FACTORS RELATED TO MERCURY (Hg) POISONING IN UNLIMITED GOLD MINING (CATE) KAYELI VILLAGE, BURU REGENCY, MALUKU PROVINCE

Abstract

The gold mining activity without a permit (PETI) in Kayeli Village, Buru Regency is an activity that has been carried out since early 2011 by the surrounding community. PETI activities in Kayeli Village, Buru Regency are generally carried out between 2 rivers, namely the Masarete and Anahoni rivers. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with mercury (Hg) poisoning in unlicensed gold miners (PETI) in Kayeli Village, Buru Regency, Maluku Province. This study is an observational study with a cross sectional approach. The technique used in sample collection is proportional random sampling. The number of samples in this study was 45 people. The factors studied in this study were the type of miner's activity, length of work/day, working period/year, continuity of use of PPE, completeness of PPE, and amount of mercury use/day. The results showed that the use of mercury in mining was relatively high, ranging from between 0.25 ounces to 1 ounce. This can reduce the quality of the environment, especially rivers that are used as a dumping ground for mercury. In addition to having an impact on the environment, it also has an impact on the health of the miners and the surrounding community. The characteristics of the gold miners who were sampled in this study were mercury levels in river water at 3 sample points from 0.0004 to 0.0005 mg/l, which has exceeded the threshold value according to Permenkes No. 416/menkes/ Per/IX/1990, regarding river water. The mercury levels found in the miners' hair ranged from 0.0001 to 512.8651 with a toxicity level of 88.9%. The results of the chi-square analysis showed that 2 independent variables, namely length of work/day (p=0.003), and continuity of use of PPE (0.000) had a significant relationship with mercury poisoning in illegal gold miners (PETI).