gboko’s 133 MT should surpass three decades.
Over time, Nigerian cement manufacturers have used domestic cinder and proxy combustibles such as LPFO (Low Pour Fuel Oil—a byproduct of petroleum oil) as an alternative to gas in powering their plants. Dangote Cement, for instance, has tactically reinforced its limekilns to function better with coals. This encompasses Ibese and Obajana industries, which were formerly structured to operate on gas, whereas Benue’s factory previously used LPFO. Dangote group also indicated tendencies to utilize its numerous damaged tyres as energy sources. Similarly, Lafarge Africa Plc has heightened its usage of substitute power, including coal and industrial waste.

3. Cement Production on Climate Change and Global Warming

As highlighted by USGS, global warming is one of many characteristics of climate change. Global warming is the rise in global temperatures largely due to escalating concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Similarly, climate change involves the gradual alteration of climatic actions for an extended period [18]. Increased urbanization and industrialization have led to higher cement production in Nigeria as cement plants have substantially ramped up their output, triggering greater CO2 emissions into the air. Ndefo [9] highlighted that using the ratio of one cement to carbon dioxide tonne, Nigeria would manufacture beyond 25 MMT of cement, thereby inducing 25 MMT of CO2 yearly. This has eventually drawn the country into global warming and weather crisis. Developing nations like Nigeria lack sufficient preparation for global warming consequences, which is already evident and glaring for its citizens. Notwithstanding that Africa’s largest country has fortunately not encountered severe atmospheric-spurred disaster, occurrences are constantly seen in tremendous heat waves around major industrial cities; increased greenhouse gases and particulate matter; PMs from cement dust pollution; and high precipitations leading to flooding and gully erosion [14] in Lagos, Jigawa, Edo, and Anambra States. The atmospheric CO2 before industrialization was about 200 ppm, but it is presently estimated to surpass 800 ppm as the 21st century reaches its end, causing great concerns. The cement sector is a principal contributor to weather disruptions because its manufacturing operations emit enormous CO2, which is primarily unrecoverable and reusable [19,20]. Wilson & Law (2007) [21] further describe cement production as a greenhouse double whammy, by which the conversion of limestone to cement produces carbon dioxide; the fossil fuel used in heating it also produces carbon dioxide. In 2019, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency reported the increase in earthly CO2 discharge by a projected 350 MtCO2 or 0.9% to reach 38 GtCO2, such that China incurs the highest contribution with an increased 3.4% (or 380 MtCO2) and Nigeria’s emission at approximately 100 MtCO2 [22]. Table 3 highlights the atmospheric emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria. Cement manufacturing is estimated to supply 5–10% of worldwide anthropogenic CO2 outflow [23]. However, about 40% of CO2 emissions from dry cement manufacturing come from the combustion of fossil fuels [24] in the kiln process, while 50% comes from the roasting of limestone. The roasting (calcination) process liberates CO2 from limestone to give quick-lime: an essential resource in making cement clinkers. The process is energy-intensive and with extreme temperatures of about 1450 °C [25].
Globally, increasing industrialization has led to a rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to about 0.03% (570 ppm) [26]. To maintain the CO2 concentration below 550 ppm by 2050, Cement Technology Roadmap has recommended cutting CO2 emissions to 30–60%, thereby mitigating global warming [27]. Cement plants are a major source of CO2 emissions due to the high CO2 concentration in cement kiln flue gas [26]. However, with the advent of carbon capture and storage (CCS), cement manufacturers have discovered a system of reducing the role of fossil fuel emissions in global warming by capturing and storing CO2 directly from the atmosphere [28]. Together with the underground gasification combined cycle (UGCC), CCS is a viable method for exploiting clean limestone and coal [29]. Techniques of pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion are widely used for carbon dioxide capturing in the cement industry [30].
The manufacturing sector and agricultural sector have contributed significantly to the Nigerian Gross National Product. The active role of these sectors makes it evident that even a minor climate deterioration can cause harmful socioeconomic consequences. In the cement industry, policies to reduce the combustion of fossil fuels like carbon and to adopt renewable energy sources have only been successful at the paper stage as there is poor or no acceptance of these methods. Nigeria is the biggest cement manufacturer across West Africa, with increasing production demands. Its cement production utilizes a large volume of unprocessed input and combustibles (biodiesel, crude oil, gasoline, coal, among other factory wastage) and thermal and electrical power for its production [31,32,33], playing a major role in environmental variations and global warming as a result of its raw material use and processing [34]. Although cement production causes noise pollution, which is detrimental to man’s health, the main environmental issue associated with its production is the formation of heavy metals as seen in wastewater and solid waste such as carbon-dioxide (CO2) emission, VOCs, fly ash, dust, and particulate matters (PMs) [31]. Sadly, solutions for the climate change and global warming challenges do not yield intense renowned impact since they are far too complex for political discussions. The looming effects of climate variabilities now threaten stable food supply in some regions of the country. In the arid zones of northern Nigeria, droughts are getting worse, and the southern part is getting wetter with growing climate uncertainty. A major influence of weather changes and global warming is weather unpredictability. This is so conspicuous as some areas in Lagos and Ogun State were said to have experienced an uncommon rainfall with thunderstorms in the early days of 2021, drawing attention to the fact that these regions record the highest number of industries in Nigeria. The challenge of climate unpredictability makes subsistence farming difficult [14]. Research has shown that the leading cause of environmental disruptions is the continuously rising CO2 levels from emitting biomass, concrete production, and desertification, which are the major causes of CO2. As of 2020, the current trend of CO2 emission in Nigeria from cement production is still on the rise. As presented in Figure 3, carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions in Nigeria have been growing steadily from 1970 to date. The earth’s CO2 level will keep escalating owing to high demand for concrete (cement production), incessantly combusting fossil fuels, land-use adaptations, and particularly deforestation.

