A Study on the Effect of Pollution on Productivity in ...Agency, through surveys of willingness to pay for avoiding air pollution health risks, estimated that the benefits and costs

Journal of Advance Management Research, ISSN: 2393-9664

Vol.06 Issue-04, (April 2018), Impact Factor: 4.73

Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories

Journal of Advance Management Research, ISSN: 2393-9664 (JAMR) http://www.jamrpublication.com email id- [email protected] Page 143

A Study on the Effect of Pollution on Productivity in Manufacturing Industry

Pushmita Bhattacharya1

Lecturer, Science & Humanities Dept.

Technique Polytechnic Institute

Hooghly, West Bengal, India

Dr. Abhijit Chakraborty2

Principal, Technique Polytechnic Institute

Hooghly, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT

Productivity of any manufacturing unit is a crucial aspect in today’s competitive world. But the

pollution is acting as an obstacle in order to achieve that aspect due to having a negative effect on

workers health. Any manufacturing unit can grow and prosper if it can improve its productivity.

Pollution affects the productivity and damages the workers activity. Air pollution increases the

health risks and noise pollution affects both health and nature of human employee. Noise annoyance

causes physiological and psychological disorders in workers during manufacturing processes. The

objective of the research paper is to study the impacts of air and noise pollution on labor

productivity. Population is likely to have impacts on productivity at the working place which may

be pervasive in nature and ultimately affecting the worker’s health, its productivity as well as

hampering the production system of the manufacturing unit.

Keywords: Pollution, Health, Productivity, Efficiency

Introduction:

Productivity has now become an everyday watchword. It is crucial to the welfare of the Industrial

Firm as well as for the economic progress of the country. High productivity refers to doing the

work in a shortest possible time with least expenditure on input without sacrificing quality and

with minimum usage of resources. But the productivity is very much affected due to pollution

inside the manufacturing unit. The workers health gets affected due to high noise during various

operational processes in the different section depending upon the category of job being done

there.

Productivity is the quantitative relation between what we produce and what we use as a

reference to produce them, i.e. arithmetic ratio of amount produced i.e. output to the amount of

resources i.e. input. Productivity can be expressed as:

Productivity=Output / Input

Productivity refers to the efficiency of the production system. It is the concept that guides the

management of production system. It is an indication of how well the factors of production, i.e.





land, capital, labor and energy are utilized. Productivity is the measure of how well the resources

are brought together in a societal aspiration through input-output relationship.

Mohanti and Rastogi (1986) provided a detailed survey of productivity measurement models.

Ghobadian and Husban (1990) examine the role of Frontier and Cobb Douglas production

function in the measurement of company level productivity. Kumbhakal et al. (1999) deals with

modeling total factor productivity growth in a flexible manner. Several competing models used

by them to examine the robustness of result and are concluded that the empirical results are

turnout to be model dependent. Liang et al. (2001) advocated that efficiency measurement

through financial ratios can be a good measure of firm’s performance. Bhatia (1970) proposed a

productivity index which is a ratio of weighted index of output to weighted index of inputs, but

most of these models concentrate more and more on quantitative productivity.

However, when we look at the manufacturing industry or Construction sites that bring out lot of

noise, mainly from heavy equipment and machinery used in construction field. Over noise is

virtually annoyance and confound to the humanity, but can lead to loss of hearing, hypertension,

and irregular heart beat(Greetha.M,Ambika.D,2015).The three different market impacts of air

pollution are: reduced labor productivity; increased health expenditures; and crop yield losses.

Projected 2060 GDP losses in India are much smaller than in China, despite both countries having

projections of very high concentrations (The economic consequences of outdoor Air Pollution,

June2016).Mndeme and Mkoma (2012) observed that industrial machine noise in a cement

factory range from 58.08 dB (A) to 104.82 dB (A) and a total of 82.5% of workers had various

health defects as a result of exposure to such noise. For example in Nigeria, the National

Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency mandates industrial employers

to limit factory noise to a value less than 85 dB (A) for an 8-hour period (NESREA, 2009) as

prolonged exposure to continuous sound in excess of this limit is potentially dangerous(IB.

