Determination of Reference of concentration (RFC) from Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Exposure in the community Based on Weight in Industrial Area in Medan Indonesia

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless, highly toxic, flammable and rotten egg smelled gas. This gas can cause adverse effects on health, especially in the respiratory tract. Low concentrations of H2S for long periods of time can cause permanent effects such as respiratory problems, headaches and chronic cough. Hydrogen sulfide can be formed naturally and from the process of human activity. One of these human activities is the process of processing animal food and marine products in Medan Industrial Area which produces exhaust gas in the form of H2S gas. The aim of the study was to calculate the value of RfC from H2S exposure in communities in Industrial Area in Medan, Indonesia. This is an observational cross-sectional study with quantitative manual data analysis method. The study sample was 52 residents of industrial estates at a radius of 300m and 52 residents at radius of 800m. Research variables included H2S concentrations in Medan Industrial Area, body weight, height, respiratory rate, length of day exposure time, body surface area, weight of white mice, body surface of white mice, highest dose of toxin without effect on experimental animals (NOAEL), factor Km in animal (Animal Km), factor Km in human (Human Km) and Reference of Concentration si (RfC). The result showed that H2S concentrations at a radius of 300 m was 0.022 ppm and at an radius of 800 m is 0.0064 ppm. This value is above the Threshold Limit Value according to ATSDR provision of 0,0005 ppm. Concentration of H2S RfC in this study was 0.001 mg/kg; which is smaller than that of released by EPA 2003. 11 The results of the RfC in this study is safe for humans. However, H2S gas around residential areas was close to NAB. This can increase at any time and can have a negative influence on public health. Therefore, control measures need to be carried out, including by installing additional air monitoring devices in several locations by waste management agencies. In addition, recording is also needed for all complaints of odor felt by the community, including nature, location, time and frequency of complaints. With these measures, air quality, exposure level, and health effects can be controlled