POLLUTION CONTROL GUIDELINES

(FOR SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES)

NO. 2 - SAW MILLS

Central Environmental Authority

Parisara Piyasa
104, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha
Battaramulla
Sri- Lanka

Central Environmental Authority

Telephone No: 872415, 872263, 872606
Fax No: 01-872605 Ministry of Forestry & Environment
2001
Pal.
No. 2 - Saw Mills

CEA Library

11 in in
07138R
Pollution Control Guidelines

No 2 - Saw Mills

Prepared for the

Central Environmental Authority
by the Environmental Resources Management Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.
With financial Assistance/ from the
World Health Organization (WHO)

1997/2001
 First edition 2001

c e
N - 0 17138

C hsITj
No. |

Published by the
Central Environmental Authority
Parisara Piyasa
104, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha
Battaramulla
Sri-Lanka

Telephone: 01-872415,01-872263,
01-872606
Fax: 01-872605

This document may be reproduced in full

or in part, with due acknowledgement to
the Central Environmental Authority
 Preface

During the last two decades, rapid industrial development and population
growth have contributed to the deterioration of the environmental quality in
Sri Lanka.

In recent past, the Central Environmental Authority has initiated a number

of important measures towards sustainable development by protecting,
managing and improving our environment. Most notable legislative
measures were the amendments to the National Environmental Act No 47 of
1980 which was subsequently amended by Act No 56 of 1988 and Act No
53 of 2000 reaching the basic goals of industrial pollution control in Sri
Lanka.

The Central Environmental Authority has been entrusted with the task of
preparing industrial pollution control guidelines for the industrial sectors.
With an objective of fulfilling this tasks, industrial pollution control
guidelines were prepared in 1992 for the eight high polluting major
industrial sectors i.e. Natural Rubber Industry. Concentrated Latex Industry,
Desiccated Coconut Industry. Leather Industry, Dairy Industry. Textile
Processing Industry, Pesticide Formulating Industry. Metal Finishing
Industry.

The following nine guidelines have now been prepared to cover the small
scale industrial sectors in Sri Lanka.

No. Paddy Mills

No, 2 Saw Mills
No. 3 Metal Crushers
No. 4 Garages and Service Stations
No. 5 Lime Kilns
No. 6 Coconut Shell Burning Industries
No. 7 Grinding Mills
No. 8 Coir Mills
No. 9 Bakeries
The main purpose of the preparation of these guidelines was to assist Local
Governmental Authorities and industrialists in industrial pollution control to
meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Licensing scheme.

These nine guidelines have been prepared by the Environmental Resources

Management Lanka (Pvt) Limited for the Central Environmental Authority
with financial assistance of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This document contains pollution control guidelines for Saw Mills.

Thilak Hewawasam
Chairman
 CONTENTS

Page
1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Process description 2

3.0 Waste generation and environmental impacts 3

4.0 Mitigatory measures for environmental pollution 5

5.0 Occupational health & safety 10

6.0 Reference to current law 10

7.0 Conclusions and recommendations 12

8.0 Sources of information and analytical facilities 13

9.0 Sri Lankan standards for discharge o f pollutants 15

1.0 Introduction
Saw milling is a primary wood industry. The capital required for
saw milling industry is low in comparison to capital required for
other primary wood industries such as for plywood and paper
production. Saw milling industry is the largest user of round wood
in Sri Lanka.
Saw mills are mostly owned by families and small trade
organizations, as it is possible to start a sawmill with simple
machinery and minimal investment of capital.
Saw milling industry produces raw materials for many other
industries. The main end users are activates in construction work,
joinery work, and furniture manufacturing Work etc. The end users
in Sri Lanka are identified as follows. (FSMP 1994)

Construction and joinery 75%

Furniture , 15%
Others 10%

The important factors, which determine the cost of sawn timber

production, are cost of logs, loss in conversion and cost of sawing.
The cost of logs in Sri Lanka is very high since wood is scarce.
Today we have importing of logs to the country due to this
scarcity.

The saw milling industry in Sri Lanka is wide spread throughout the
country as in other developing countries. There is a clear
concentration of establishments of various sizes in Colombo area,
especially in Moratuwa which has a long history of carpentry.

