Community-based research between Memorial University of Newfoundland and the
Indigenous Sorowako Association (KW AS) assessed the environmental and potential
human health impacts of an operational three-decades old laterite nickel mine and smelter
in Sorowako, Indonesia. An active air sampler and health questionnaire were used in this
study to assess seasonal and diurnal patterns of air quality and prevalent health
conditions.
Air was sampled with the use of a high volume air sampler to determine average total
suspended particulates (TSP) and airborne metal concentrations. Twelve-hour air samples
were collected over approximately five days and five nights during both the dry and rainy
seasons in six communities. The six communities were located at different distances and
directions from the nickel mines and smelter. Air samples were also collected at a
reference site located further away from the smelter during the rainy season only. The
composition of various metals was analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass
Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Twenty-four hour dust fall accumulation in approximately 20
households in the seven communities previously mentioned, as well as in 20 homes
located on Lake Matano were recorded with an area standardized Kim wipe swipe.
Communities closer to and downwind from the smelter had significantly higher mean
TSP values in the day of the dry season than communities further away from the smelter.
Average concentrations of nickel, cobalt and chromium were higher in the day than in the night in the dry season in communities closer to and downwind from the smelter. There
was only a slight significant regression of airborne nickel concentration with increasing
distance from the smelter in the day of the dry season (Linear r²= 0.276, p=0.006, Linear
r²= 0.066, p=0.207) but not in the night of the dry season. Dust fall accumulation did not
vary significantly among the communities, except in Kampung Baru, a site also exposed
to sawmill dust.
A confidential health questionnaire administered by community volunteers assessed
potential links between prevalent health conditions and mining and smelting in the area.
Twenty households were selected in a convenience sampling in the eight communities
where dust fall accumulation was also studied. Adult and child versions of the
questionnaire focused on respiratory and skin health conditions but also surveyed
prevalence of other illnesses, and health determinants.
Questionnaire responses showed that some health conditions typical of exposure to
airborne particulates and nickel, such as asthma, rhinitis, and skin tumours, were more
prevalent in areas closer to and downwind from nickel mining and smelting compared to
Malili, a community located further away from the mines and smelter. Several positive
correlations between ambient air pollution levels, dust fall accumulation in households,
and health conditions typically found in nickel industrial areas suggested a potential
human health impact of mining and smelting.
The community-based investigation provided a foundation for the community to
continually monitor, assess, and address environmental and health concerns
