This thesis discusses the risk of SO2 exposure to the respiratory tract. SO2 exposurethrough inhalation can irritate the respiratory tract which triggers respiratory symptoms. SO2 is one of the gases emitted by the steel industry. People who live in industrial areas can be exposed to SO2 more often and experience health impacts.
This study aims to determine the level of risk and influence of SO2 exposure to respiratory tract symptomsin housewives living around the steel industry. This study uses the Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) approach to estimate the health risk in the area around the steel industry and uses the design of a cross-sectional study to illustrate the effect of intake SO2 on respiratory symptoms carried out in November - December 2019.
Samples in this research numbered 109 housewives obtained by proportional stratified random sampling. SO2 concentrations were measured at 9 points in 3 zones around the steel industry by the pararosanilin method and analyzed by spectrophotometer.
The results showed that Sukadanau Village has an RQ (Risk Quotient) ≤ 1. As many as 39,4% of housewives experience symptoms of respiratory tract disorders and obtained no influence of intake SO2 on respiratory symptoms. Recommendations that can be developed to carry out risk management in areas around the steel industry are monitoring SO2 concentrations on a regular basis so that SO2 remains at safe concentrations <0,201 mg/m3