Air Quality Evaluation: Assessment of Heavy Metals in Dust at the Indonesian National Nuclear Energy Agency

Air quality is a critical aspect in ensuring a healthy and sustainable living environment. One aspect of major concern is air contamination by heavy metals, especially in the form of dust. Heavy metals are chemical compounds that can have negative impacts on human health and the ecosystem as a whole. This study aims to investigate the distribution of heavy metals in airborne dust and their impact on air quality. This study is categorized into a descriptive type that describes the concentration of heavy metals in dust. Cross-sectional is the study design used. Quantitative data includes the concentration of heavy metals present in filter paper dust. The research was conducted at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency). Concentrations of 12 elements: Fe, Au, Pd, Se, Mo, Cu, W, Ni, Sn, Zn, Ir, Sb in ambient airborne dust have been detected at six sampling locations, including the Environmental Safety Laboratory, Radioactive Laboratory, Basement, Saung, TENORM Testing Facility, and Parking Area. Metallic element contamination in airborne dust at the six sampling sites was mainly found in the Environmental Safety Laboratory room, consisting of Fe, Au, Pd, Se, Mo, Cu, W, Ni. Of all the known elements, only the presence of Pb is regulated in Government Regulation No. 41 of 1999 on air pollution control in Indonesia. The quality standard for Pb in Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) is 2 µg/Nm3 or 2000 µg/Nm3. Compared to the standards of developed countries such as USEPA, where the quality standard for Pb in ambient air has been set at 250 µg/Nm3.