Analysis reveals high PM2.5 exposure in communities near cement factories in South Sulawesi, suggesting urgent health protections are needed.
The proximity of cement factories to residential areas raises concerns about air pollution and health risks associated with particulate matter (PM) emissions, particularly PM2.5. This study aims to assess environmental health risks and spatial PM2.5 exposure around the cement industry in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Methods involved descriptive quantitative techniques, with data collected from eight sampling locations using purposive sampling, encompassing 160 individuals. Data analysis included intake calculations and risk quotient assessments. Hazard identification, dose-response analysis, exposure evaluation, and risk characterization were conducted to assess the health risks of PM2.5 exposure. Results indicate that PM2.5 levels in areas near the cement plant often exceed acceptable safety limits, posing notable health risks, especially among sensitive populations such as children and the elderly. The spatial analysis identifies Taraweang and Mangilu Villages as moderately exposed, Mangilu village is 1.6 km away from the cement factory, while Taraweang village is 1.55 km away, underscoring the necessity for targeted mitigation strategies and policies to safeguard public health in similar industrial settings.
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Daud et al. (2025) studied this question.