Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10

Determination of Mercury (Hg) Risk Level (RQ) with Exposure through Fish and Drinking Water Consumption in Bulawa Sub-district, Bone Bolango District, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia

  • Author:
  • Tya Nisvi Rahmadhani1, Abdul Rohim Tualeka1,, Pudji Rahmawat2, Syamsiar S Russen3, Atjo Wahy3, Ahsa4, Siprianus Singga5
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 2030 to 2035

1Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health Faculty, Airlangga University, 60115, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

2Department of Development of Islamic Society, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel, Surabaya, Indonesia

3Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health Faculty, Hassanudin University, Makassar, Indonesia

4Faculty of Nurse, University of Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia

5Institutional Ethical Board of Health Polytechnic of Ministry Health, Kupang, Indonesia

*Corresponding Author: Abdul Rohim Tualeka, Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health Faculty, Airlangga University, Kampus C, Jalan Mulyorejo, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia, Phone: +62 81 333 519 732, Email: abdul-r-t@fkm.unair.ac.id

Online published on 23 December, 2019.

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a liquid metal element, silver at room temperature (25°C and has a melting and boiling points at of-38.870and 35.0°C, respectively. In traditional gold mining activities, Mercury (Hg) is used for gold purification (amalgamation). This study aims to determine the level of risk (RQ) in the community of Bulawa District who consume fish and drinking water sourced from the waters around traditional mining activities. This type of research is observational with an environmental health risk analysis design. Sampling was calculated using purposive sampling with the inclusion criteria by the researchers and resulted in 100 citizens. The results of the calculation of the level of Risk (RQ) of Mercury (Hg) consumption of fish and drinking water in the community of Bulawa District was 0.08 and 0.003, respectively, thus, RQ <1, meaning that it does not have an effect on health. However, this value can be used as a reference level of risk level (RQ) of Mercury (Hg) in people who consume fish and drinking water from the waters of traditional mining areas in Indonesia. Control measures can be taken to maintain the level of Risk (RQ) of Mercury (Hg) <1 through limiting the frequency of consumption and the rate of intake of fish and drinking water from surrounding waters. Warning signs of mercury contamination around mining waters can be also provided.

Keywords

Mercury (Hg), Mine, Risk Level (RQ), Society