Innovative APTA (Air Purification Toxic Adsorbent) for Reducing Heavy Metals and Particulate Matter in Incense Stick Manufacturing

Small-scale industries significantly contribute to air pollution, causing occupational health hazards and environmental damage, including effects on vegetation and heritage sites. This pre-experimental study was conducted in an incense stick home industry in Dalisodo village, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia, from July to October 2024. The APTA (Air Purification Toxic Adsorbent), an air purification system designed to improve workplace air quality, was installed. The system includes five main components: a HEPA filter, zeolite, silica gel, SAP sand, and a dust cotton filter. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test compared concentrations of PM2.5, PM20, Pb, and Mn at 10 locations before and after APTA installation, using a significance level of 0.05. Results showed a significant reduction in manganese levels, with a Z score of -2.703 and p-value of 0.007, indicating effective filtration of Mn particulates. This reduction is important given manganese’s known respiratory toxicity, highlighting the potential of APTA to reduce harmful airborne contaminants in small-scale industrial settings.