4. Impacts of Water Pollution from Cement Production on Public Health

Anthropogenic activities have depleted the quality of human’s most abundant resources. Water contamination through industrialization and urbanization in Nigeria is leading the cause of water-related conundrums [35,36]. Globally, uncontaminated drinkable water is inaccessible to billion(s) of persons [37], leading to 2.2 million deaths yearly in developing nations [38]. Nigeria is naturally endowed in abundance with diverse categories of drinking water such as groundwater, rainwater, and surface water, but it has a longstanding challenge in water quality problems [39]. Approximately 66.3 million Nigerians lack access to clean drinking water, which is largely attributed to the pollution from cement production [40], oil exploration [41], agricultural activities [42], and industrial or mining activities [43], etc. Water contamination through cement production in Nigeria has facilitated toxins accumulation in aquatic lives, causing a health risk to human consumers. In past years, the constant epidemic of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, and gastroenteritis in Nigeria has been linked to polluted water [36]. Cement industries are largely responsible for releasing effluents into water bodies [24,44,45]. In a study by [46], clear water quality deterioration was discovered in Oinyi river, Kogi State, owing to cement factories’ unhygienic water effects. Collected analyzed samples along the watercourse highlighted the following results: turbidity, temperature, biochemical and chemical oxygen demand, colour, pH, depth, conductivity, and total suspended solids as 14–22.7 NTU, 24 °C to 27 °C, 2.05–2.89 mg/L, 17.19 ± 0.15 mg/L, 3.87 ± 0.159 Pt.Co, 6.8 to 7.26, 0.23 to 0.35 m, 106.0 to 211.7 µS/cm, 45–54 mg/L, respectively, but at the exit point of the industrial effluents; turbidity, nitrite, nitrate, maximum conductivity, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids are 22.7 NTU, 0.09 mg/L, 0.006 mg/L, 211.7 µS/cm, 108.8 mg/L, and 54 mg/L respectively [46].

