The Potential Human Health Risk By Ambient Air Pollution at Campus X of University Y in Yogyakarta

Abstract

Background: One of the enormous contributions of human activity in determining air quality from motorized vehicles activity in public places especially educational facilities. The Campus has the potential to be polluted by primary pollutants such as Particulate Matter (PM 10) and NO2. The results of monitoring ambient air quality by the DIY Provincial Environment Agency for parameters PM 10 and NO2 at several points representing the campus in Yogyakarta City showed that there was a significant increase in the concentration of NO2 and PM 10. This study aimed to determine the potential risk of ambient air pollution to human health especially high-risk population in university X. Methods: The type of study used observational analytic research. The collected samples were 6 samples of air pollutants from 3 station sampling site and subject sampling technique used purposive sampling with 32 respondents based on inclusion criteria were activities around the research location, a minimum work period of 1 year that consist of 22 parking attendants and 10 security guards. Results: Health complaints often suffered by respondents, namely chest pain by 29%, shortness of breath 32.3% and limb movements disorders 9.7%. The concentration of PM 10 and NO2 was found to be highest at the Station II (west parking basketball court) from 10:00 to 11:00 in the morning. The average concentration of PM 10 and NO2 was 152.67 μg /m3 and 45.83 μg /m3 respectively. Conclusion: PM 10 has exceeded the guideline standard of ambient air quality because of the vehicles activity. Hence, the potential risk to human strongly associated with long-term PM 10 exposure likely respiratory tract. The regulation needed to control air pollution through environmental monitoring, use the self-protection equipment, and routine medical check-up to the worker on campus. Keywords—air pollution, human health, particulate matter, university X