Analisis Paparan Timbal (Pb) pada Pekerja Bengkel Informal Berbasis Biomarker Rambut: Kajian Literatur

Salsabila Azzahra (Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta)
Bebby Shandra Caecarya Akbar (Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta)
Giska Dwi Sari Febriyani (Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta)
Lazika Nazwa Tiara (Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jakarta)
Helwa Rachman (Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta)
Ismi Farah Syarifah (Program Studi Kesehatan Masyarakat, Fakultas Ilmu Kesehatan, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta)

Health Safety Environment Journal
Vol 5 No 1 (2026): Health Safety Environment Journal (Maret 2026)

Background: Automotive workshops are part of the informal sector that often operates without adequate occupational health supervision. Workers are at risk of lead exposure originating from dust, paint, vehicle painting processes, welding, and exhaust emissions. Lead is a toxic metal that can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and subsequently accumulates in the blood, soft tissues, hair, and bones. This study aims to determine the lead levels in the hair of informal automotive workshop workers in Indonesia as a biomarker of heavy metal exposure. Methods: This research is a literature review examining various studies on lead exposure among informal automotive workshop workers through hair analysis. The analysis was conducted using the PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes) framework, and the findings were then compared descriptively to illustrate the level of lead exposure and its potential health risks. Results: The review indicates that informal automotive workshop workers in Indonesia consistently experience lead exposure, which is detectable through hair biomarkers. The five studies analyzed confirm lead accumulation due to chronic exposure to dust, welding fumes, vehicle emissions, and work material residues. The level of exposure is influenced by age, length of employment, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In general, workers with a longer duration of exposure showed increased lead accumulation. The impacts of this exposure include impaired blood formation, decreased neurological function, kidney damage, and reproductive disorders. Conclusion: Informal automotive workshop workers face a high risk of lead exposure from their work environment. Lead accumulation increases with the length of employment and has the potential to cause long-term health disorders. Strengthening regulations, increasing education regarding PPE, as well as conducting routine monitoring and management of the work environment are necessary to minimize these risks.