Risks assessment of silica contamination on the communities living surround the cement industry, Pangkep Indonesia

This study focused on the assessment of the potential risks of silica on the ecology and the estimated weekly intake due to the consumption of traditional cake, water and mixed fruits. Soils and traditional cakes were collected from the concerned area where water was collected from the river and drainage basin. Silica potentially toxic elements were analyzed in terms of concentration, potential ecological risk, and human health risk. The highest concentration of Silica pollutant around the Tonasa Cement Industry Pangkep were on well water with (16.18 mg/l), river water (18.12 mg/), sediment (41.11mg/l), surface soil (7,92%) and air particulate (2.74%), respectively. In addition, the highest concentration of Silica (SiO₂) around the Tonasa Cement Industry Pangkep on mixed fruits with (14.17mg/l), followed by traditional cake (7.26 mg/), and drinking water with (0.52mg/l), respectively. The potential ecological risks posed by silica on all those environment were considerable and moderate, respectively. Estimated weekly intake indicated that non-carcinogenic risks all fell below threshold values. The total carcinogenic risks due to silica was within the acceptable range for communities. This conclusion provides a scientific basis for the control of potentially toxic element pollution and environmental protection of the ecology and food for communities who are living surround the Cement Industry, Pangkep.