Determining mercury safe concentration in shells in the unlicensed gold mining area of Kayeli Village, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Mercury is one of the metals in the environment which naturally occurs and is classified as a hazardous material. Mercury is a silver white heavy metal and has persistent properties. It is liquid, volatile, bioaccumulation and harmful to health and the environment. This study aimed to determine the safe concentration of mercury exposure in the community in the area of unlicensed gold mining areas (PETI) in Kayeli Village, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. This study was an observational study with an environmental health risk analysis approach. The sample of this study was 67 people and the object of this study was Polymesoda erosa shells. The variables were the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL), Reference Dose (RfD), mercury concentrations in the shells, body weight, shell consumption rate and safe concentrations of mercury in the shells. The result showed mercury concentration in Polymesoda erosa in 9 different sample locations was 0.756 mg/kg and the safe concentration of mercury exposure was 0.71 mg/ kg. It was less than the Indonesian National Standard of the maximum limit of heavy metal contamination in food. It can be concluded that the safe concentration of mercury in the shells of illegal gold mining areas in Maluku province of Indonesia is safe and can be used as a reference for the community.