Wood Dust Particles: Environmental Pollutant in Nigerian Sawmill Industries

Background: Wood dust is made of wood shavings from machining wood in sawmills and it becomes potential health problem when inhaled. This study assesses concentration of wood dust particulate matter resulting from wood processing in sawmills. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 84 sawmills in Osun State, Nigeria in January, 2013. Samples of total suspended particulate matter of sizes 0.5 μm, 1 μm, and 5 μm were measured with GT-321 Particle Counter. Two samples were taken at 1 h interval from each sawmill sites during work hours. Air sampling was also done in 84 welder workshops to compare results. A walk through survey was conducted in 10 sawmills to assess the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. P value was set at