Abstract:
Quarries are important for the economy of developing countries including Sri Lanka.
For the rapid development in the country there should be a developed road system,
irrigation and building construction. In the recent past main development projects were
implemented in our country. They are the construction of expressways, buildings,
harbors etc. This rapid development has led to an increased demand for rock as a
construction material. There are many rock quarries island wide. Quarrying products
are increasingly demanded for industrial, domestic, agricultural and other purposes so
as to satisfy the needs of the rapidly growing population. Quarry operations generally
involve removal of over burden, drilling, blasting and crushing of rock materials. This
major impact has been accompanied by loss of habitat, noise, dust, vibrations, chemical
spills, erosion and sedimentation of the quarry site. Therefore, many environmental
issues are raised. The aim of this study is to identify the environmental effects of rock
quarrying on the health of the nearby residents in the Ralapanawa GN division in
Anuradhapura district. The objective of the study is therefore to assess the
environmental effects of rock quarrying and its effects on the health status of the
community. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study and Microsoft
Excel and SPSS was employed for the data analysis. Primary data were obtained
through a questionnaire survey and field observations in the study area. Secondary data
were collected from different government agencies. The main finding of the study was
the impacts of the mining activity on the environment which included the impact on
buildings, farmlands, crops, change in of land use and surface water. High
concentrations of dust on the plants result in poor plant performance, yield and health
problem of the nearby residents as nasal infection. Because construction activities such
as drilling, blasting and removal of vegetation, a deep and large hole has been created
in that rock quarrying area. The negative effects of quarrying operations on human
health and the environment were identified.
