Health risk analysis of air pollutant exposure on children’s lung function in industrial area of Bandung Regency

¹ Enviromental Engineering Master Program, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung
² Enviromental Management Technology Research Group, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung 40132, Jawa Barat 40132
³ Centre of Environmental Studies ITB, Jl. Sangkuriang No. 42A, Bandung Jawa Barat 40135

^* Corresponding author: irchawinda05@gmail.com

Abstract

Industrial areas are considered to have a higher risk of air pollution impact, especially for children living close to the industry, as children breathe in more air per body weight unit than adults. This study aims to analyse the risk of exposure to ambient pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO, SO₂, and O₃) in children and factors that affect lung function disorders. This study was based in the Dayeuhkolot sub-district of Bandung Regency. A cross-sectional study was conducted on school-aged children (9-12 years old) living in an industrial close to Bandung Regency. Parents or guardians were asked to complete a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms to estimate the exposure to ambient air pollutants risk. Air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, CO, SO₂, and O₃) were measured using a portable Air Quality Monitoring System (AQMS), the lung function was measured by Spirometer MSA99, and non-cancer risk (HQ) was determined using the human health risk assessment model. The average results of ambient air pollutants measurement concentration are PM_2.5 (45,59 ± 15,48 µg/m3), PM10 (75,56 ±25,93 µg/m3), SO2 (9,39 ± 6,27 µg/m3), CO (17,38±6,35 µg/m3), O3 (12,58 ± 3,12 µg/m3) and NO₂ (15,86 ± 3,39 µg/m3). All pollutants concentrations are still below ambient air quality standards of PP NO.22/2021. With an average non-carcinogen Health Index (HI) of 0,48 ± 0,29. A lung function of total of 35 children were collected, with an average FVC: 1,59 L and FEV1.0: 1,42 L; there were 17 children with restrictive, 5 children with obstructive, and 1 combined lung disorder. The most significant factors of respiratory disorders were gender, height, respiratory complaint, and passive smoking symptoms (p < 0.05).