Analysis of correlation between toluene exposure and health risk characterization on printing worker of plastic bags industry

The production process of plastic bag industry have always hazards and risks. Chemicals is one of the hazard that used in this industry. That is toluene, one of chemicals used in printing process. Toluene can cause several occupation health risk and effect. This study aimed to determine the correlation of toluene exposure and health risk characterization (RQ) in printing workers PT X Sidoarjo. This study was an observational study with cross-sectional approach. The sample in this study was a total of 32 respondent. The concentration of toluene measured by using gas chromatography as the instrument. The health risk characterization (RQ) calculated by dividing intake dose value with reference concentration. The result showed the concentration of toluene in location 2 was 31,54 ppm and above threshold limit value based on ACGIH (2011). There was 40,6% printing workers had RQ ≥ 1 and there was a significant correlation between toluene exposure and health risk characterization (RQ).