5. Impacts of Air Pollution from Cement Production on Public Health

Cement factories and limestone-induced atmospheric pollution are seen to evoke severe occupational health hazards and adverse effects on crops, buildings, and persons residing in the vicinity of these industries [47]. Producing concrete consumes enormous power, often through coal, which consequently emits carbon dioxide in alarming amounts depending on the manufacturing procedure and fuel employed as well as its associated effectiveness. The highly critical aftermath of producing cement is the dirt emitted during mining, processing, packaging, storing, and transporting. Egbe et al. (2019); Ibanga et al. (2008); and Maina et al. (2013) [48,49,50] highlighted that products and raw materials from cement production plants are significant sources of particulate matter such as (PM), NOx, CO2, SO2, VOCs, Ozone (O3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and highly radioactive elements like Radon. Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons obtained from incomplete conflagration [1] in the kiln cause perilous healthy impacts by lessening oxygen transmission to bodily parts and ligaments, in addition to negatively impacting brainwaves and cardiorespiratory conditions. Furthermore, CO aids fume generation (bottom-ground ozone), which triggers breathing difficulties [13,51]. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) released during fuel combustion causes multiple health-related challenges. It adversely affects the atmosphere through global warming, visual impairment, acid rain, lung disease such as asthma, and lung tissue damage [13,52]. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) from fuel sources and the type of raw materials used in cement production could complicate respiration and exacerbate prevailing lung and health-associated ailments. Moreover, the kiln type used in concrete production influences the volume of SO2 that enters the air [53]. Emitted SO2 is oxidised into SO3 in the atmosphere, forming sulfate aerosols or acid deposition on surface soil and water [54]. Radon (Rn), a radioactive gas derived from geologic materials, has been linked to an increased risk of developing lung cancer when inhaled in large quantities from concrete or cement [55]. Cement production at various stages is accompanied by the release of dust [56]. Particulate matter (PM) discharged from concrete industries lie between 0.025 to 5 μm in radius [48,57]. Particle sizes of particulate matter play a role in its effects [58]. PM2.5 is responsible for several people’s wellness shortcomings relative to other PM dimensions [59]. Sizes within 10 to 2.5 μm enter the higher region of respiratory organs, whereas lower PM sinks into the blood and lungs. World Bank noted in 2015 that 94% of Nigeria’s populace is vulnerable to environmental contamination levels that outpace the WHO threshold [60]. It was further reported in 2017 that the volume of immature deaths owing to Nigerian atmospheric PM2.5 stood at 49,100, and children below 5 have the greatest susceptibility, mainly because of lesser respiratory contagion, representing approximately 60% of overall PM2.5-induced deaths [61]. Globally, subjection to environmental dust PM2.5 has caused around 2.9 million premature deaths, 9% of aggregate deaths worldwide and 80,000 premature deaths in West Africa for 2017 [61]. This issue is worse within Nigeria, with the largest regional mass of PM2.5-associated deaths, especially in Lagos, the nation’s industrial hub. From Figure 4, the assessment of PM2.5 in Lagos at 68 µg/m3 exceeds the World Health Organization’s benchmark for the concentration of 10 µg/m3, placing Nigeria’s industrial capital closely among the most polluted cities. Figure 5 illustrates the state of cement production in Nigeria.
Abimbola et al. (2007) [63] evaluated past hospital documentations and the present well-being of locals and revealed the increasing contagion of sickness connected to huge alloy fatality, generated by cement dust from factories, posing a threat to future habitation. The research considered the quantities of selected heavy metals in Figure 6 as: soils [Ni (13.0–17 ppm), Cd (0.5–1.1 ppm), Zn (43–69 ppm), Cu (22–35 ppm), Pb (28–49 ppm)], shale [Cu (2.0–11 ppm), Pb (17–22 ppm), Cd (0.3–1.1 ppm), Ni (3.0–18 ppm), dusts [Cd (0.5–0.7 ppm), Zn (17–147 ppm)], Cu (2–16 ppm), Pb (32–52 ppm), Ni (2–17 ppm)], Zn (5–152 ppm), limestone [Cu (3.0–11 ppm), Ni (3.0–8.0 ppm), Cd (n.d.-1.7 ppm), Zn (7.0–53 ppm), and Pb (42–48 ppm)].
The study further proposed that the voluminous metallic concentration in the soil and soot emanated from unprocessed inputs adopted by cement makers and resultant factory emissions. A study performed by A. N. (2012) [64] revealed that 30,435 disease cases were linked to air pollution in Rivers State, and 61 of its patients were reported dead. Prevalent diseases associated with the cases include: cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), pulmonary tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infection (URT), pneumonia, measles, pertussis, and chronic bronchitis. The environmental air quality was also reported to be far worse than the WHO’s standard, and unsafe, posing health threats to residents (particulates = 10 ppm/year, SO2 = 1 ppm/year, Pb = 0.1115 ppm/year, NOx = 2.55 ppm/year, VOCx = 82.78 ppm/year). This study implied that air pollution largely from industrial emission has negatively forthrightly impacted public welfare. The aftermath of Ewekoro’s kiln impurities was closely observed by Olaleye & Oluyemi (2010) [65] at some aquatic receptor places, and a considerable concentration of atmospheric deposition rates (ADRs) and total suspended particulates (TSPs) was observed in the cement plant. The TSP and ADR concentrations were significantly more (p < 0.05) amidst dryer weather compared to humid periods. Furthermore, in the study, airborne particulates contain substantially greater concentration (p < 0.05) of trace elements such as lead (Pb+), zinc (Zn2+), and manganese (Mn2+). Similarly, Ugwuanyi & Obi (2002) [66] examined the adverse health consequences of environmental contaminants from cement industries on small-scale peasants in Nigeria’s Benue State. The research observed data from hospitals and correlated them with emissions from the vicinity of the plant. Diseases predominant amongst the community include allergic asthma allergies, impaired eyesight, chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), lung inflammation, and pulmonic tuberculosis. He concluded that the measurable atmospheric effects of hospitalized persons relative to sicknesses suggest that pollutants have begun dampening living quality and people’s productivities.
A.J. (2013) [67] observed that the particulate matter concentrations from Obajana cement plant measured by its Health and Safety Department using the SKC portable particulate sampler at several industry sites for years 2010 and 2011 were 260 μg/Nm3 and 500 μg/Nm3, respectively. Furthermore, Ugwuanyi & Obi (2002) [66] observed that suspended particulate matter at Benue Cement Company, Gboko was at 905 μg/Nm3, far exceeding both national and international standards. A study by Temitope & Ogochukwu Elizabeth (2014) [68] discovered the contamination of hawked food around a cement factory with pathogenic bacteria. The study further revealed the presence of a high microbial load of bacterial pathogens, namely Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Proteus sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Streptococcus pyogenes, etc. in hawked food sold around a cement factory in Lokoja. The high microbial load in the food ranges from 6.2–3.3 × 105 cfu/g, showing the likelihood of incidence of these organisms dispersed by dust from the cement plant onto the hawked food. Other research has indicated the clustering of suspended PMs and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceeding guidelines in stations around Cement depots in Port Harcourt. Using a collection of impingers possessing bubbler tools and automated gas monitors, the outcome of concentrated SPM for Atlas cement fluctuated within 678.9–996.2 µg/m3 and between 7.8–20.0 µg/m3 for NO2. For Eagle cement, SPM concentrations were extremely varied between 607.7–23,198.5 µg/m3 and 27.45–140.7 µg/m3 for NO2. This gives rise to damaging environmental and serious public unhealthiness distress as concrete SPM toxins emanate from cement unpacking, transportation, storing, and stacking onto carriage vans [69]. Otaru et al. (2013) [70] indicated that the simulated safety distance for human settlement is 7 km from a cement production plant, having utilized the Gaussian predictive model to measure the levels of particulate dissemination. This has negatively affected the populace around a cement plant as they are forced into settlement migration for greener pasture. The simulated outcomes agreed with experimental results at an average value of 92% within a Gaussian distance of 200–2000 m. These simulated findings reveal that the atmospheric cluster covering around 1.5–4.5 km from the heap exceeds the WHO yearly average yardstick of 260 µg/m3, and 2–4 km from the stockpile likewise surpassed the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environmental criterion annual average of 500 µg/m3.

