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 Indiaâs 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 communityâs 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.