Btex Regulasi Indonesia
Btex Regulasi Indonesia
Btex Regulasi Indonesia
11; 2018
ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744
Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education
Received: August 3, 2018 Accepted: October 6, 2018 Online Published: October 25, 2018
doi:10.5539/gjhs.v10n11p188 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v10n11p188
Abstract
Benzene is a colorless liquid that can evaporate rapidly in air and slightly dissolved in water. Exposure of benzene
to the body has a very adverse impact on health. The aims of this research were to know benzene risk characteristic
or RQ, and safe concentration of benzene exposure in a workshop environment. This research was observational,
cross-sectional design with a population of 7 workers of the motor industry in Surabaya. The benzene exposure in
the workplace was measured by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Data analysis was
done by using quantitative data. Maximum benzene intake received by workers was 0.1837 mg/kg/day. RQ on
average workers more than 1 (> 1), with the highest RQ of 22.673. The highest safe concentration of workers was
3.9 mg/m3 and the lowest safe concentration was 0.4 mg/m3. The concentration of benzene exposure in the motor
industry showed was above the threshold limit. According to the regulation of Manpower and Transmigration
Ministry No 13 the year 2011, RQ for benzene showed a high-risk impact for workers, the smallest safe
concentration for the worker was 0.4 mg/m3.
Keywords: benzene, motor workshop, RQ, safe concentration
1. Introduction
Recently, globalization is an era that moves in the scope of the world because it increases industrial activity,
transportation, and trade. In 2012, the number of motor vehicles (land transportation) in Indonesia was about
94.373.324 units (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2012). Fuel Oil (BBM) is one of the main energy sources in
transportation usage. Premium, Pertamax, and Solar are the most widely used types of fuel oil. The Ministry of
Energy and Mineral Resources recorded fuel consumption in Indonesia reached about 46 million kiloliters
(Gasoline, Solar, and Kerosene) (Ministry of Finance, 2014). The growth in the number of motor vehicles is
driving the increasing use of fuel oil (Hasan, Mahlia, & Nur, 2012). This change also resulted in increased labor
requirements. Changes to the sector must be balanced with the improvement of the occupational health of workers.
According to the National Environment Committee (KNLH), the use of this fuel oil has an adverse impact on the
environment and health. Not just emissions of gas resulted from disposal of motor vehicles, but also direct
exposure to fuel oil vapors may have negative health effects (Priangkoso, 2010). The harmful effects of gasoline
mostly come from the elements of metal (lead) and chemicals contained therein, in particular, the BTEX (benzene,
ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene) compounds, which are present in small quantities. Inlet point of exposure to
fuel oil fumes most commonly occurring through the nose or inhalation/inhalation (Rahman et al., 2008). Benzene
is a colorless liquid that can evaporate rapidly in air and slightly dissolved in water (Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry, 2007). Benzene can be found in air, water, and soil which can come from industrial and
natural sources. Most benzene can be inhaled in the air by people in about 60 parts of benzene per million parts of
water (ppm) (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2007). Exposure to benzene and carbon
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monoxide from fuel oil can cause adverse effects on the blood system, respiratory function and thyroid function
(Sahb, 2011). Narcosis as a headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, tremors, and loss of consciousness is a
result of acute exposure to benzene. In addition, can also cause eye irritation and skin. As for the effects of chronic
exposure to benzene is can cause cancer (World Health Organization, 2010). Inhaled benzene can cause death
(Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2007). Various polymer sensing materials have been
developed which aim to monitor the level of benzene in the air due to high benzene toxicity (Spinelle, Gerboles,
Kok, Persijn, & Sauerwald, 2017).
Risk assessment research on Indonesia still limited especially on the standard safe concentration of benzene in a
high-risk population. So, the aim of this research is to know the risk characteristics or Risk Quotient (RQ) of
benzene on the workers and to know the safe concentration of benzene exposure in a workshop environment.
2. Method
2.1 Research Design
This research design is the cross-sectional and descriptive approach.
2.2 Population and Sample
The study participants were workers from the workshop (n = 7) of AHASS CV Win Motor Surabaya. Their age
ranged from 20 years to 37 years. New workers were excluded.
2.3 Variables
The research variables were the concentration of benzene exposure in the workplace, the rate of respiration of the
worker, the length of work per day, the frequency of work each year, the worker's weight, the benzene intake of the
worker, the working period, the Risk Quotient (RQ), and the safe concentration on the worker.
