ABSTRACT
This study aims to assess dermal and inhalation lead exposure levels among batik industry workers and evaluate noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with lead exposure. We investigate potential relationships between lead exposure (dermal average daily dose and inhalation exposure concentration) and the workers' blood hemoglobin levels (Hb), as well as their urinary ALA (u-ALA) concentrations. Additionally, we explore any possible associations between Hb and u-ALA levels among the workers and identify various factors influencing lead exposure levels. A total of 30 workers were recruited for the study. Interviews and exposure sampling were conducted to measure dermal and inhaled lead exposure. Sample analysis methods include XRF for exposure samples, spectrophotometry for u-ALA, and HiCN colorimetric for Hb. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessments, correlation analysis, as well as ANOVA for factors analysis, were performed. The average dermal exposure dose and inhalation exposure concentration of lead were 6.53 ± 3.2 ng/kg/day and 0.021 ± 0.015 µg/m3, respectively. Hazard Index (HI) values for all workers were below 1 (average: 0.372 ± 0.155), indicating no expected noncarcinogenic health effects due to lead exposure. The average Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) was (5.18 ± 3.84) × 10-8, significantly below acceptable limits. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between Hb and u-ALA (r = -0.519, p = 0.058 for male workers and r = -0.531, p = 0.034 for female workers), supporting their use as lead exposure biomarkers. The factors analysis demonstrated a significant impact of working conditions on inhalation exposure (p = 0.018), with outdoor workers experiencing lower lead inhalation. This research provides crucial insights into potential dangers faced by batik workers due to lead exposure, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions. The strong correlation between Hb and u-ALA indicates their combined effectiveness in detecting lead exposure, even at low levels. The study underscores the significance of outdoor work as a protective measure against inhaling heavy metals, such as lead, present in the air. The assessment of health risks associated with lead exposure in the batik industry lays the groundwork for informed decision-making and interventions to protect workers' well-being, particularly in informal sectors workplaces where health risks are often overlooked.
ABSTRACT
Batik is an Indonesian cultural heritage that has been designated by UNESCO. Batik industry is one of the industries that applies the synthetic dyes, beside natural ones which have long been used in producing Batik particularly in the modern production. The purpose of this research investigated heavy metals on workers in batik industry, which focuses on dermal detection as portal of entry. Samples of dermal intake of workers were examined with cross-sectional approach, while non-worker samples of resident living surrounding the industry were used as control. Dermal intake on workers and non-workers were examined using Patch Filter. Heavy metals content of the synthetic dyes used in the batik production and those in the patch filter which was attached to worker's skin during sampling period were analyzed using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method. The XRF measurement result of the synthetic dyes shows a detection of several heavy metals including Cu and Zn as the highest detected concentration, while the XRF measurement of the patch filter detects several heavy metal contents, which include Cu, Zn, Ni, Al, Fe and Pb. The highest detected heavy metal concentration found in the patch filter were Cu, Zn and Ni. Meanwhile, the highest detected heavy metal concentration of Pb was found in workers in the stamping process. The result indicates that highest Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe were found in workers of dyeing process compared to those in other processing stages.