IBRAHIM, AS. AREMU, KR. AJAO, AT. OJELABI,2014).In 2011,the US Environmental Protection

Agency, through surveys of willingness to pay for avoiding air pollution health risks, estimated

that the benefits and costs of clean air would be $2 trillion and $66 billion per year from 1990 to

2020,respectively.They concluded that this is a result of increased productivity and decreased

health expenses from clean air environment(Jaesung Choi, David C. Roberts,2015).Ozone levels

well below federal air quantity standards have a significant impact on productivity: a 10 parts

per billion(ppb) decrease in ozone concentrations increases worker productivity by

5.5percent(Joshua Graff Zivin and Matthew Neidell,2012).Noise in work environment is the

major cause of concern for safety & health of the factory workers. The psychological effects of

noise are common compared to the physiological ones and they can be seen in the forms of

annoyance, stress, concentration disorders and difficulties in resting and perception (MNDEME,

F.G. and MKOMA, S.L.)





Fig.1 Effect of Noise Pollution on Human Health

This survey assessed the noise level with its impact at cement factory near Dhulagori, in district

Howrah, West Bengal that extends to 22.582 latitude and 88.175 longitudes. Prolonged exposure

to high intensity sounds resulted in certain forms of psychological and physiological disorders.

The factory constitutes about 50 employees where’s 20 % are female workers. There is always

high sound when the machines are running. It has been seen that the noise levels detected in all

the industries are above 80 dB.High intensity noise highly affects the productivity of the workers

at the working site. Exposure to continue noise level above 85dB leads to hearing loss and this

loss varied from person to person viz.level, frequency and duration of exposure.

Production & Productivity

Production is defined as the process or procedure to transform a set of input into output having

the defined utility and quality. Production is a value added process. Production system is an

organized process of conversion of raw materials into useful finished products.

The concept of production and productivity are totally different. Production refers to absolute

output whereas productivity is a relative term where the output is always expressed in terms of

inputs. Increase in production may or may not be an indicator of increase in productivity. If the

production is increased for the same output, then there is an increase in productivity.

As per European Productivity Agency (EPA) has defined productivity as:-

“Productivity is an attitude of mind. It is the mentality of progress of the constant improvement of

that which exists. It is the certainty of being able to do better today than yesterday and continuously.

It is the constant adoption of economic and social life to changing conditions. It is the continuous

effort to apply new technologies and methods. It is the faith in human progress.”





Productivity is the measure of how well the resources are brought together in societal aspirations

through input-output relationship.

Fig.2 Productivity

Production can be increased:

When production is increased without increase in inputs.

The same production with decrease in inputs.

The rate of increase of output is more compared to rate of increase in input.

Benefits from Productivity: Productivity integrates the objects of owners and workers.

Productivity contributes towards increase in production through efficient utilization of resources

and inputs rather than making workers to work hard. Productivity strikes to minimize human

hazards and human efforts with a view to utilize them to these areas where they can contribute

maximum to the output.

Dynamics of Productivity change: A Productivity improvement result is lower cost per unit by

effective utilization of all the resources and reducing wastage. Lower cost per unit contributes to

increased profit levels so that Company can reinvest the surplus in new technology, equipments

and machines. This will result in further productivity increase and also there is a greater

employment generation due to new investments. This productivity increase results in higher

usages to employees as profit potential of the company increases thereby increasing purchasing

power of workers. Thus productivity increase sets in a chain reaction.

Productivity Measures: Depending upon the individual input, partial productivity measures are

expressed as:

Partial Productivity = Total Output / Individual Input

Labor Productivity = Total Output / Labor Input

Capital Productivity = Total Output / Capital Input

Material Productivity = Total Output / Material Input

Energy Productivity = Total Output / Energy Input

Total Productivity Measures: It is based on all inputs. This can be applied to any manufacturing

organization or service company.

Total Productivity = Total tangible output / Total tangible input

Total Factor Productivity Measures: It is the ratio of net output to the labor and capital input





So, Total Factor Productivity = Net Output / (Labor + Capital Inputs)

Effect of noise on workers:

Mild hearing loss: People here sound between 25 and 40dB.Workers suffering from mild

hearing loss faces some difficulties during conversation in noisy environment.

Moderate hearing loss: People hear sounds between 40 and 70dB. Workers suffering from

moderate hearing loss face difficulties during conversation when not using hearing aid.

Severe hearing loss: People hear between 70 and 95dB.Workers suffering from severe

hearing loss must take a hearing aid though they mostly depend on sign language or lip

reading.

Profound hearing loss: Workers hear in between 95dB.Workers suffering from profound

hearing loss face difficulties in hearing and very often depend on sign language or lip reading.

Acoustic Trauma: Short burst like gunshot causes sudden hearing loss.

Tinnitus: Often observed among workers ringing or buzzing in ear in a noisy area.

