Suchergebnisse

Paraquat is the herbicide widely used at palm oil plantations, although usage it in some countries has been banned and restricted. Paraquat spraying was not appropriate procedure could be polluted the environment and lead to health disorders workers. Paraquat could enter the body through inhalation, dermal and ingestion, one of frequent routes through inhalation during spraying weeds in plantation areas. This study aimed was to analyze potential inhalation dose and Risk Quotient to workers at palm oil plantation. This research was a descriptive study with cross sectional design and analysis of environmental health risk methods. Airborne Paraquat residue was collected from 8 workers with occupational activity as a supervisor and sprayer. Airborne Paraquat residue was measured for 25 minutes during spraying by using personal air sampler at worker's breathing zone. Airborne Paraquat residue was detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with NIOSH 5003 methods. The average of airborne Paraquat residue was 0.0125 mg/m3, it values was less than the Threshold Limit Value (0.05 mg/m3) of American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists, but the average of potential inhalation dose was 0.001 mg/kg/day for worker's weight 55 kg, it was value higher than Acceptable Operator Exposure Limit (0.0005 mg/kg/day) and the calculation of Risk Quotient (RQ) was more than 1, it conditions was unacceptable for workers. Although, airborne Paraquat residue were safe, but potential inhalation dose and Risk Quotient (RQ) were unsafe for workers, cause it can be lead to lung function disorders. Therefore, for further studies it was necessary to assess the lung function of workers and the use of personal protective equipment must be completely and standard.

Food provider at university is one of places that needs to implement standards of food hygiene and sanitation (FHS). This study aimed to evaluate and analyze practices of FHS based on Regulation of Health Minister No. 1098 of 2003 and best practices in six food providers at University X. This study used mixed method evaluation with sequential explanatory design through two stages. Stage I was in forms of assessment on six food providers, food handlers and laboratoryexamination on food and beverage samples as well as on eating utensils. Stage II was in form of focus group discussion (FGD) to deepen findings atstage I. Results of this study showed that 100% of food providers had not yet met the government's regulation. As much as 67% of eating utensils and 83% of food were contaminated with bacteria. Based on food handler examination results, 100% of food handlers were not yet to get medical checkups and training. FGD results indicated that findings at stage I were associated with a lack of knowledge among food handlers and the absence of special unit to oversee FHS at campus. In conclusion, six food providers in the study area have not met the regulation.

Water quality and quantity is always an important issue in lowland ecosystem of Banyuasin. Low domestic water supply sanitation is considered as having an important contribution on the high frequency of waterborne diseases in the area. The study aims at recording water borne diseases and the water quality in the lowland area of Banyuasin District. This field research was conducted using a cross-sectional method. Total samples were 210 households in Telang which were observed during July through August 2011. Six water samples were measured for their physical and chemical properties, in addition to 1 water sample for bacteriological test. All respondents used river water for sanitary purposes and 41.4% of them also have dug wells. Those who used river water for sanitation, 68.5 % also consumed purified water for drinking purpose. All water samples are acidic (pH 5,68-6,19) and contain high Iron (1-26,269 Mg/L). Water has yellowish color. The major disease are diarrhea and skin diseases. In the lowland area with the estuarine ecosystem water quality and scarcity are serious problems. This in turn causes the high prevalent of waterborne diseases such as diarea. Low level of education and socio-economic status make it difficult for the local people to overcome these problems. Outside intervention especially government so as to improve the condition is needed