Increase supervision of activities around the landfill

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 40 views

Analysis of Environmental Health Risks in Groundwater Containing Heavy Metals CD, Fe, Pb, and Zn around the TPA Plunged, Medan Marelan District, Medan, North Sumatra

Introduction

The Final Disposal Site (TPA) plunged, located in Medan Marelan District, Dunap Village, has been a source of concern for the community living around it. The landfill's proximity to residential areas has raised questions about the safety of the groundwater used by the community for cooking and drinking. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of heavy metals such as cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in groundwater around the landfill and assess the environmental health risks associated with consuming contaminated water.

Methodology

Groundwater sampling was conducted in the rainy season (November 2023) and the dry season (March 2024) using the method outlined in SNI 69.89.58: 2008. The quality standards for heavy metals CD, Pb, Fe, and Zn were based on Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023, which sets the maximum allowable limits at 0.03 mg/l, 0.01 mg/l, 0.2 mg/l, and 3 mg/l, respectively. A total of 18 respondents who used groundwater for cooking and drinking were involved in the study.

Results

The results of the study showed that the average concentration of heavy metals CD, Pb, Fe, and Zn in the rainy season was 0.068 mg/L, 0.48 mg/L, 0.24 mg/L, and 0.12 mg/L, respectively. In contrast, the average concentration of these heavy metals in the dry season was 0.027 mg/L, 0.028 mg/L, 0.33 mg/L, and 0.0007 mg/L, respectively.

Risk Assessment

The results of the total non-carcinogenic risk characteristics in adults in the rainy season showed a RQ value > 1, indicating a higher risk compared to the dry season (RQ value < 1). For children, the results of carcinogenic characteristics in the rainy season also showed a RQ value > 1, while in the dry season, the RQ value was still > 1. Furthermore, the results of carcinogenic risk characteristics in adults and children in the rainy season and the dry season showed an ECR value > 0.0001, indicating a high risk of health problems.

Discussion

The results of this study provide a clear picture of the impact of heavy metal pollution on the quality of groundwater around the landfill. Heavy metals such as CDs, Pb, Fe, and Zn are known to be dangerous pollutants that can cause serious health problems, including damage to the nervous system, impaired kidney function, and an increased risk of various types of cancer.

The discovery that the RQ value in the rainy season shows a higher risk compared to the dry season indicates the influence of rainfall on heavy metal mobilization into groundwater, which can originate from the washing process of waste that accumulates in the landfill area. This highlights the need for effective wastewater treatment systems and increased supervision of activities around the landfill to prevent further pollution.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate the importance of protecting groundwater resources and public health around the landfill. The government needs to take appropriate mitigation actions, such as counseling the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and finding alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources. Further research is also needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of this heavy metal pollution.

Recommendations

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

Increase supervision of activities around the landfill: The government needs to increase supervision of activities around the landfill to prevent further pollution and ensure that waste is disposed of properly.
Implement effective wastewater treatment systems: The government needs to implement effective wastewater treatment systems to prevent heavy metals from entering the groundwater.
Counsel the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water: The government needs to counsel the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and provide alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources.
Conduct further research: Further research is needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of this heavy metal pollution.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sample size: The sample size of this study was limited to 18 respondents, which may not be representative of the entire community.
Limited duration of the study: The study was conducted over a limited period of time, which may not capture the full impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater.
Limited data on long-term impact: The study did not collect data on the long-term impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater, which is an important area for further research.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Long-term impact of heavy metal pollution: Further research is needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater.
Effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems: Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems in preventing heavy metals from entering the groundwater.
Public awareness and education: Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of public awareness and education campaigns in reducing the consumption of contaminated water.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of protecting groundwater resources and public health around the landfill. The government needs to take appropriate mitigation actions, such as counseling the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and finding alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources. Further research is also needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of this heavy metal pollution.
Q&A: Environmental Health Risks in Groundwater Containing Heavy Metals CD, Fe, Pb, and Zn around the TPA Plunged, Medan Marelan District, Medan, North Sumatra

Q: What are the main heavy metals found in groundwater around the TPA plunged?

A: The main heavy metals found in groundwater around the TPA plunged are cadmium (CD), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn).

Q: What are the health risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater?

A: Consuming contaminated groundwater can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the nervous system, impaired kidney function, and an increased risk of various types of cancer.

Q: What is the impact of rainfall on heavy metal mobilization into groundwater?

A: Rainfall can mobilize heavy metals into groundwater, which can originate from the washing process of waste that accumulates in the landfill area.

Q: What are the recommended actions to mitigate the environmental health risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater?

A: The recommended actions to mitigate the environmental health risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater include:

Increasing supervision of activities around the landfill: The government needs to increase supervision of activities around the landfill to prevent further pollution and ensure that waste is disposed of properly.
Implementing effective wastewater treatment systems: The government needs to implement effective wastewater treatment systems to prevent heavy metals from entering the groundwater.
Counseling the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water: The government needs to counsel the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and provide alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Limited sample size: The sample size of this study was limited to 18 respondents, which may not be representative of the entire community.
Limited duration of the study: The study was conducted over a limited period of time, which may not capture the full impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater.
Limited data on long-term impact: The study did not collect data on the long-term impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater, which is an important area for further research.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on:

Long-term impact of heavy metal pollution: Further research is needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater.
Effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems: Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems in preventing heavy metals from entering the groundwater.
Public awareness and education: Research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of public awareness and education campaigns in reducing the consumption of contaminated water.

Q: What are the implications of this study for public health and environmental protection?

A: The implications of this study for public health and environmental protection are significant. The study highlights the importance of protecting groundwater resources and public health around the landfill. The government needs to take appropriate mitigation actions, such as counseling the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and finding alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources.

Q: What can individuals do to protect themselves from the risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater?

A: Individuals can protect themselves from the risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater by:

Using alternative water sources: Individuals can use alternative water sources, such as bottled water or water from a different well.
Boiling water: Individuals can boil water before consuming it to kill any bacteria or other contaminants.
Using water filters: Individuals can use water filters to remove contaminants from the water.

Q: What are the next steps for addressing the environmental health risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater?

A: The next steps for addressing the environmental health risks associated with consuming contaminated groundwater include:

Conducting further research: Further research is needed to get more comprehensive data on the long-term impact of heavy metal pollution on the groundwater.
Implementing effective wastewater treatment systems: The government needs to implement effective wastewater treatment systems to prevent heavy metals from entering the groundwater.
Counseling the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water: The government needs to counsel the public about the dangers of consuming contaminated water and provide alternative solutions to get safer clean water sources.