Gas station management should be more disciplined in applying occupational health and safety rules

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 112 views

Introduction

Lead (Pb) pollution is a significant environmental concern, especially in urban areas where motor vehicle emissions are high. In Pematangsiantar City, gas stations are a common source of lead pollution due to the burning of motor vehicle fuels. This study aims to investigate the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers in the city in 2019.

Background

Lead (Pb) is a toxic substance that can have severe health effects, including reproductive problems. Exposure to lead has been linked to decreased sperm count, reduced fertility, and increased risk of miscarriage. In Indonesia, lead pollution is a significant concern, particularly in urban areas where motor vehicle emissions are high. Gas stations are a common source of lead pollution due to the burning of motor vehicle fuels.

Methodology

This study uses an observational analytic method with a cross-sectional design. The research population included 36 male gas station officers working at three gas stations in Pematangsiantar City. From this population, all members were used as samples, and data analysis was carried out through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate approaches using logistic regression.

Results

The results of this study showed that lead levels in ambient air had a significant value with a p-value of 0.024 and a prevalence ratio (PR) of 22.70. The working period variable showed a Sig value of 0.038 (PR 13,898) and working time with a Sig value of 0.009 (PR 57,681). Meanwhile, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) showed a value of SIG of 0.074 (PR 12,668). Overall, the three variables contributed 98 percent to the number of male gas station sperm cells.

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that there is a significant relationship between lead levels in ambient air, working period, and work time with the number of sperm cells in male gas stations. However, the use of PPE does not show a significant relationship to the number of sperm cells. Among all variables, work time is the variable that most influences the number of sperm cells.

Conclusion

The conclusion of this study is that there is a significant relationship between lead levels in ambient air, working period, and work time with the number of sperm cells in male gas stations. However, the use of PPE does not show a significant relationship to the number of sperm cells. Among all variables, work time is the variable that most influences the number of sperm cells.

Implications

The findings of this study have several implications for gas station management and occupational health and safety. Good management practices, such as providing personal protective equipment and enforcing occupational health and safety rules, can help reduce the risk of lead exposure and its associated health effects. Additionally, increasing awareness of the dangers of lead exposure and promoting knowledge about how to protect oneself from pollutants can also have a positive impact on the reproductive health of workers.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Gas station management should be more disciplined in applying occupational health and safety rules, especially related to the use of personal protective equipment such as masks.
Increasing knowledge about how to protect oneself from the dangers of pollutants will be very valuable.
Increasing regulations and safety practices in the workplace will also have a positive impact on the reproductive health of workers.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The study only examined the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers, and did not examine other potential health effects of lead exposure.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Examine the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and other health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment.
Investigate the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce lead exposure and its associated health effects.
Develop and implement more effective occupational health and safety policies and practices in the workplace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found a significant relationship between lead levels in ambient air, working period, and work time with the number of sperm cells in male gas stations. However, the use of PPE does not show a significant relationship to the number of sperm cells. Among all variables, work time is the variable that most influences the number of sperm cells. The findings of this study have several implications for gas station management and occupational health and safety, and highlight the need for more effective policies and practices to reduce lead exposure and its associated health effects.

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers in Pematangsiantar City in 2019.

Q: What is the significance of lead (Pb) pollution in urban areas?

A: Lead (Pb) pollution is a significant environmental concern in urban areas, particularly in areas with high motor vehicle emissions. Exposure to lead has been linked to various health problems, including reproductive issues.

Q: What is the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers?

A: The results of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers. The study found that higher levels of lead in ambient air were associated with lower sperm counts.

Q: What are the implications of this study for gas station management and occupational health and safety?

A: The findings of this study have several implications for gas station management and occupational health and safety. Good management practices, such as providing personal protective equipment and enforcing occupational health and safety rules, can help reduce the risk of lead exposure and its associated health effects.

Q: What are some recommendations for reducing lead exposure and its associated health effects?

A: Some recommendations for reducing lead exposure and its associated health effects include:

Providing personal protective equipment, such as masks, to workers
Enforcing occupational health and safety rules
Increasing awareness of the dangers of lead exposure
Promoting knowledge about how to protect oneself from pollutants

Q: What are some limitations of this study?

A: Some limitations of this study include:

The sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings
The study only examined the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and the number of sperm cells in male gas station officers, and did not examine other potential health effects of lead exposure

Q: What are some future research directions?

A: Some future research directions include:

Examining the relationship between lead levels in ambient air and other health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment
Investigating the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce lead exposure and its associated health effects
Developing and implementing more effective occupational health and safety policies and practices in the workplace

Q: What are some potential health effects of lead exposure?

A: Exposure to lead has been linked to various health problems, including:

Reproductive issues, such as decreased sperm count and fertility
Cardiovascular disease
Cognitive impairment
Neurological problems

Q: How can individuals protect themselves from lead exposure?

A: Individuals can protect themselves from lead exposure by:

Wearing personal protective equipment, such as masks
Avoiding areas with high levels of lead pollution
Following occupational health and safety rules
Increasing awareness of the dangers of lead exposure
Promoting knowledge about how to protect oneself from pollutants

Q: What are some resources for learning more about lead exposure and its associated health effects?

A: Some resources for learning more about lead exposure and its associated health effects include:

The World Health Organization (WHO)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)