Quarry dust and noise pollution cause environmental and public health impacts in Tigray Ethiopia

Abstract Quarrying is an important economic activity in Ethiopia, yet it poses serious socio environmental and health challenges, particularly in areas with weak regulatory enforcement. This study investigated dust and noise pollution from quarry operations in the Mekelle Outlier of Tigray, Ethiopia. An integrated approach was applied, combining environmental monitoring, geospatial analysis (2000–2024, and socio economic surveys ( n = 105). Dust concentrations and noise levels were measured against, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Ethiopian standards. Quarrying activities caused substantial terrain modification, with excavation depths reaching − 27.61 m and overburden accumulation up to + 22.78 m. Dust concentrations among workers ranged from 35.25 to 41.34 mg/m³, while noise levels reached 89.4–99.3 dB, both exceeding international and national thresholds. Survey data revealed a high prevalence of self-reported health problems, including respiratory infections (28.6%), pneumonia (22.0%), and common cold (19.8%). The findings demonstrate that quarry operations in the study area are associated with significant environmental degradation and adverse health outcomes. Current practices are unsustainable, underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, improved occupational safety measures, and targeted public health interventions in quarry affected communities.