Temporary threshold shift/Temporary hearing loss:

This is observed immediately after exposure to a high level of noise. Partial recovery takes

place when the workers spend some time in a quite atmosphere. Complete recover occurs

after several hours.

Permanent Threshold shift/Permanent hearing loss: This is observed on prolonged

exposure to high intensity sound month after month and year after year. A permanent hearing

damage occurs that cannot be cured by medical treatment and worsens as noise exposure

continues.

Noise Level Measurements:

Noise measurements was done in various sections of cement factory between 8am to 4pm for

2 days in the month of Jan,2018.The various section of cement factory includes cement

processing, clay and limestone crusher, limestone silo, red soil silo, compressor room, raw

mill, preheater, kiln, cement mills, Parker, parking plant, garage, workshop, power plant,

canteen and offices. The offices and canteen are the control sites of the factory during the

study as the noise level is within 75dB.After noise measurements were done in different areas

of the factory; regions having illegal noise above 75dB were identified.





Table1: Minimum, Maximum & Average Noise Level at Different Production Section in

the Cement Factory

Production section

Noise Levels dB

Standard Deviation

Median

LMIN LMAX LAVG

Clay crusher 7 3 . 1 5 9 3 . 1 2 8 2 . 5 4 9.99 82.54 Lime crusher 8 4 . 1 2 9 4 . 6 5 9 0 . 2 5 5.29 90.25 Red Soil Silo 7 5 . 2 0 8 6 . 2 8 8 0 . 1 6 5.55 80.16 Compressor Room 9 5 . 7 3 1 0 3 . 0 5 9 9 . 5 9 3.66 99.59 Raw Mill 9 0 . 5 2 9 5 . 5 2 9 2 . 6 5 2.51 92.65 Preheater 7 4 . 2 0 7 6 . 4 8 7 4 . 7 7 1.19 74.77 Kiln 8 2 . 5 1 9 2 . 1 0 8 5 . 5 2 4.90 85.52 Cement Mill 9 3 . 8 2 9 5 . 1 7 9 4 . 7 9 0.70 94.79 Parker 7 9 . 7 6 8 2 . 8 5 7 9 . 9 2 1.74 79.92 Parking Plant 7 2 . 1 6 8 3 . 1 2 7 5 . 1 6 5.66 75.16 Workshop 7 4 . 1 0

7 6 . 7 5 7 5 . 4 3 1.33 75.43 Garage 7 0 . 0 0 7 5 . 5 8 7 0 . 2 8 3.14 70.28 Power Plant 1 0 5 . 3 2 1 0 6 . 5 4 1 0 6 . 0 0 0.61 106.00 Canteen 6 5 . 3 2 6 7 . 7 5 6 5 . 7 7 1.29 65.77 Offices 5 5 . 8 0 5 8 . 0 8 5 2 . 5 0 9.99 82.54

Fig.3 Graphical representation of LMIN,LMAX & LAVG Noise levels, Standard deviation & its

Median in various sections of factory

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

NO

ISE

LEV

ELS(

dB

)

PRODUCTION SECTIONS

Variations of Noise Levels in Production Sections

Lmin

Lmax

Lavg

Std.Dev

Median





The classification is made into three categories, those below 80dB, those between 80 and 90dB,

and above 90dB. The evaluation showed 33% factory sections had noise levels below 80dB, 20%

were between 80-90dB and the remaining 47% were found to be above 90dB.Therefore, on

average 67% of measurements exceeded the allowed limit value of 85dB as recommended by

Indian Bureau of Standard. The higher levels were found especially on production sections

whereas sections such as in canteen and offices had average noise values that were below 80dB.

Only 17% of the measurements are in sections parker, clay crusher and red soil silo that had noise

levels below 80 dB each, while 83% of measurements for those sections had noise levels between

80-90dB.About 50% of measurements at limestone crusher had noise level between 80-90dB and

50% were above 90dB. But the highest noise levels were observed at the compressor room, raw

mill, cement mill and power plant whereby for each section all measurements showed noise

levels above 90dB.

Workers response to noise pollution:

Fig.4 Schematic diagram of Effects of Noise Pollution

Table 2(shown below) represents the socio demographic characteristics and frequency

distribution of 50 workers at the cement factory. The assessment reveals that 80% workers are

male and 20 % workers are female.42% workers are in between 18-35 years & 58% of workers

are above 35 years of age. About 54% have primary education, 36% have secondary education &

10% are college/University graduates. Workers working in this environment for less than 2 years

are 40%,2 to 5 years are 24% whereas above 5 years are 36%.Moreover,all the workers work in

the factory for above 5 hrs.





