Abstract
Industrialization has significantly increased occupational exposure to both noise and electromagnetic fields (EMFs), creating complex health and safety challenges. This study assessed the patterns, intensity, and health impacts of noise and EMF exposure among workers across selected industries in Northwestern Nigeria. Data were analysed from ten structured variables, including exposure sources, intensity levels, health effects, protective practices, training, and policy implementation. The findings revealed that machinery and generators were the dominant exposure sources, accounting for over 60% of total risk frequency. Exposure intensity ranged from moderate to very high, with power and rice-processing industries showing the highest prevalence. Commonly reported health effects included headache (60.6%), sleep disturbances (37.4%), and stress (35.4%), while auditory effects such as hearing loss (13.1%) and tinnitus (2%) were less frequent. Only 24% of industries had implemented protection or training programs, and 75.8% of respondents lacked access to any form of personal protective equipment (PPE). About 74.7% of workers never wore noise protection, and only two industries had done formal exposure assessments. The most proposed mitigation strategies included workplace improvement (50.5%) and PPE provision (47.5%). The study concludes that poor occupational safety culture, lack of training, and inadequate regulatory enforcement are major contributors to the observed health outcomes. For long-term workplace safety, it is important to strengthen industrial health policies, make regular exposure monitoring mandatory, and use both engineering and administrative controls. These findings align with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (2020), the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, 2020), and the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2021) on workplace environmental safety stand
References
Ademola, A. O., & Oyebanjo, A. E. (2023). The study focuses on occupational exposure to noise and electromagnetic radiation in manufacturing industries. Journal of Environmental Health Research, 22(3), 145–157. Adekoya, B. J., Adebayo, M. O., & Oyeniyi, O. (2018). The study focused on occupational noise exposure and hearing conservation among industrial workers in Lagos, Nigeria. African Journal of Health, Safety, and Environment, 6(2), 55–67. Adeola, F. A., Musa, B., & Ibrahim, Y. (2022). The study focuses on the challenges associated with industrial radiation safety in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Environmental Science, 18(4), 230–241. Allam, S. M. E., Algany, M. M. A., & Khider, Y. I. A. (2024). The study focuses on the awareness of radiation safety compliance among healthcare workers who are exposed to ionizing radiation. BMC Nursing, 23(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024- 01858-4 Basner, M., Babisch, W., Davis, A., Brink, M., Clark, C., Janssen, S., & Stansfeld, S. (2014). Auditory and non-auditory effects of noise on health. The Lancet, 383(9925), 1325– https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61613-X Chauhan, V., Paliwal, D., & Singh, R. (2020). Chauhan, V., Paliwal, D., & Singh, R. (2020) used occupational health education as a tool to reduce industrial risk exposure. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 10(2), 80–88. Cronbach, L. J. (1951). The study focused on the relationship between the coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555 Huss, A., Goris, K., Verloock, L., & Joseph, W. (2021). Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: Current knowledge and gaps in research. Environmental Research, 197, 111123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111123 International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). (2020). The guidelines aim to limit exposure to electromagnetic fields ranging from 100 kHz to 300 GHz. Health Physics, 118(5), 483–524. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001210 International Labour Organization (ILO). (2021). Occupational safety and health in the workplace: PPE standards and compliance. Geneva, Switzerland: Author. Kebbi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (2024). The report is an annual industrial development report. Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria Khurana, V. G., Teo, C., & Kundi, M. (2021). The study focuses on the biological and health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(7), 076001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7411 Lee, Y., Lee, S., & Lee, W. (2023). Occupational and environmental noise exposure and extra- auditory effects on humans: A systematic review. GeoHealth, 7(6), e2023GH000805. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GH000805 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). The study conducted a demographic and economic survey of Kebbi State. Abuja, Nigeria: Federal Republic of Nigeria. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2022). Criteria for a recommended standard: The recommended standard pertains to occupational noise exposure. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ogungbe, A. S., & Amosu, W. C. (2017). The study examined the effects of noise pollution on the hearing capabilities of industrial workers in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria. Archives of Current Research International, 6(4), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.9734/ACRI/2017/38502 Oyeme, F. P., & Ayo, O. (2017). The study examined the impact of industrial noise pollution on the auditory performance and health status of industrial workers in Oluyole Industrial Estate, Ibadan, Nigeria. Academia Journal of Educational Research, 5(6), 92– Samaila, B., Abubakar, N and Yahaya, N.M. (2020). Scientific Review of Comparative Studies on Health Hazards of Non-Ionizing Radiation Emanating from Electric Power Lines and GSM Telecommunication Masts. Test Engineering and Management, 12759 – 12768 Samaila, B., Sagagi, Y.M., and Tampul, H.M. (2023). Exposure and Biological Impacts Assessment of Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation. Science Set Journal of Physics, 2(1), 01-11, www.mkscienceset.com Sliwinska-Kowalska, M., & Zaborowski, K. (2017). WHO environmental noise guidelines for the European region: A review of the scientific evidence. Noise & Health, 19(87), 1– https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.NAH_24_16 World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) published environmental noise guidelines for the European region in 2020. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Regional Office for Europe. World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA, 310(20), 2191–2194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053
