Respiratory health of children exposed to PM10: consequence of construction waste open dumping

Introduction: Due to rapid urbanization, Malaysia is currently undergoing extensive amount of construction activities and significant rise in the construction waste. Improper construction wastes management practices have led to rise in the waste open dumping sites which may significantly affect the environment and public health. This study was undertaken to assess air pollution in such a site and the impact to the respiratory health of children studying in a nearby school. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Sungai Buloh (exposed) and Kuala Selangor (comparative). Concentration of PM10 was monitored at the open dumping site (n=15), a nearby primary school (n=45) and a comparative primary school (n=12). Parents who gave consent (n=229) answered a questionnaire related to child’s respiratory health whereas their children participated in lung function assessment. Results: Concentration of PM10 at the dumping site, exposed school and comparative school was 0.245±0.048mg/m3, 0.270±0.020mg/m3 and 0.051±0.016mg/m3 respectively, with the first two significantly exceeded the 24-hour Malaysian Air Quality Standard (MAQS) for PM10 (0.150mg/m3). Besides, PM10 concentration in the exposed school was similar to the dumping site (p>0.05) and many folds higher than the comparative school (p<0.001). There was a significant risk of cough (PR=1.55), phlegm (PR=1.70), wheezing (PR=1.55) and obstructive pattern of lung function defect (PR male = 4.36; PR female = 3.65) among the exposed group children than their comparative counterpart. Conclusion: Open dumping of construction waste would release substantial amount of PM10 into ambient air and ultimately affect the respiratory health of community, especially children

Mercury accumulation in marine fish most favoured by Malaysian women, the predictors and the potential health risk

We identified marine fish species most preferred by women at reproductive age in Selangor, Malaysia, mercury concentrations in the fish muscles, factors predicting mercury accumulation and the potential health risk. Nineteen most preferred marine fish species were purchased (n = 175) from selected fisherman’s and wholesale market. Length, weight, habitat, feeding habit and trophic level were recognised. Edible muscles were filleted, dried at 80 °C, ground on an agate mortar and digested in Multiwave 3000 using HNO3 and H2O2. Total mercury was quantified using VP90 cold vapour system with N2 carrier gas. Certified reference material DORM-4 was used to validate the results. Fish species were classified as demersal (7) and pelagic (12) or predators (11), zoo benthos (6) and planktivorous (2). Length, weight and trophic level ranged from 10.5 to 75.0 cm, 0.01 to 2.50 kg and 2.5 to 4.5, respectively. Geometric mean of total mercury ranged from 0.21 to 0.50 mg/kg; maximum in golden snapper (0.90 mg/kg). Only 9 % of the samples exceeded the JECFA recommendation. Multiple linear regression found demersal, high trophic (≥4.0) and heavier fishes to accumulate more mercury in muscles (R 2 = 27.3 %), controlling for all other factors. About 47 % of the fish samples contributed to mercury intake above the provisional tolerable level (45 μg/day). While only a small portion exceeded the JECFA fish Hg guideline, the concentration reported may be alarming for heavy consumers. Attention should be given in risk management to avoid demersal and high trophic fish, predominantly heavier ones

Uses and gratification of the star online facebook page

News organizations starts using social media as news delivery channels and audience reach. The star is one of the leading newspapers in the country and utilize the social media to communicate with the readers with >200,000 likes. The present study aimed to test the perceptions on four factors of gratification (contribution, discovery, social interaction and entertainment) among the star online Facebook page likers. A total 92 Facebook users was selected randomly from list of personal liked the page. A set of web-based questionnaire was email to the respondent’s Facebook personal messaging system. Results show that television and newspaper are still being utilized despite the emerging of online news media portals in the country. Furthermore, entertainment is the top most priority for an individual to assess to media. There were three uses and gratification factors extracted. Users acknowledged that they valued the star online Facebook page because it helped them to keep up with the unexpected stories around the world and provide entertaining news. While social interaction has always affected the dissemination of news, the study suggests that social media are becoming central to the way people experience news. The study contributes to our understanding of the evolving relationship between the organization’s online media tool and the audience

Investigation of potential toxic effects of construction waste runoff collected from illegal dumping site using brine shrimp and zebrafish models

Urbanization results in the increment of construction waste, which eventually contaminate the surrounding environment and affects the ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the potential toxic effects of construction waste runoff collected from an illegal construction waste dumping site, Kampung Sungai Pelong, Malaysia by using brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). The runoff sample collected in January 2018 proceeded with the physicochemical test, heavy metal analysis and bio-toxicity study. Several physicochemical properties (BOD, TSS, NH3-N and NO3-) and heavy metal content (Cu>Cd>Ni>As>Pb>Cr>Hg) of runoff had values significantly exceeding the respective Class IIA Malaysia National Water Quality Standards. No mortality and abnormal swimming behaviour were observed for brine shrimp acute assay, but severely damage appendages and pigmentation were evident. In the zebrafish sub-acute assay, no constant trend of mortality was observed, but abnormal swimming pattern and alterations in gill tissue (cell vacuolation and clubbed tips). The results signify the potential eco-toxicity caused by construction waste runoff and urge the need for long-term toxicity study and strict legislative actions by the local authority

Acute toxicity and teratogenic impacts of construction waste runoff on zebrafish embryo

Construction waste is on rise in developing country; heavy metals in construction waste may harm environment and residents. The aim of this research was to study the toxicity and teratogenicity of construction waste runoff by using zebrqfish embryo. The heavy metal analysis shows that the concentrations of Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb have exceeded the Malaysian Water Quality Standard. At 100% runoff, 92% and 74% of the zebrqfish embryo showed curve trunk and head malformation respectively, and yolk sac edema (19.8±6.1%) and pericardial edema (61.5±0.86%). This suggest that construction waste runoff was contaminated with heavy metals and teratogenic