An Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Workers’ Ambient Exposure to Particulate Matter of 2.5 Microns or Less at a Concrete Batching Plant Putri Katania Rosela1, Achmadi Umar Fahmi1,*, Arminsih Ririn1, Ramdhan Doni Hikmat2 1Dept. of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia 2Dept. of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Umar Fahmi Achmadi, Prof, dr, M. Ph, PhD Professor in Environmental Health Study, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, 16424, Depok, Indonesia. Tel: (+62) 217863579; Fax: 7863479 e-mail: ufahmi@ui.ac.id, Mobile: +62816815794
Online published on 8 March, 2019. Abstract Background Workers in the concrete industry can be negatively affected by exposure to particulate matter. Particulate matter that is 2.5 microns in width or less (PM2.5) is one of the most dangerous air pollutants because it can be inhaled into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Objective This research analyzed workers’ health risks due to inhalation exposure to PM2.5 in at a concrete batching plant. Materials & Method The risk was calculated using an environmental health risk assessment method to determine the value of the risk quotient (RQ). The RQ was obtained by dividing the body exposure intake by the reference concentration. If the value of RQ>1, then risk management is necessary. This study calculated the risk of PM2.5 exposure for 59 workers. Samples were collected at 4 points in the plant for 1 hour using a high-volume air sampler; each point was sampled 2 times, once during the day and once at night. Results The average concentration of PM2.5 was 120 mg/m3 that means the concentration was above the quality standard. The calculation shows that PM2.5 is risky to workers in life time duration (25 years) with the average yield at least for the next 9 years because reach RQ=1, 096. Thus, risk management is required for the next 25 years by reducing PM2.5 concentration. Top Keywords PM2.5, Concrete Batching Plant, Environmental Health Risk Assessment. Top |