2.4 Measurements
Primary data was obtained by filling in questionnaires about the experience of exposure to benzene, duration of
exposure, age, and years of service. Data on height and weight of respondents was collected by observation on
passive participation. The benzene exposure in the workplace was measured by Gas Chromatography-Flame
Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and helped by experts from the technical implementation unit of occupational safety
and health (UPTK3) East Java Province. The work period of the respondent was categorized into 2; working
period less than 6 months and working period more than or equal to 6 months. The frequency of respondent's
working period was obtained from the questionnaire. Safe concentration was calculated by the formula of intake
and RQ. The formula used to determine the intake of benzene toxin in the body is (Rohim, 2014):
Intake of benzene =
Description:
C = benzene concentration (mg/m3)
R = respiration rate (m3/h)
tE = exposure time (hour/day)
fE = average exposure in a year (day/year)
Dt = exposure duration (years)
Wb = weight (kg)
Tavg = average of benzene exposure (non-carcinogen)
= 30 years x 365 days / year
It is known that the exposure concentration (C) is 8.063 mg/m3, the exposure frequency (Fe) is 288 days/year, the
average time period (tavg) is 365 days and the reference dose (RfC) for benzene is 0.03 mg/kg/day.
Meanwhile, the formula used to find out the RQ is (Rohim, 2014):
RQ =
The risk characteristics are intended to determine whether a toxin exposure has a risk or not to the human body.
Risk quotient (RQ) is the result of a comparison between the intake value and the reference dose of a Reference of
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Concentrate (RfC) exposure. RQ was derived from the calculation of intake (I) received by an exposed individual
with a reference dose (RfC). Intake was obtained by calculating the multiplication of the concentration of risk
agent (C), inhalation rate (R), exposure time (tE), exposure frequency (fE), duration of exposure in the year (Dt).
Then, the result was divided by multiplying the individual body weight (Wb) and the average time period (tavg).
RfC is the reference concentration, which is the value of non-carcinogenic quantitative toxicity as an estimate of
daily exposure dose that has no adverse health effects with the lifetime duration of exposure (Sahb, 2011).
Lastly, the formula used to calculate the C safe is (Rohim, 2014):
C Safe =
2.5 Analysis
Data analysis was conducted analysis manually to determine the safe concentration of benzene exposure to
workers.
3. Results
3.1 Concentration of Benzene
Measurements of benzene levels were performed at the study sites in the repair section (workshop). Based on Table
1, the result of measurement of benzene level in the repair section (workshop) is 8,601 mg/m3.
3.2 Characteristics of Respondents
Table 1. Length of work, weight of workers and occupational exposure per day
No. Caracteristics Frequency Percentage (%) Total
<6 3 43.00
1. Length of Work (Month) 7 (100%)
≥6 4 57.00
30-40 1 14.30
41-50 0 0
2. Weight (Kg) 51-60 4 57.00 7 (100%)
61-70 1 14.30
71-80 1 14.30
4–8 7 100.00
3. Long Exposure (Hour) 7 (100%)
> 8 -12 0 0
Based on Table 2, the working period of 57.00% workers was more than or equal to 6 months. It can be seen that
the weight of workers was mostly at the 51-60 kg group with 4 respondents (57 %). The highest weight was 75 kg
and the lowest weight was 38 kg, and table 2 that shows the distribution of working hours per working day, it is
known that the category of long exposure was the most in the category of 4–8 hours a day as many as 7 respondents
(100%).
3.3 Respiration Rate
Based on the calculation of respiration rate on workers, it is known that the highest rate of respiration of workers
was 15.9827 m3/hour, while the lowest rate of respiration of workers was 12.3792 m3/hour. Average respiration
rate of workers was 14.3275 m3/hour.
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2007).
Benzene can enter the body through the digestive tract, lungs or skin (EPA). When exposed to high levels of
benzene, about half of the benzene inhaled passes through the lining of the lungs and into the bloodstream (Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2007). With a high concentration of benzene in a short exposure with a
range of hundreds of ppm can cause confusion, tremor, headaches, and unconsciousness. While continuous
exposure with low concentrations can cause blood-related diseases such as excessive bleeding, anemia, and a
decrease in the body's immune response. In addition, benzene can also cause acute blood cancer or myeloid anemia
because it is carcinogenic (Cenonus Energy Health & Safety, 2015). This study could contribute as one of the
research on risk assessment topics which still limited in Indonesia especially focus on the standard of benzene
concentration at motor workshop place. The study also limited in a number of sampling, require improvement in
method design (not just cross-sectional but also in case-control, cohort or experiment design), and further research
is required to acknowledge benzene risk assessment in the motor workshop.
5. Conclusion
Majority worker at AHASS CV Win Motor Workshop shows concentration of benzene exposure still under the
Threshold Limit Value (TLV) according to the regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Ministry No 13 the
year 2011 that measured the concentration of the three points and the average measurements. RQ score shows
more than 1 (RQ >1), which means that the level of contamination of benzene in the work area of AHASS CV Win
Motor Workshop is still included in the health risk category. The safe concentration for workers in Motor
Workshop was 0,4 mg/m3. The longest safe duration for workers was 11 years.
Acknowledgments
Appreciation giving to Fitria, Wulan Meidikayanti, and Fathimatul Tualeka for contributing in the editing process.
The authors also would like to thank the rector of Airlangga University. The authors would like to acknowledge
Motor Workshop in Surabaya, East Java Indonesia.
Competing Interests Statement
The authors declare that there are no competing or potential conflicts of interest.
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