Impacts of pollutant emissions from brick kilns on environment and human health

Occupational risk factors associated with traditional kiln technology are major drivers of respiratory symptoms and illnesses. The current research was designed to evaluate prevalence of selected disease and respiratory symptoms among workers at two types of brick kilns. A proportionate stratified random-sampling-based survey was conducted during 2024-2025; a total of 250 adult men were assessed using a translated version of American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease (ATS-DLD) questionnaire. Results of the study show that 60% of Bull's Trench Kiln (BTK) workers had diabetes mellitus, while 40% were suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 44% reported chronic cough than Zig-Zag Kiln workers. A significant lower concentration of PM_2.5 (23 ± 0.27 µg/m³), PM₁₀ (27 ± 0.31 µg/m³) and Cu (0.025 ± 0.002 mg/kg) was observed in the environment of Zig-Zag Kilns (ZZKs). Adjusted generalized linear models (GLMs) with an identity link function showed that BTK workers in burning section had significantly lower FEV1/FVC (%) (B = -7.8; 95% CI: -8.9, -6.8; p < 0.001) than ZZK workers, reflecting a higher respiratory risk in traditional kilns. In conclusion, mandating ZZK adoption is a critical intervention to mitigate respiratory disease burden and heavy metal exposure among brick kiln workers.