The Environmental and Health Effects of Quarrying Activities in BanZazzau Area of Zaria City, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the environmental and health implications of quarrying activities in Ban-Zazzau area of
Zaria City in Kaduna State. Questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted to obtain information from
quarry workers, residents and stakeholders in the area. The respondents were selected using stratified and
random sampling techniques. Findings revealed that in terms of the age structure, majority of the respondents
are adults between the age of 26 and 45 years which is made up of 45.8% of the total respondents. These
categories of people belong to the active proportion of the population who are likely to bear the burden of the
quarry activities in the area. Findings also shows that majority of the respondents are quarry workers and traders
each making up of 37.2% and 41.5% respectively. Also, majority of the respondents were found to be literate. In
addition, findings revealed that among the activities carried out in the quarry site, the major ones are blasting,
crashing and packing of products which amount to 54.3%. Deforestation and damage to farmland were found to
be among the main environmental effects of quarry in the study area which made up 55.3%. The most
noticeable health effects of quarrying activities were found to be cough, chest pains and throat infections.
Suggestions made by the respondents to reduce effects on quarrying activities include control of blasting to
reduce vibration and a reduction in dust produced according to 29.8% and 25.5% of the respondents
respectively. There is also the need for government to formulate and enforce pollution control policy and also
ensure compliance by quarry operators in the area.