Health Risk Assessment of Sulfuric Acid Exposure; A Case Study of Cup Lump Production of Rubber Farmers in Mueang District Rayong Province
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Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determination of rubber planters to sulfuric acid exposure, health risk assessment and study the knowledge, understanding and behavior of self-protection from exposure to sulfuric acid of rubber planters. The purposive selected sample was 120 rubber plantation farmers operating in Mueang district Rayong province which use the personal air sampling device connected to a silica gel adsorption tube following to the NIOSH method 7903. Health risks assessment associated with inhalation of sulfuric acid based on a Hazard Quotient (HQ) ratio according to the US EPA method. The results showed that the amount of concentration of sulfuric acid (TLV-TWA) that rubber planters receive in the process of mixing and dropping acid between 0.003 - 0.278 mg/m3 and 0.002 - 0.007 mg/m3 which does not exceed the NIOSH standards (1 mg/m3). The health risk assessment of rubber planters in the acidification process has an average risk ratio of 1.56, which is greater than 1; meaning that may cause health impacts or health risks of rubber planters. The knowledge and the understanding of safe operation was mostly low at 64.17 %. The self-protection behavior from sulfuric acid exposure of the rubber farmers was at a moderate level at 74.17 %. The results from this study could be used to planning and as a guideline for management, control and reduce the risk factors that occurring to be more efficient.
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References
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