Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 123 views

Risk Analysis of Mercury Exposure to Neuropsychological Effects on Communities in the Gold Processing Site of Krueng Kalee Village, Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency in 2018

Introduction

Mercury Pollution: A Growing Concern in Gold Processing

Mercury is a heavy metal that is naturally found in the environment, but human activity, especially in the processing of gold, has contributed greatly to mercury pollution. One way of mercury pollutes the environment is through tailings waste from gold processing containing organic mercury, or better known as methylmercury. This substance can pollute well water and accumulate in fish, resulting in a harmful impact on health, especially in the nervous system. Neuropsychological effects are one of the serious effects of methylmercury exposure.

The Study's Objective

This study aims to analyze the risk of mercury exposure to neuropsychological effects on people living around the gold processing industry in Krueng Kalee Village, Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency. The study uses quantitative methods with a cross-sectional design, involving 95 respondents. The analysis was carried out by the bivariate method using the Mann Whitney test and the Spearman correlation test, as well as multivariate analysis with multiple linear regression tests.

Methodology

Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis

The study uses a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, which involves 95 respondents. The analysis was carried out by the bivariate method using the Mann Whitney test and the Spearman correlation test, as well as multivariate analysis with multiple linear regression tests. The study aims to identify the correlation between several factors, namely mercury levels in well water, the rate of drinking water intake, the duration of mercury exposure from drinking water, mercury levels in fish, the rate of fish intake, and the frequency of mercury exposure from fish with neuropsychological effects experienced by respondents.

Results

Correlation between Factors and Neuropsychological Effects

The results showed a significant correlation between several factors, namely mercury levels in well water, the rate of drinking water intake, the duration of mercury exposure from drinking water, mercury levels in fish, the rate of fish intake, and the frequency of mercury exposure from fish with neuropsychological effects experienced by respondents, with a p-value <0.005. Risk analysis shows that 10.53% of respondents are at risk of exposure to mercury from well water, while 91.6% of respondents are at risk of developing mercury from fish consumption.

Discussion

The Significance of Mercury Exposure to Neuropsychological Effects

From this finding, it can be concluded that there is a significant effect of mercury exposure to the neuropsychological effects of society. This indicates the need for more assertive prevention steps. It is recommended to the community, the gold miners, as well as the South Aceh District Health Office to pay attention to the quality of water and fish consumed. One step that can be taken is to limit the intake of well water and fish exposed to methylmercury. The application of the phytoremediation method to reduce mercury levels in the environment and the implementation of regular environmental health risk assessments is also very important to protect public health.

Conclusion

The Need for Proactive Prevention Steps

Exposure to mercury, especially in the form of methylmercury, can have a very detrimental impact on health, especially in the central nervous system. This can cause cognitive disorders, changes in behavior, and other mental problems. The use of mercury in gold processing in areas such as Krueng Kalee is often ignored in the aspects of environmental health. People who depend on natural resources, especially water and fish, are very vulnerable to contamination.

The Role of Education and Community Involvement

The proactive attitude of all parties, ranging from the government to the community, is needed. Education about the risk of mercury, ways to mitigate exposure, as well as alternative solutions in gold processing can be an effective first step. Moreover, the involvement of the Health Office in monitoring public health that is at risk can help in better decision making related to health and environmental policies.

Recommendations

Minimizing the Negative Impact of Mercury Exposure

With proper prevention steps, it is expected that the negative impact of mercury exposure can be minimized, so that public health can be maintained and the environment remains clean from pollution. The application of the phytoremediation method to reduce mercury levels in the environment and the implementation of regular environmental health risk assessments is also very important to protect public health.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The Importance of Environmental Health Risk Assessments

The Role of Education and Community Involvement

Limitations of the Study

The Study's Limitations

The study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the cross-sectional design. The study only focuses on the risk of mercury exposure to neuropsychological effects and does not consider other potential health effects of mercury exposure.

Future Research Directions

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the long-term effects of mercury exposure on public health and the environment. The study should also consider other potential health effects of mercury exposure, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Moreover, the study should explore alternative solutions in gold processing that do not involve the use of mercury.

Conclusion

The Need for Proactive Prevention Steps

The Role of Education and Community Involvement

References

[1] World Health Organization. (2018). Mercury and Health.
[2] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
[3] National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2018). Mercury and Health.

Note: The references provided are for example purposes only and should be replaced with actual references used in the study.
Q&A: Risk Analysis of Mercury Exposure to Neuropsychological Effects on Communities in the Gold Processing Site of Krueng Kalee Village, Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency in 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main objective of the study?

A: The main objective of the study is to analyze the risk of mercury exposure to neuropsychological effects on people living around the gold processing industry in Krueng Kalee Village, Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency.

Q: What methods were used in the study?

A: The study uses quantitative methods with a cross-sectional design, involving 95 respondents. The analysis was carried out by the bivariate method using the Mann Whitney test and the Spearman correlation test, as well as multivariate analysis with multiple linear regression tests.

Q: What are the key findings of the study?

A: The study found a significant correlation between several factors, namely mercury levels in well water, the rate of drinking water intake, the duration of mercury exposure from drinking water, mercury levels in fish, the rate of fish intake, and the frequency of mercury exposure from fish with neuropsychological effects experienced by respondents.

Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings indicate that there is a significant effect of mercury exposure to the neuropsychological effects of society. This suggests the need for more assertive prevention steps, including education about the risk of mercury, ways to mitigate exposure, and alternative solutions in gold processing.

Q: What are the recommendations of the study?

A: The study recommends that the community, the gold miners, as well as the South Aceh District Health Office pay attention to the quality of water and fish consumed. One step that can be taken is to limit the intake of well water and fish exposed to methylmercury. The application of the phytoremediation method to reduce mercury levels in the environment and the implementation of regular environmental health risk assessments is also very important to protect public health.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the cross-sectional design. The study only focuses on the risk of mercury exposure to neuropsychological effects and does not consider other potential health effects of mercury exposure.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on the long-term effects of mercury exposure on public health and the environment. The study should also consider other potential health effects of mercury exposure, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Moreover, the study should explore alternative solutions in gold processing that do not involve the use of mercury.

Additional Questions and Answers

Q: What is the significance of the study's findings?

A: The study's findings are significant because they highlight the need for more assertive prevention steps to protect public health from the effects of mercury exposure.

Q: What are the potential health effects of mercury exposure?

A: The potential health effects of mercury exposure include cognitive disorders, changes in behavior, and other mental problems.

Q: What are the alternative solutions in gold processing that do not involve the use of mercury?

A: Alternative solutions in gold processing that do not involve the use of mercury include the use of cyanide-free gold processing methods and the implementation of environmental health risk assessments.

Q: What is the role of education in mitigating the effects of mercury exposure?

A: Education plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of mercury exposure by raising awareness about the risk of mercury, ways to mitigate exposure, and alternative solutions in gold processing.

Q: What is the importance of community involvement in mitigating the effects of mercury exposure?

A: Community involvement is crucial in mitigating the effects of mercury exposure because it allows for the implementation of prevention steps that are tailored to the specific needs of the community.

Conclusion

The Need for Proactive Prevention Steps

The Role of Education and Community Involvement

References

[1] World Health Organization. (2018). Mercury and Health.
[2] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
[3] National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2018). Mercury and Health.

Note: The references provided are for example purposes only and should be replaced with actual references used in the study.