Table2 represents the socio demographic characteristics and frequency distribution

CHARACTERISTICS RESPONDENTS(n) PERCENTAGE(% ) SEX MALE 40 80 FEMALE 10 20 AGE 18-35 21 42 ABOVE 35 29 58 EDUCATION PRIMARY 27 54 SECONDARY 18 36 COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY 5 10 DURATION OF EXPOSURE(IN YEARS)

<2 YRS 20 40 2 TO 5 YRS 12 24 ABOVE 5 YRS 18 36 DURATION OF WORK HRS PER DAY

>5 HRS 50 100

Fig.5 Graphical representation of socio demographic characteristics and frequency

distribution

Table 3 represents a Questionnaire given to the workers of the cement factory

020406080

100120

PERCENTAGE(%)

PERCENTAGE(%)





Question Number

Characteristics Respondents Percentage

1. Are your health gets affected by noise & air pollution?

a. YES 40 80 b. NO 10 20 2. Types of noise effects? a. Headache 10 20 b. Hearing problems 27 54

c. Bad temper/irritability

5 10

d. Difficult to concentrate

8 16

3. Types of air pollution effects?

a. Breathing difficulties 37 74 b. Irritation in eyes 13 26

4. Comment on the noise from machines

a. High/very high sound 43 86 b. Normal/medium 7 14

5. Comment on the aerial environment

a. Dusty 43 86

b. Less dusty(comfortable to breathe)

7 14

6. Quality of hearing a. Good 6 12 b. Average 11 22 c. Below average 33 66

7. Do you face difficulty in conversation

a. YES 45 90 b. NO 5 10 8. Hearing over phone a. Face difficulty 48 96 b. Without difficulty 2 4

9. Do you use mask during working hrs?

a. YES(occasionally) 12 24 b. NO 32 64 c. All the time 6 12

10. Do you use ear plugs/muffs?

a. YES(occasionally) 13 26 b. NO 31 62 c. All the time 6 12

11. Is it important to use the protective stuffs





a. Yes 45 90 b. No 5 10

12. Reason for not using protective stuffs

a. Not available 13 26 b. Dislike of using 37 74

The results show that 80% of the workers are suffering from health hazards.20% suffering from

headache10% from bad temper/irritation,16% from lack of concentration and majority of

workers responded about hearing loss.74% of workers are highly affected by the Air pollution in

the factory premises where as 26% workers reported irritation in eyes.86% workers commented

about the high to very high sound from the machines while 14% commented on the medium to

normal sound of the machine.86% (i.e. majority)commented on the dusty environment whereas

14% didn’t have much problem with the polluted atmosphere. 66% of the workers have below

average quality of hearing,90% workers face difficulty in conversation during the working

hours.96% gets irritated while speaking over phone.24% uses mask during working in the dusty

environment but occassionally,64% of workers find less importance in wearing the masks & only

12% workers wear it all the time. Similarly 62% doesn’t use ear plugs/ear muffs during working

hours.12% i.e. very few are aware and use ear muffs all the time whereas 26% uses

occasionally.90% of workers are aware of the importance of use of protective gear while 10%

don’t find it.24 % of the cement workers commented on the non-availability of the protective

stuffs whereas 74% dislike to wear it.

Conclusion:

For the development of Nation, Productivity plays a vital role. The increase and improvement of

Industrial Productivity can develop any Nation and it can move towards a prosperous bright

future. It can be depicted that noise and exposure to polluted air has strong impact on

productivity level of the workers which in turn interferes their performance. Workers exposed

to polluted air and noise above 85 dB will eventually develop health hazards. It can be further

concluded that noise & air pollution in the factory causes annoyance, irritation in behavior and

eye, lack of concentration, hearing loss, breathing problems like asthma, premature death etc.

This survey suggests that workers must be well aware by certain training educational programs

about their preventive measures in such an environment. They must use masks, glasses, ear

muffs etc for their protection. The workers mainly in the noisy sections must have hearing tests

or related health issues periodically each year. Hearing empowers us and helps us to lead over

everyday lives without limitations. It enables us to socialize, work & communicate so as breathing

is essential for one’s survival. Considering the dusty environment and noisy atmosphere in mind,

the company authorities must take extra care of their workers senses by supplying the protective

gears & help them to sustain in such an environment.

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Documents

A Study on the Effect of Pollution on Productivity in ...Agency, through surveys of willingness to pay for avoiding air pollution health risks, estimated that the benefits and costs