Structure of furniture industry

Type "Number of plants Sawn wood consumption
m'/annum
Small scale (less 8500 5000
than 5 employees)
Medium scale 600 60000
Large scale ( over 10 15000
100 employees)
Source: Demand for industrial forest product and round wood
Table -1

I
2.0 Process Description
The process carried out in saw mills, which lead to significant
environmental impacts, are illustrated in fig.l

Unit Process Environmental

Impacts

Logs 1

r
Primary sawing | p Saw Dust
Noise
• Vibration
f
Sawmill J

Sawn timber 1
r
^ Saw dust
Secondary sawing 1 Noise

\\ Vibration

Final product
(Sawn timber)

Fig. 1

2
3.0 Waste Generation and Environmental impacts

3. J Dust pollution.

Air pollution is the presence of solids, liquids, or gasses in the

ambient air in amounts, which are injurious or detrimental to man,
animal, plants or property.

The off cuts and sawdust are the wastes generated at a sawmill. The
generation of sawdust would be around 10% of processed volume
basis. In saw milling industry poor saw milling techniques cannot
be justified under any circumstances when logs are valuable species
such as Teak, Mahogany etc. the waste of which in economic terms
is colossal. Proper saw milling practices help to conserve natural
resources as they reduces waste.

Generally in Sri Lanka sawdust is dumped in the direct

surroundings of the mills and bumed. Huge piles of smoldering saw
dust are the results. Using valuable land areas to dump saw dust is
an uneconomic use of land available, especially in an area where
land values are very high. The degradation period of sawdust is
relatively long and thus the dumping sites will be unsuitable for
construction purposes or for any cultivation purposes. A more
serious problem will be created if sawdust is disposed into natural
water bodies. This will result in high bottom deposits, emission of
bad odours, anaerobic conditions at the lower levels and
discoloration of water. Heaps of sawdust are a source of aesthetic
pollution. This is taking place with respect to Bolgoda Lake and
Lunawa lagoon in the Moratuwa area.

The danger from inhalation of dust or fume is best appreciated

when the function of the lungs is considered in detail. The basic
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lung area is approximately 80m and just as this provides an
excellent surface area to introduce medication to body, it is also a
very receptive area for foreign bodies. The average lung capacity is
approximately six litres and the average factory worker breathes
between 8 and 10m2 of air in an eight- hour day. If the
concentration of the pollutant therefore is one gram per cubic meter,
a factory worker may inhale 10 grams of dust during eight- hour
day. Much of this will be trapped in the body's defense mechanism,
the nasal hair, and by deposition on the mucus-lined walls of the
 the nasal hair, and by deposition on the mucus-lined walls of the
primary bronchi, the afrways feadlrtg to the lungs. A srgnrncam
percentage however could reach the lower lung and become trapped
there. When the dust concentration is high and subsequent lung
contamination is great, the sacs at the bottom of the lung, known as
the alveoli, become closed after sometime by a process known as
fibrosis.
Fine particles may cause damage to the external body, for example
irritation or abrasion of the skin and eyes. Inhalation of dust in case
of timber mills can introduce various chemical residues
contaminated in timber and can also result in respiratory problems
like asthma and allergies.

Dust is a nuisance to the neighbors in term of setting on wells and

vegetation. Wind action causes dust movements in the
neighborhood. I f the nuisance continues it will create an
unsatisfactory relationship with neighbors.

3.2 Noise pollution

The sawing process generates noise. The major contributor to the

noise pollution is the high frequency sound emanating from the saw
during the sawing action. The noise generated from the driving
machinery is relatively low.

Noise pollution is an adverse environmental impact and a work

place occupational problem. Depending on the level of noise the
damage can be acute or chronic. Acute damage may occur to
eardrum, but this occurs only with very loud sudden noises. More
serious is the chronic damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear.
Prolonged exposure to noise of a certain frequency pattern may
cause either temporary hearing loss, which disappears in a few
hours or days, or permanent loss. Loud sounds affect the circulatory
and nervous systems, although the results are difficult to assess. It
Interferes with speech, radio and T.V listening, disturbs sleep and
relaxation, affects performance as reduced work precision and
increased reaction time, causes annoyance, irritation and is a public
nuisance.'

4
4.0 Mitigatory measures for environmental pollution

4.1 Saw Dust

4.1.1 Minimization ofsaw dust generation

• Use low gauge small diameter saws to saw small diameter logs
rather than using high gauge large diameter saws.
• Practice efficient and adequate maintenance o f machinery and
good saw maintenance.
• The log should be tightened on each side of the log not more
than 0.5 metres from the ends to prevent lateral movement o f
the log.
• The log should be held firmly by logs on the carriage; the
number of spikes depends on the length of the log.
• The height of the spike should be at least 3/4 of the log.
• Avoid bad sawing practices such as poor log alignment and
improper log turning.
• Try to use saws that minimize losses in conversion e.g. use of
band saws instead o f circular saws.
4.1.2 Proper disposal ofsawdust.

