Elanda Fikri, Yura Witsqa Firmansyah, Sapta Suhardono, Tri Kurniawati, Anshah Silmi Afifah, Adi Nugroho
Xylene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly detected in landfill gas emissions originating from synthetic and industrial waste residues. This study aims to assess the environmental health risks associated with xylene exposure among waste pickers at the Sarimukti Landfill, West Java, Indonesia. A total of 101 respondents participated through structured interviews to obtain exposure parameters. The assessment applied the Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) framework using the inhalation exposure route. The xylene concentration (52.13 mg/m3) was derived from the total non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) predicted by the LandGEM model, proportionally adjusted based on xylene’s fraction within the NMOC profile. Using this concentration, the daily intake and hazard quotient (HQ) were estimated under real-time and 30-year projection scenarios, with a reference concentration (RfC) of 0.2 mg/m3. The mean intake values were 5.851 ± 1.127 mg/kg/day (real-time) and 1.605 ± 0.312 mg/kg/day (30-year projection), resulting in mean HQs of 29.255 ±5.628 and 8.025 ± 1.561, respectively, both significantly exceeding the safety threshold (p < 0.000). Risk control calculations indicated that the safe exposure duration should not exceed 0.315 hours per session, with a weekly exposure frequency of no more than 11 times. Xylene exposure also poses indirect environmental risks through the formation of ground-level ozone, contributing to respiratory deterioration and climate change. These findings emphasize the urgent need for regulatory protection, exposure time management, and improved landfill gas monitoring systems to safeguard vulnerable populations. ©2025 The authors.
Department of Environmental Health, Politeknik Kementerian Kesehatan Bandung, Bandung, 40171, Indonesia; Department of Hospital Administration, STIKes Adi Husada, Surabaya, 60141, Indonesia; Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia; Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, 25131, Indonesia; Department of Furniture Production Engineering, Politeknik Industri Furnitur dan Pengolahan Kayu, Kendal Regency, 51371, Indonesia; Department of Health Information and Medical Record, Faculty of Health, Universitas Aisyah Pringsewu, Pringsewu Regency, 35372, Indonesia
