RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS OF HERBICIDE APPLICATORS (CASE STUDY ON PALM OIL PLANTATION PT. S BANYUASIN DISTRICT)

Abstract

Background: Herbicide is a pesticide widely used in agriculture, plantations and rice fields with the aim of controlling weeds. The application of herbicide can have positive effects and negative impacts, if the application is not compliant can pollute the environment and cause health problems for workers. One of the health effects that may result is a decrease in hemoglobin level workers. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of anemia in oil palm plantations.

Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional; with a sample size is a total population of 40 respondents. Data collection techniques using questionnaires and measurement of hemoglobin level.

Result: the results showed the variables that were significantly associated with anemia that respiratory exposure, the use of personal protective equipment and decontamination after spraying, whereas the most dominant variables determine anemia that respiratory exposure.

Conclusion: One of the causes of anemia is the exposure of workers to the herbicide active ingredient. This is because the entry of the herbicide into the body in the form of free radicals that can damage proteins and inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase. Therefore, to prevent the entry of the herbicide into the body using the personal protective equipment must be complete and standards. In addition, the company needs to improve knowledge workers to make their application correctly, provide appropriate personal protective equipment standards.

Keywords: Risk factors, Anemia, Applicators, Herbicide

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26553/jikm.2017.8.1.34-42