Risk assessment exposure of mercury (Hg) at people who consuming Nila fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Limboto lake of Gorontalo province

This study objective was to risk assessment of mercury at people who consuming Nila fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Limboto Lake of Gorontalo Province. Observational study was used by using environmental health risk assessment approach. Mercury levels in Nila fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Limboto Lake analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, whereas body weight, consumption rate and exposure time analyzed quantitatively with interviewing 95 participants from six village for calculated mercury intake and risk quotient (RQ). The mercury levels in Nila fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Limboto Lake, approximately 0.000007-0.000089 mg/gram. This study found that the average of risk quotient at people who consuming fish in Payunga village with 0.0000554 mg/gram was 1.32, risk quotient for consuming fish in Podutuma village with 0.000061 mg/gram was 1.01, risk quotient for consuming fish in Ilomangga village with 0.000007 mg/gram was 0.11, risk quotient for consuming fish in Kayubulan village with 0.000067 mg/gram was 1.36, risk quotient for consuming fish in Huntulabohu village with 0.000089 was 2.87 and risk quotient for consuming fish in Buhu village with 0.000089 was 1.08. This study showed that fish not secure for consuming until 30 years later so that the required risk management. Risk management can be done by reducing levels of mercury in fish, controlling consumption rate, and lessening exposure time. However, this study suggests that the most effective risk management for managing risk is controlling consuming rate for fish from Limboto Lake.