Dileep Geddam, Viswanadha Kumar Giduturi, Srinivasa Rao Davala and Vijaya Ratna Mugada
Abstract
This study examines the environmental and health impacts of the quarrying industry in India, with a focus on particulate pollution. Emphasizing the growing demand for construction materials as Indiaââ¬â¢s infrastructure expands, the paper explores the implications of increased quarrying activities. Using a robust sampling methodology, the study measured pollution levels, particularly PM10 and PM2.5, in Anakapalle, a significant suburb in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. Results indicated critical pollution levels, exceeding national standards consistently throughout the study period. A household survey complemented these findings, shedding light on the communityââ¬â¢s perception of quarry activities. The study underscores the urgent need for effective pollution control measures and sustainable quarrying practices to mitigate adverse health outcomes and environmental degradation. It calls for a balance between development needs and environmental conservation, with recommendations for policy interventions to regulate the industry more effectively.