Mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) remains a major public health concern in Indonesia. This cross-sectional biomonitoring study examined the factors associated with mercury exposure among 50 adults living near ASGM activities in the Bungo District. The interview data covered sociodemographic, occupational, behavioral, and exposure-related factors, while hair mercury concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Descriptive analyses, bivariate logistic screening, and multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise selection were performed. In the final model, non-mining participants had lower odds of higher mercury exposure than mining-related workers (OR = 0.164; 95% CI: 0.030–0.892; P = 0.036). Adults aged ≥45 years had lower odds than those aged 21–44 years (OR = 0.097; 95% CI: 0.020–0.474; p = 0.004), whereas women had higher odds than men (OR = 8.032; 95% CI: 1.586–40.675; p = 0.012). The model showed moderate explanatory performance (Nagelkerke R² = 0.414) and 78.0% accuracy. These findings indicate higher exposure among younger adults, women, and mining-related workers, supporting targeted biomonitoring, occupational risk reduction, and community-based interventions in areas affected by ASGM.
The rapid growth of thermoplastic manufacturing in Indonesia, particularly in thermoplastic-based products such as children’s toys, has not been accompanied by sufficient environmental assessment, especially Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). While previous studies have mainly focused on extrusion processes, this study incorporated additional processes, such as spray coating, to provide a more representative evaluation. This study evaluated the environmental impacts of vacuum cleaner manufacturing using LCA with the CML-IA midpoint method. The data were processed using OpenLCA 2.4.1 and the ELCD database. The results indicate that producing one unit of a vacuum cleaner contributes to multiple environmental impact categories, including acidification (0.001 kg SO₂-eq), eutrophication (0.0001 kg PO₄³⁻-eq), Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity (0.001 kg 1,4-DB eq), and Global Warming Potential (4.208 kg CO₂-eq). Additional impacts were identified in Human Toxicity (0.406 kg 1,4-DB eq), Marine Aquatic Ecotoxicity (2558.698 kg 1,4-DB eq), Photochemical Oxidation (0.000025 kg C₂H₄-eq), and Terrestrial Ecotoxicity (0.041 kg 1,4-DB eq). Among these, Marine Aquatic Ecotoxicity emerged as a dominant contributor because of the presence of hydrogen fluoride released into the environment during the spraying process. To address this issue, mitigation measures, such as substituting inorganic paints in the spray coating process with organic or ecolabel-certified alternatives, have been proposed
The Natar market is experiencing an increase in solid waste generation that has not been resolved optimally due to inadequate Temporary Waste Storage Site facilities and a lack of awareness, causing waste accumulation and the transfer of problems to the landfill. This study aimed to analyze solid waste generation and composition based on SNI 19-3964-1994 and to assess the economic potential of recycled waste and the cost-benefit analysis for organic waste processing. The amount of waste produced at the Natar Market was 884.45 kg per day and 7,902.33 liters per day. The composition of solid waste is dominated by organic waste (87.34 %), Low-Density Polyethylene plastic (8.70 %), paper/cardboard (2.14 %), Polyethylene Terephthalate plastic (1.27 %), and other types of waste less than 1%. The selected waste processing alternative was the Black Soldier Fly technology, with a scoring and weighting result of 418 points. Recycled waste has the potential to generate an economic value of IDR 2,151,796.50. The cost-benefit analysis shows that Black Soldier technology is feasible to implement with a Net Present Value of IDR 497,543,239.61, an Internal Rate of Return of 12%, and a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.017.
Palm kernel shell (PKS), a major by-product of the palm oil industry, has emerged as a promising sustainable feedstock for solid biofuel briquette production. This study presents a systematic review of PKS briquettes, emphasizing their thermal properties, briquetting technologies, pretreatment methods, environmental and economic impacts, and future prospects of PKS briquettes. A PRISMA-based methodology was applied to ensure the transparent identification, screening, and synthesis of relevant peer-reviewed studies on PKS briquette production and performance. The review indicates that PKS briquettes generally possess a high calorific value, substantial fixed carbon content, and competitive combustion performance compared with other biomass fuels. Advances in densification techniques and pretreatment processes have improved the fuel quality, durability, and energy efficiency. Despite these strengths, several research gaps remain. Standardized data on thermal conductivity and heat transfer are limited, and comparative assessments with conventional fuels, such as coal and firewood, are insufficient. Moreover, inconsistencies in the experimental conditions hinder cross-study evaluation, and emission characteristics and large-scale industrial feasibility are underreported. By consolidating current findings and identifying critical knowledge gaps, this review offers a structured foundation for future research and informed policymaking, supporting the integration of PKS briquettes into sustainable energy and circular economy strategies in palm oil–producing regions
ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization that regulates Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to help companies manage environmental impacts, comply with regulations, and achieve continuous improvement. Manufacture Industry, a foreign investment company engaged in diesel engine production, implements EMS as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. This study evaluates the implementation of ISO 14001:2015 by comparing each clause of the standard with actual operational practices within the company. Data were collected through field observations and document reviews. The results show that Manufacture Industry has effectively implemented all clauses of ISO 14001:2015, particularly in waste management, air quality monitoring, and regulatory compliance. However, improvements are still needed in increasing employee awareness regarding the use of PPE in high-risk work areas. This study provides a more practical and structured approach to EMS evaluation by integrating clause-based ISO assessment with real industrial practices, which can serve as a reference for industries in improving EMS performance and operational control.