It is proposed that sawdust be burned in a properly constructed

burning device with a stack as instructed below and shown in the
figure 4.1 and 4.2 Sawdust should not be disposed of in a manner
where it would get into natural waterways and cause pollution.

However burning o f sawdust is an unsatisfactory solution. There are

many options available although they need to be developed. Some
examples are given in the following table 2.
 Option Applicability Assistance/Information
Electricity generation Group of sawdust generators can get together Energy Conservation Fund
and efficiently generate energy
As fuel for domestic stove A simple stove can be made easily and packed NERD Center
sawdust will bum for 4-5 hours.
Industrial Combustion Used as a fuel in the wood drier
Crematorium Low cost crematorium which is cheaper when NERD Center
compared to LP gas operated plants
Bakery Ovens This can be used in a small bakery. NERD Center
Considerably reduces the energy cost
Vegetable Dryer Can be used to dry vegetables which are in NERD Center
excess in the harvesting season
Briqueting Refuse derived fuel pellets result in this
process which can be used in solid fuel fired
units
Agricultural Use As animal litter and it gives cleaner eggs
Mushroom culture Sawdust shows to be a good medium for IDB
mushroom culture
Composting Saw is a good compost provider
Board production MDF, Fiber board and partition board etc.

Table 2
Construction of the burning device

• Assess the volume of sawdust generation per day.

• The capacity of the burning device should be equal to the
volume of the dust generated per day.
• Any excess sawdust should be stored in a covered building and
burnt in the facility when possible.
• Build a tapering chimney 30 feet high out of 225mm (9inch)
brickwork. The top width of the chimney should be around
0.6m while the bottom width should be equal to the width of
the outer wall of the kiln.
• The stack also could be constructed with metal, (using metal
sheets or empty tar barrels, but such use will have a short life
span i f not properly maintained)
• The stack height depends on the site conditions and is intended
for the proper dispersion o f smoke emitted during burning of
sawdust. The minimum height can be 30 feet or 2.5 times the
height of nearby building ( i f there is any) which could be
affected from the smoke from the incinerator.
• Resulting ash can be used as a soil conditioner or should be
disposed after mixing with sand.

4.2 Mitigation of the impacts from the noise

• Construct high boundary walls around the premises.

• Use noise absorbing materials such as gypsum boards in order
to absorb noise
• Locate the industry away from noise sensitive areas such as
schools, hospitals etc.
• Locate the motors in sound proof housings.
• Sawing and other noise generating activities should be
restricted to the day time preferably to the time period from
6.00 am to 6.00 p.m.

7
 PROPOSED SAWDUST BURNING FACILITY

Stack
3cr

/
Feed Port

/
Ash Removal Port

Not to Scale Figure 4.2

8
"PROPOSED SA W T J U ^ B U S I N G F ^ C I I ^

30"

A s h Removal Port

9
5.0 Occupational health and safety
"Health is a state of complete, physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity"
World Health Organization (WHO)

It is important that the 'work environment' is properly maintained.

Workforce education is vital for this purpose. The benefits of this
type of an approach would result in overall positive environmental
management by the system concerned.
Steps to be followed are given below,

• The health and safety requirements of the workers should

conform to those prescribed in the Factories Ordinance.
• Provide workers with dust masks that can filter the fine dust
• Provide workers with earplugs
• Insist that workers should wear the protective equipment
• Educate workers on the importance of work safety.

6.0 Reference to current law

Industrial establishments cannot operate without having appropriate

permission from relevant local authority. It is necessary initially to
obtain siting and planning permission and then relevant approval
from the local authorities. The functions if improperly executed,
can be subjected to prosecution under the public nuisance
ordinance. It is important that owners plan and run industrial
institutions accordingly

PUBLIC NUISANCE

" Public nuisance is an act or illegal omission, which causes any

common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people
in general who live in or occupy property in the vicinity"
e.g. Noise, Air or water pollution etc.
Discharging effluent into a natural waterway endangering public
health or
Quarrying activities using explosives etc. in a manner that
endangers neighbours or the public.

