Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop health impact assessment tools (HIA) specific to the roofing fiber cement industry. This study has been conducted in two phases. The first phase is a descriptive review and basis of the study. The second phase is the implementation and evaluation of HIA tools through pilot testing in a fiber cement factory. A cross-sectional study was utilized. Environmental samplings and spirometry measurements were also collected. In this study, the screening tools focused on risks and impacts on human health based on specific health determinants. This study employed the impacts on human risks into two-dimensions: health risk matrix of exposure rating and health effect rating. Health effect and exposure rating were determined and characterized based on health determinants. The exposure rating was described based on five categories: no health impact, minimal risk, moderate risk, high risk, and very high risk whereas the health effect rating was classified into different levels. The score has been determined based on the degree of health impacts. The health risk assessments have been estimated by hazard, homogenous exposure group, process, task then the potential health risks and the significance of those health risks categorized. The risk rating matrix is obtained by a combination of the potential health consequence of an identified health hazard at specified exposure levels and the likelihood of the hazard occurring. The health risk matrix score (HRM) was determined through the quantitative measurements on the health risk assessment. The affected populations in the near group (score = 20) have a HRM score slightly higher than the far group (score = 10), but the employees had a higher HRM score (score = 40) than both of the affected populations. The application of the health risk matrix rating score as a HIA tool for roofing fiber cement factories could be employed for quantitative risk assessment. However, further study is warranted. This study suggested that stakeholders and affected populations should be involved in all stages from the pre-step through the monitoring and evaluation stages.