Personal Account: Construction's Harmful Effects on Air Quality

 







Dusty atmosphere                 Credit: Abdul Hamid Amama 


Author: Abdul Hamid Amama


As I stood at the sand-winning and gravel stone site in Kwabenya, I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of unsustainable construction practices on air quality and land management. The site, surrounded by once-pristine mountains, was now a hub of environmental destruction. The air was thick with dust and particulate matter, polluting the atmosphere and posing serious health risks to nearby communities. The mountains, once a natural beauty, were being ravaged by excavation and drilling, leaving behind a trail of destruction and soil erosion. The site's activities were not only harming the environment but also damaging the health and wellbeing of the workers and nearby residents.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a major environmental risk factor for public health in Ghana, with an estimated 12,200 premature deaths occurring annually due to exposure to poor air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Ghana's capital city, Accra, regularly exceeds the WHO's recommended levels, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching as high as 33.2 μg/m3 in 2023. This is more than six times the WHO's annual guideline value.

The construction industry must adopt environmentally conscious methods to mitigate the harmful effects of building development. To address these issues, we must implement sustainable solutions. This can be achieved by:

- Implementing dust suppression measures
- Using cleaner fuels and energy-efficient systems
- Incorporating green spaces into building designs
- Conducting environmental impact assessments
- Adopting circular economy principles to reduce waste and promote recycling

By working together and prioritizing sustainability, we can create a future where construction and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand, building a better world for generations to come. Let's work together to create a future where construction and sustainability go hand-in-hand. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the planet to build a better world, one that prioritizes both progress and environmental stewardship.


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