6. Conclusions

In conclusion, this work reviews the effect of air and water pollutants from cement production on humans, plants, and its environment. There is satisfactory evidence to link the negative health impact of cement production on public health. Cement manufacturing involves the significant production of SO2, NOx, and CO, which are connected to adverse health effects on humans. Sensitive populations such as infants, the aged, and persons having lung ailments including asthmatics, emphysema, or bronchitis, are seen to be most affected. Consequently, in addressing this challenge, growing interests in enacting carbon capture, usage, and storage in the cement industry are expected to alleviate the negative environmental impact of cement production. Still, no carbon capture technology is yet to achieve commercialization in the cement industry. Nonetheless, huge advancement has been made in recent years with the advent of vital research in sorption-enhanced water gas shift, underground gasification combined cycle, ammonium hydroxide solution, and the microbial-induced synthesis of calcite for CO2 capture and storage, all considered sustainable and feasible in cement production.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/atmos12091111/s1, Figure S1: Carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria and other countries, Figure S2: Carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria [22], Figure S3: Methane (CH4) emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria [22], Figure S4: Nitrous Oxide Emissions (N2O) from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria [22], Figure S5: Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gases): HFCs, PFCs and SF6 Emission in Nigeria [22].

Author Contributions

The authors declare no conflict of interest Conceptualization: D.O., K.B.; Methodology, software, and validation: M.-A.E.; Writing—Original draft: M.-A.E., J.L.; Writing—review and editing: M.-A.E. and K.B.; Supervision: D.O. The authors disclose that no conflicting personal or financial interests exist which could interfere with this research’s findings in any way. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

