Document Type : SPECIAL ISSUE
Authors
1 Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, 90245 Jl. Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia
2 Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia
3 Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Center for Sulawesi and Maluku Eco-region Development Control, Makassar, Indonesia
4 Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Hasanuddin University, 90245 Jl. Tamalanrea, Makassar, Indonesia
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microplastic pollution has a far and wide presence in the surroundings. It can be encountered in the sea, wastewater, freshwater, food, air, and water sources. It is even present in refilled drinking water. This study aims to analyze environmental health dangers of the exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in refilled water sources in Tamangapa, Makassar City, Indonesia.
METHODS: This research is an observational study with an environmental health risk analysis. Sampling was conducted in Tamangapa, Makassar City, Indonesia. A total of 100 respondents were involved. Additionally, 20 samples of refilled drinking water were examined in the laboratory using the Fourier Transform Infrared test. Data analysis was carried out by calculating the intake and risk quotient values. If risk quotient > 1, it is considered necessary to carry out risk management.
FINDINGS: An average polyethylene terephthalate microplastic concentration of 0.0052 milligram per kilogram per day, an average intake rate of 210 milligrams per kilogram per day, an average exposure frequency of 350 days, an average exposure duration of 30 years, average intake exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics above 0.0004, and an average risk quotient value above 1 were obtained. If they build up in the body, microplastics may have harmful consequences, including organ inflammation, internal or external damage, and chemical alteration of plastics that have already entered the body.
CONCLUSION: Some measures of risk management that can be performed are to reduce the concentration of risk agents if the pattern and timing of consumption cannot be changed, reduce the consumption pattern (intake rate) if the concentration of risk agents and the time of consumption cannot be changed, and reduce the contact time if the risk agent concentration and consumption pattern cannot be changed.
Graphical Abstract
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Highlights
- Further findings found that polyethylene terephthalate type microplastics in refilled drinking water pose a risk to human health;
- The health risks posed by polyethylene terephthalate microplastics are inflammation and changes in immune processes;
- From the findings of microplastics in refilled drinking water, all samples obtained have different concentrations and are dominated by lines;
- These findings will serve as a reference for the local government in setting limits on microplastic contamination in refilled drinking water. Further findings found that polyethylene terephthalate type microplastics in refilled drinking water pose a risk to human health.
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