Analisis Kualitas Air Sungai serta Keluhan Kesehatan Kulit di Lingkungan Pabrik Sawit X di Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Utara

Abstract

River water pollution caused by industrial wastewater, particularly from palm oil mills, can negatively affect the health of communities that rely on river water for daily needs. This study aimed to analyze river water quality based on physical, chemical, and biological parameters, and to describe skin health complaints among community members who use river water in the vicinity of Palm Oil Mill X, Labuhanbatu Utara Regency. This descriptive study involved 150 respondents who used river water through storage and filtration systems. The results showed that the majority of respondents were aged 19–59 years (79 people, 52.7%), female (84 people, 56%), had a senior high school education or equivalent (57 people, 38%), and had lived in the area for more than five years (121 people, 80.7%). Water quality testing revealed the highest concentrations at the factory effluent outlet, exceeding the Class II water quality standards according to Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021, with TSS 84 mg/L, BOD 186 mg/L, COD 564 mg/L, pH 5.72, and oil and grease 4.6 mg/L. Most respondents used river water for bathing only (78 people, 52%), bathed twice daily (126 people, 84%), and had direct contact with river water for more than two hours per day (60 people, 40%). A total of 83 respondents (55.3%) experienced skin health complaints, with the most common being itching (83 people, 55.3%), macules (32 people, 21.3%), and urticaria (28 people, 18.7%). The duration of complaints most frequently lasted for one week or more (32 people, 21.3%), and first occurred within less than six months of river water use (40 people, 26.7%). Additionally, 34 respondents (22.7%) reported recurrent complaints within the past year. It is recommended that the government strengthen water quality monitoring and that communities remain more vigilant regarding the risk of skin health problems.