10
Thus proper adherence to guidelines is important.

In respect of public nuisance, whether it is caused by air pollution,

water pollution, sound pollution or other means the police will act
as follows

• Prosecute the offenders under Section 261 of the Penal Code

for causing a public nuisance.
• File motion in the Magistrate's Court under Section 98 of the
Criminal Procedure Code to abate the public nuisance.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LICENSE (EPL)

It is an offence for any industry to discharge, deposit or emit waste

into the environment without an environmental protection license
issued by the Central Environmental Authority or in some cases by
the local authority.
The public may complain about Environmental Protection License
violations to the Police, local authority or the Central
Environmental Authority.

Region Site EPL

Clearance
North Local Provincial
Western Authority Environmental
Province Authority
Other Local CEA
Provinces Authority

Thus the industry should be established away from any primary

residential zones and all relevant constructions should conform to
the zoning plan and existing rules and regulations of the relevant
local authority.

The owners should comply with the rules and instructions or

conditions laid down by the CEA and the respective local authority.

11
7.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
Maintain the saws in time and adopt good saw doctoring
practices.
Raise the skill levels of the sawers and saw doctors.
Use thin kerf saws, use of accurate saw guards and provide
devices for log turning and alignment.
' The log should be an integral part of the carriage and play or
vibration should not be allowed.
• Lateral displacement of the log should not be allowed.
• Increase managerial skills of managers.
• Encourage the employers who are interested to the
environmentally friendly works.
• A l l factory owners should apply for the environmental
protection license using the questionnaire that has been
prepared by the CEA. The questionnaires could be obtained
from the local authority of the area or the CEA.
• Depending on the degree of pollution, only those applications
coming under Low Polluting Industries/ Processes should be
received by the local authority.
• A license is valid only for a period of 3 years from its date
of issue. The owner of the industry should apply for renewal of
license to the relevant local authority, one month before the
expiry date.
• The EPL issued should not be considered as an approval for
the industry to be operated at a particular location. It is only a
permit to discharge effluent/emissions or emitting o f noise
levels according for stipulated standards.
• Written approval (i.e. trading or operating license) of the
relevant local authority should be obtained for operational
purposes.

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8.0 Sources of information and analytical facilities

• Central Environmental Authority(CEA),

Parisara Piyasa,
104, Robert Gunawardena Mawatha,
Battaramulla.
Tel - 872415,872263, 872606

• Relevant Local Authority

• Local Environmental Development Officers

• Industrial Development Board of Ceylon (IDB),

615, Galle Road,
Katubedda,
Moratuwa.
Tel-612603

• National Engineering Research and Development Center

(NERD),
2P/17B, I D B ,
Industrial Estate,
Ekala, Ja-ela
Tel-236384, 236307

• University O f Sri Jayawardenepura,

Department O f Forestry And Environmental Sciences,
Gangodawila,
Nugegoda
Tel-854685

• Energy Conservation Fund,

Room No: 2-203,
BMICH,
Colombo-07.
Tel-682534

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Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) -(former-CISIR),
363,Bauddhaloka Mawwatha,
Colombo-07.
Tel-693807-9, 698621

National Building Research Organization (NBRO),

99/1, JawattaRoad,
CoIombo-05.
Tel-588946,501834

Industrial Services Bureau-North Western Province,

No: 141,
Kandy Road,
- 037- Kurunegala
Tel 23721/2

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 9.0 Sri Lankan standards for discharge of pollutants
P. 1 Maximum permissible Noise Levels at Boundaries.

Equivalent Continuous
Areas Sound pressure level (dB)
Day time Night time
Rural residential Area 55 45
Urban residential Area 60 50
Noise sensitive Area 50 45
Mixed residential 63 55
Commercial Areas 65 55
Industrial Area 70 60

9.2 Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Averaging Standard Measurement

time ug/m 3
Method**
Suspended Annual 100
Particulate 24 hr 300 Hi-volume
Matter 8hr 350 Sampling
(SPM) 3hr 450 and Gravimetric
I hr 500

> 03 hour average - 03 consecutive hourly

> 08 hour average - 06 hourly average

> 24 hour average
> Monthly average
> Quarterly average
> Yearly average
- 18 hourly average
- 21 Daily average
- 03 consecutive monthly
Average each quarter
- 09 monthly average each quarter
Least 02 monthly average each quarter

> By wet chemistry methods or by automated analyzers

Note These standards are to be reviewed and revised as

necessary, based on the results o f Ambient Monitoring
Program.

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