Urban medical geology of mercury pollution on traditional gold smelting in Makassar City, Indonesia

Medical geology is a scientific field which corresponds between natural geological factorsand health problem in human, animal, and plants (Komatina 2010). The concept of an urbanmedical geology perspective is an effect on anthropogenic sources in urban pollution and humanhealth problems. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia traditional gold smelting has been runas private enterprises over the last 40 years, with fabricating gold bars to produce gold jewelryas the core business activities. Stages of making gold jewelry include smelting, burning, andpanning using mercury (Hg). Therefore, a potential source of mercury exposure and healthproblems is released in the smelters during their works. This research aims to assess mercurypollution on traditional gold smelters in Makassar City, Indonesia