Creative Research Journal for West Java Development

West Java Government has launched the CR-Journal (Creative Research) on March, 2016. As the first publication, we would like to thank to BP3IPTEK as the publisher of this journal and also to reviewers that have corrected the article for three times on the process of writing. We hope this article can give some informations to decision maker of West Java Province and also useful for others who want to read and study in the field of this research. The abstract of the article is attached here.

ABSTRACT

Xylene (dimetilbenzene) is a derivative of benzene with molecul formula C₆H₄(CH₃)₂ and grouped to aromatic organic compound with high toxicity. Xylene is widely used as a paint solvent, often inhaled by workers which can cause health problems both acute and chronic. Methyl Hippuric Acid (MHA) is a result of xylene processing by human body, then excreted in urine after passing through several processes. On observation of workshop workers with questionnaire was found that there were some exposure data at every time they worked: 0.042 to 4.447 ppm. By reference to the regulation of Labor and Transmigration Minister No.13/2011, the concentration of xylene found not exceed the threshold limit value 100 ppm. The TLV is 100 ppm. The results showed a relationship between xylene and MHA was a fairly strong with the value of r (correlation) 0.813. Concluded, greater concentration of xylene would increase MHA concentration so the workshop’s workers could be expressed as exposed to xylene. The workers have to use masks to prevent theirselves from another toxic chemicals in paints. The results could be used by West Java and Bandung City Government to release regulation to prevent informal workers in car workshop and people from xylene risk.

Keywords : Xylene, MHA, paint, correlation, exposure

ABSTRAK

Xylene atau dimetilbenzene adalah turunan benzene dengan rumus molekul C₆H₄(CH₃)₂ dan termasuk senyawa aromatik yang tinggi tingkat racunnya. Xylene banyak digunakan sebagai pelarut cat sehingga sering terhirup oleh pekerja bengkel yang dapat menimbulkan gangguan kesehatan akut dan kronis. Methyl hippuric acid (MHA) adalah hasil pengolahan xylene oleh tubuh yang dikeluarkan bersama urin. Observasi pada pekerja bengkel dengan kuesioner dan pengambilan sampel udara diperoleh data bahwa paparan xylene pada pekerja setiap kali mereka bekerja antara 0,042 dan 4,447 ppm. Mengacu pada Peraturan Menteri Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi No.13/2011, konsentrasi xylene yang ditemukan pada pekerja tidak melebihi nilai ambang batas (NAB) 100 ppm. NAB yang diperkenankan 100 ppm. Namun demikian, hasil penelitian menunjukkan hubungan yang cukup kuat antara xylene dan MHA dengan nilai r (korelasi) = 0,813. Disimpulkan, makin besar konsentrasi xylene makin besar pula konsentrasi MHA sehingga pekerja bengkel dapat dinyatakan terpapar xylene. Pekerja harus mengenakan masker untuk pencegahan dalam jangka panjang karena selain xylene, cat juga mengandung zat kimia berbahaya lainnya. Hasil penelitian ini bisa digunakan oleh pemerintah Provinsi Jawa Barat dan Kota Bandung untuk mengeluarkan peraturan yang melindungi pekerja bengkel pengecatan dan masyarakat di sekitarnya dari risiko xylene.

Kata kunci: Xylene, MHA, cat, korelasi, paparan