Determination of dosage reference (RfD) of mercury based on NOAEL and characteristics of workers in the area of unlicensed gold mining (PETI) Maluku Province Indonesia

Mercury (Hydrargyrum/Hg) is one of the metals that are hazardous and toxic (B3), liquid, silver white�colored, and easily evaporate at room temperature. In Indonesia, mercury is one of the environmental contaminants caused by illegal gold mining or Unlicensed Gold Mining (PETI). This study aims to determine the reference dose (RfD) of mercury in accordance with the characteristics of workers in Indonesia in order to be able to calculate and predict the risks to their health. This is an observational research by using a dose response approach and NOAEL in experimental animal of white mice (Rattus novergicus). The subjects in this study were the illegal mining workers in Kayeli Village. The sample used was 67 workers, while the object of this research was the concentration of mercury in wells water and Polymesoda eros shells which are frequently consumed by workers. Mercury concentration in drinking water in the area of illegal Gold Mining (PETI) was still within safe limits for consumption of 0,0005 mg/l, while the mercury concentration in Polymesoda erosa shells was not safe for consumption by 0.756 mg/kg. Safe daily exposure dose of mercury in Kayeli Village Gold illegal mining area is 0,033 mg/kg with a NOAEL value of mercury of 0.23 mg/kg. The RfD value can be used as a reference in predicting the risks to the health of workers in the area of Illegal Gold Mining (PETI) in Maluku Province of Indonesia.