Effects of Surkh-Rod District Brick Kilns Emissions on Human Health

Abstract

In this paper, we tried to find the effects of brick kiln emissions on human health at Surkh-Rod district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan and which live in a circle of one kilometer of brick kilns. Establishing the facts, both quantitative and qualitative data were simultaneously collected, the area was sampled based on non-random convenience sampling, (20) brick kilns selected based on random stratified sampling and the respondents were selected based on sample random sampling. Microsoft excel descriptive analysis, percentage analysis was performed for data analysis of close-ended statements and thematic analysis was used to analyze non-quantifiable data from the open-ended items (textual).  After analyzing the data, it concludes that a wide range of individuals, including men, women, kids, adolescents, and senior citizens, work in brick kilns. The majority of these workers lack access to modern education, and their religious education is also at a low level. The toxic gases in the kiln causes more suffer to those employed there. Furthermore, those families who live near kilns for at least five years at a distance of almost one kilometer have shortness of breath, headaches, different types of lung diseases, Eye Irritation, Hearth and skin diseases. These disease is caused by the harmful gases produced by the burning of coal, coal, wood, garbage and various types of fuel. Also, our finding shows that they don't wear any of the protective equipment that should be worn at work to protect themselves from the potentially harmful impacts of these hazardous gasses.