The authors wholeheartedly appreciate the Chancellor and Managerial team of Covenant University for making this medium accessible for research publications.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Atmosphere 12 01111 g001 550
Figure 1. Percentage quantity of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in Nigerian Limestone Deposit [9,10].
Figure 1. Percentage quantity of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in Nigerian Limestone Deposit [9,10].
Atmosphere 12 01111 g001
Atmosphere 12 01111 g002 550
Figure 2. Major Cement Plants in Nigeria.
Figure 2. Major Cement Plants in Nigeria.
Atmosphere 12 01111 g002
Atmosphere 12 01111 g003 550
Figure 3. Carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria and other countries.
Figure 3. Carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria and other countries.
Atmosphere 12 01111 g003
Atmosphere 12 01111 g004 550
Figure 4. Annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) in various cities [61].
Figure 4. Annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (µg/m3) in various cities [61].
Atmosphere 12 01111 g004
Atmosphere 12 01111 g005 550
Figure 5. Pollution from cement production in Nigeria. Source: [62].
Figure 5. Pollution from cement production in Nigeria. Source: [62].
Atmosphere 12 01111 g005
Atmosphere 12 01111 g006 550
Figure 6. Average levels of heavy metals around Sagamu cement area (in ppm).
Figure 6. Average levels of heavy metals around Sagamu cement area (in ppm).
Atmosphere 12 01111 g006
Table
Table 1. Raw materials used for clinker production.
Table 1. Raw materials used for clinker production.
Calcium, CaLimestone involving quick-lime from treating wastewater, caustic-lime
Silicon, SiSand such as harnessed mould (silica sand-clay-liquid mixture)
Silicon–Aluminium, Si–AlKaolinite, bentonite, and similar forms of terra-cotta clay
Iron, FeIron-based metals, including heated pyrite and adulterated metallic minerals
Silicon–Aluminium–Calcium, Si–Al–CaPowdered blast furnace slag such as ashes from fuel combustion ashes, oil-soluble
Aluminium, AlRaw metallic apparatus constituting recycling salt slag, aluminium hydroxide
Sulphur, SNon-artificial gypsum such as Natural anhydrite Gypsum from flue gas desulfurization
Table
Table 2. Global cement production in selected countries (in metric tonnes) [6].
Table 2. Global cement production in selected countries (in metric tonnes) [6].
Countries20182019
United States87,00089,000
Brazil53,00055,000
China2,200,0002,200,000
Egypt81,20076,000
India300,000320,000
Indonesia75,20074,000
Iran58,00060,000
Japan55,30054,000
Korea, Republic of57,50055,000
Russia53,70057,000
Turkey72,50051,000
Vietnam90,20095,000
Other Countries870,000900,000
Table
Table 3. Atmospheric emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria.
Table 3. Atmospheric emissions from 1970 to 2019 in Nigeria.
YearsCarbon Dioxide (CO2)
Emission		Methane (CH4)
Emission		Nitrous Oxide, (N2O) EmissionGreenhouse Gases (F-Gases): (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) Emission
19700.0313012-
19710.0419012-
19720.0623012-
19730.0728013-
19740.0835014-
19750.0626014-
19760.0829014-
19770.0725015-
19780.0724015-
19790.1037016-
19800.0931016-
19810.07230160.1
19820.07200170.1
19830.07200170.1
19840.07210170.1
19850.07220180.1
19860.07220180.1
19870.07200180.1
19880.08230190.2
19890.08240190.2
19900.07240190.2
19910.08250200.2
19920.09250200.1
19930.09260210.1
19940.08250210.1
19950.0926022-
19960.10280220.1
19970.10250230.1
19980.09210240.2
19990.09190240.2
20000.10190250.3
20010.11200250.3
20020.10170260.4
20030.11190260.5
20040.10190260.6
20050.10190290.7
20060.09180280.8
20070.08180280.8
20080.09170290.9
20090.08170291.0
20100.09180301.1
20110.10180321.2
20120.09190321.3
20130.09180321.3
20140.09180321.4
20150.09180341.5
20160.09180351.6
20170.09180361.7
20180.10180371.7
20190.10180381.8
Unit = 109 kg CO2 eq (1 million metric tonnes). CO2 equivalent is calculated with Global Warming Potentials (GWP-100) of the Fourth IPCC Assessment report (2017). Graphical illustration in Supplementary Data.
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Etim, M.-A.; Babaremu, K.; Lazarus, J.; Omole, D. Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111

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Etim M-A, Babaremu K, Lazarus J, Omole D. Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria. Atmosphere. 2021; 12(9):1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111

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Etim, Mmemek-Abasi, Kunle Babaremu, Justin Lazarus, and David Omole. 2021. "Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria" Atmosphere 12, no. 9: 1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111

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Etim, M. -A., Babaremu, K., Lazarus, J., & Omole, D. (2021). Health Risk and Environmental Assessment of Cement Production in Nigeria. Atmosphere, 12(9), 1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12091111

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