P-111 HEAVY METALS BLOOD LEVEL ASSESSMENT AMONG WORKERS LIVING IN HEAVY METALS EXPOSED AREA IN JAVA ISLAND, INDONESIA

Abstract Introduction Lead polluted areas, attributed to the activities of collecting and recycling of used lead acid batteries, are widespread throughout Indonesia, including on Java Island. This presentation is an initial analysis of the study which is aimed to determine the blood levels of various heavy metals among workers residing in heavy metals polluted areas of Java, Indonesia. Methods The initial analysis of this cross-sectional study included a total of seventy male workers who reside in lead-exposed areas but work in a variety of industrial settings. Five milliliters of whole blood was drawn and stored using EDTA tube. The metal levels were measured by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were gathered using questionnaires. The Research Ethics Committee of Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Indonesia has approved the study in March 2023. Results & discussion There were 23,9% of respondents, aged between 20 and 62 years old, working directly exposed to heavy metals, as welders, smelting labor, and battery seller. Results showed that blood Lead, cadmium and chromium levels were significantly higher in the respondents working exposed to heavy metals with P<0,001, P=0,02, and P=0,03 consecutively. There was no significant difference for other metals such as Mangan, Arsenic, and Cobalt. No significant age-based differences were found in terms of all metals. Conclusion The occupational exposure remains a significant contributor to elevated heavy metal blood levels, regardless of their living area. This also showed the importance of workplace intervention to control the exposures.