HUBUNGAN ANTARA PAPARAN ASAP PEMBAKARAN LILIN BATIK DENGAN GAMBARAN EKG PENGRAJIN BATIK TULIS

Abstract

Background In the process of making batik, batik wax melting process produces smoke containing gaseous pollutants NO2, SO2, CO, CO2, HC, H2S, and particulate matters inhaled by batik artisans, which will cause damage to numerous organs including heart. Aim To determine the association between the exposure to smoke from batik wax melting with batik artisans’ ECG. Methods An observational analytic study with cross sectional design was conducted in Semarang. Two groups each having 15 people, batik artisans exposed to smoke from batik wax melting chronically and unexposed subjects served as control, respectively, were taken. Subjects’ characteristics, characteristics of exposure, and ECG test include PR interval, QT interval, and ECG abnormalities were taken from each subject. Results The analysis showed significant QT interval prolongation on batik artisans as compared to unexposed subjects (393,8 ± 22,4 vs. 377 ± 18,59; p = 0.037). Otherwise, no significant association found between exposure to smoke from batik wax melting with PR interval prolongation (153,1 ± 13,78 vs. 156,8 ± 18,06; p = 0.53). In addition, more batik artisans (8 people or 26.67%) were having abnormal ECG as compared to unexposed subjects (1 person or 3.33%). Batik artisans were at an eight-fold risk of having ECG abnormalities as compared to unexposed subjects. Conclusion There is a significant association between the exposure to smoke from batik wax melting with batik artisans ECG, the QT interval prolongation and ECG abnormalities specifically. Keywords: exposure to smoke of batik wax melting, batik artisans, ECG, PR interval, QT interval