Saintika Medika: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan dan Kedokteran Keluarga.
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026): June 2026

Blood Profile and Heavy Metal Levels Among Gas Station Workers in Malang

Ari Prasetyadjati (Brawijaya University)
Taufiq Abdullah (Brawijaya University)
Munsifah Zaiyanah (Brawijaya University)
Erka Wahyu Kinanda (Brawijaya University)
Sabrina Analisa (Brawijaya University)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Jun 2026

Abstract

Fuel-station attendants are chronically exposed to lead, mercury and cadmium through inhalation of vehicle-exhaust particulates and dermal contact with fuel residues, placing them at elevated risk of cardiovascular and renal disease. Despite this recognised hazard, integrated health-surveillance data for Indonesian pump operators remain scarce. This study aimed to characterise the vascular status, haematological and biochemical profile, circulating heavy-metal concentrations and occupational safety behaviours of fuel-station workers in Malang, East Java. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Twenty male pump attendants were recruited by census sampling from multiple SPBU outlets in Malang during 2025. Each participant underwent seated blood-pressure measurement, pulse oximetry and venous blood collection for quantification of lead, mercury, cadmium, renal function markers (ureum, creatinine, BUN), liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and electrolytes. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire captured sociodemographic data, smoking status and occupational safety practices. Hypertension was defined per the 2024 ESC Guidelines (≥140/90 mmHg) and metal concentrations were benchmarked against WHO occupational thresholds. Pearson correlation and SPSS 26 were used for analysis. Mean age was 26.8 ± 5.9 years. Eleven workers (55%) met the hypertension criterion (mean systolic 134.6 ± 13.9, diastolic 85.2 ± 8.8 mmHg). Blood lead averaged 30.22 ± 4.96 µg/L, exceeding the 20 µg/L occupational threshold in all 20 participants (100%). Mercury (16.32 ± 2.75 µg/L) and cadmium (3.44 ± 0.83 µg/L) mostly remained within limits. Renal and hepatic panels were largely unremarkable; however, employment duration correlated positively with blood lead (r = 0.45, p = 0.047) and with ureum (r = 0.50, p = 0.024). Only nine workers (45%) used masks or gloves routinely and six (30%) attended periodic health examinations. Universal lead-level elevation, high hypertension prevalence and poor protective-equipment compliance underscore the need for routine metal screening, cardiovascular surveillance and structured occupational-health programmes for Indonesia's fuel-station workforce.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

sainmed

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Journal of Saintika Medika is a peer-reviewed and open access journal that focuses on promoting medical sciences generated from basic sciences, clinical, and community or public health research to integrate researches in all aspects of human health. This journal publishes original articles, reviews, ...