Effect of Cement Dust on Residents in the Vicinity of Bokajan Factory, Assam, North East India

Cement manufacturing industries are among the most common sources of air, water (surface and ground) and noise pollution, indirectly affecting those residing near cement plants. The present study was conducted to quantify the effect of cement dust emission from Cement Corporation of India’s Bokajan factory in Assam, North East India, on the residences nearby, some selected household activities and the general well-being of people in its vicinity. An experiment was carried out to estimate the accumulated cement dust in households. The findings showed that household activities performed by the residents were dependent upon dust exposure, thus affecting the degree of cleaning and maintenance of their dwellings. Further, the adverse effect of cement dust was found to be more pronounced for people residing in the southern direction and lowest for those in the eastern direction.