Assessment of Factory Workers Exposure to Particulate Matter Fractions using Exceedance Factor and Pollution Standard Index

Emissions of particulate matter from manufacturing industries have gained great attention due to their adverse effects on human health, environment and the air quality. The study characterized and quantified particulate matter (PM) fractions in different types of manufacturing plants using a PM 3016 particulate counter connected to a Wolfpack modular area monitor, measured concentrations were analyzed and interpreted using the exceedance factor (EF) and pollutant standard index (PSI) tools. The extrapolated mean concentration of PM
2.5
were 143.66, 120.17, 73.44, 47.15 and 58.35 μg/m
³
for metal recycling, cement, ceramics, wood and paper industries respectively. The computed EF values were in the range of 134.71 – 410.46, 112.05 – 309.89 and 88.92 – 275.95 for PM
2.5
, PM
10
and total suspended particlaaes. Metal recycling plant had the highest estimated PSI values of 193 and 356 for PM
2.5
and PM
10
respectively. Measured concentrations of these pollutants breach the acceptable limit by the regulatory bodies, the EF and PSI indicated that the factory floors of these manufacturing plants are heavily polluted and unhealthy for the factory workers who are exposed to this pollution load. Installations of dust collector equipment, improvement in material handling during production processes and continuous monitoring exercise at the production floors of these plants are highly recommended.