Mercury Exposure in the Scalp Hair of Malahing Residents, Bontang, East Kalimantan
Abstract
Research on mercury exposure in the scalp hair of Malahing Village residents
has been done. They consume fish in their daily lives so they are potentially
exposed to mercury. The total mercury content in their scalp hair was measured
by Thermal Decomposition Gold Amalgamation Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy Method. The analysis result showed that the mercury content in
their scalp hair was between 0.34-2.73 ppm. Mercury levels in the scalp hair of
female and male samples are not significantly different. There is a tendency for
mercury levels to increase with age.