Environmental impact assessment of cement industries using mathematical matrix method: case of Ghayen cement, South Khorasan, Iran.

Abstract

Cement industries produce millions of tons of by-products each year, including dust, toxic gases, and heavy metals, which pose respiratory health hazards and environmental pollution. Although several literatures have investigated environmental impact in cement factories, the extent to which these assessments affect the population has received limited responsiveness. This study investigates this gap by examining the environmental impacts of the Ghayen Cement Industry on environmental components and public health. Using a mathematical matrix, it found that the effect of the cement factory on the environment produced four categories of significant effects: L, low; M, medium; H, high; and VH, very high. Results in terms of basic criteria revealed 0.70 of the most destructive effect was related to water pollution. Regarding the interaction effect of project activities (basic and complimentary basic criteria) on environmental components, the highest destructive effect was excavation and land deformation while the lowest effect was on public health. The study also found out that the use of compensation factors reduced the negative effect of the project on the environment. The use of common methods of environmental improvement such as erosion control, proper location of facilities, and the creation of green spaces is essential to mitigate the impact of projects on the environment.