The Association between Levels of Mercury in the Hair with Proteinuria on Scavengers in Cipayung Landfill Area, Depok City, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Mercury is a toxic contaminant, but its existence until now continues to be discarded into the waters, soil, and atmosphere. One of the organs sensitive to the type of heavy metals in the kidneys. One sign of symptoms of chronic kidney disease is the presence of proteinuria. This research aims to do the association between mercury levels in hair and the incidence of proteinuria on the scavenger in Cipayung landfill area. This research uses cross-sectional study design. The research sample is 85 people scavenger. The statistic test used is a chi-square test. A scavenger with a risk of exposure to mercury (? 1 ppm) by 10.6%. The maximum rate of mercury in the hair of the respondent is 2,306 ?g/g. As many as 67.1% of respondents experienced proteinuria symptoms. There is a significant association between mercury in hair and proteinuria on the scavenger around Cipayung landfill area (P-value 0.002). Living and working near areas of high pollution have the potential to lower quality of life. Therefore, the local policymakers should aim to establish practices and procedures to reduce exposure to heavy metals from landfill area to improve the quality of life.