Health Risk Assessment of Vapor-Phase Hydrogen Peroxide Exposure at A Milk Factory PT. XYZ Year 2017

H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) has been widely used as sterilization substance due to its strong oxidation properties. Nowadays, especially in dairy industry, H2O2 is mainly used to sterilize containers. However, it was found out that long term exposure of H2O2 to workers might cause adverse effects such as irritations towards eyes, skins, and respiratory systems. This research aimed to evaluate the potential health risks of H2O2 exposure to workers working at UHT milk packing process PT XYZ. Furthermore, several recommendations to minimize risk will be discussed. Chemical Hazard Risk Assessment (CHRA) method from DOSH Malaysia was used and assessing health complaints from the workers were identified using a questionnaire. It was found that during observation, H2O2 exposure level at filling room and exhaust chimney were the highest, 1.50 ppm and 9 ppm respectively. The TLV-TWA is was 1.00 ppm. Dry and sore throat were the most common health implications experienced by the workers. Steam flows were proposed as an absorbent for H2O2 inside the chimney to reduce the exposure level. It was shown that the released concentrations of H2O2 from chimney were reduced from 9 ppm to 0.5 ppm after steam flows were implemented. Thus, it was recommended to improve air circulation and exhaust fan on filling machines to further reduce the H2O2 exposure level.