CO₂ Emissions

Every single year over 4 billion tons of cement is produced which in turn accounts for 8% of the entirety of the world's CO₂ emissions. [1]

These emissions result from [2]:

• Calcination: The chemical process of heating limestone (CaCO₃) to a high temperature without melting it to form cement minerals (clinker)

• Fossil Fuel Combustion: Burning fuels to maintain temperatures in the kiln

With each single pound of cement that is produced, 0.93 pounds of CO₂ is released into the atmosphere. This amount of emissions majorly contributes to the acceleration of global warning. [3]

Other Harmful Emissions

Additionally, during the production process there are other gases that are released which also negatively affect the environment. 

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ) [4]:

• These gases are emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels in kilns. They are able to cause acid rain which can damage crops, soil, and water systems.

• NOₓ emissions can cause ground-level ozone. This is a harmful pollutant that is able to harm plants and ecosystems. [5]

Particulate Matter

A common byproduct of cement plants are particulate matter which are miniscule particles that are released into the air.

PM2.5 and PM10 [6]:

• These particles along with lots of dust contaminate the air around cement production plants.

• It is also possible for particulate matter to float into water sources and onto crops.

Extraction of Raw Materials

In order to actually produce cement raw materials such as limestone, clay, and gypsum are extracted within quarries and mines. 

The results of this extraction can include [7]:

• Habitat destruction due to quarries and mines being destructive towards natural environments where wildlife and plants reside.

• Resource depletion due to the significant amount of resources which go into obtaining these materials and then producing the cement.

Workers in Cement Manufacturing

There are more than 250,000 workers in the cement manufacturing industry and over 10% of those workers (28,000) obtained health issues directly from their job. [8]

These health issues can vary, but a prevalent one is respiratory issues that range from asthma to lung cancer. This is caused by harmful emissions released during cement manufacturing and other chemicals like lima and silica. [9] 

Areas Living Near Cement Manufacturing Plants

People living in the surrouding areas of cement manufacturing plants also have increased health risks from the harmful emissions. 

A scientific review highlights that there was an "increased risk of respiratory tract cancers" to people who were living near cement plants as a result of higher toxicity levels in the kidneys of those people. [10]

Measures can be taken to mitigate some risk from living near a cement plant, such as replacing the HEPA filters and staying indoors more often. However, cement plants are already jeopordizing the health of the people working within them, and now the sourrounding community. 

Cement Plants Affecting Their Communities

In addition to the direct effect cement manufacturing has on their surrounding area, the pollution and waste affects other parts of the community as well. 

In Dallas, towards the west, near Fish Trap Lake, cement plands and industrial companies have polluted the lake from their wastewater and runoff it creates. This waste contributes to the aforementioned respiratory problems as residents have complained over the course of these plants being built and used. [11]

The plants are also displacing low-income communities, like the one found in Dallas, from more cement plants being built, and they are powerless to stop them.