A CEMENT company based in Barangay Tina-an, Naga City assured it conducts regular air quality monitoring in its plant and the 193-hectare quarry area.
The company also said it has implemented the efficient utilization of resources, the use of alternative fuel, and regular information dissemination to stakeholders.
Engr. Jenevey Patalinjug, Apo Cement Corp. environment, health and safety officer, said the company has installed 10 ambient air quality monitoring equipment in various sites within the quarry area.
Air emission tests are also done regularly, aside from measuring levels of nitrogen oxide, sulfuric oxide, carbon dioxide and dust particles.
The tests are conducted quarterly by the multi-partite monitoring team, the company and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 office.
Patalinjug did not comment on the finding of EMB 7 on air quality tests conducted last month at the Kepco-Salcon Power Corp. (KSPC) compound, including the raw coal stockyard last month.
The environment agency reported that the level of ambient air quality at the compound was within government standards but there could be other sources of dust pollution aside from the stockyard.
The distance between the cement company and the power producing company is only from 2.5 kilometers to three kilometers.
A KSPC official also said in a previous interview that a cement company near their plant could also be responsible for dust pollution in the area.
Patalinjug said the environment team of Apo Cement is doing a study on air pollution in the area, noting that “there are many factors that may contribute (to the pollution)."
“Our focus is on the stocks (of klinker inside the) plant. We have air pollution (control devices) installed,” she added.
Klinker is also called “cooked limestone” and is one of the components of cement.
There are three electrostatic precipitators installed at the kiln or area where the limestone undergoes extreme heat or “cooking.”
Other environment conservation efforts implemented by the company include a wastewater treatment plant connected to five deep wells, while the kiln is operated using alternative fuel composed of a mix of old tires, coal and paper.
Patalinjug said it also pays to listen to the community living around the quarry area.
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