184 research outputs found
Lead and Cadmium Content of Total Suspended Particulates in the Atmosphere over the Klang Valley
Five sites (urban, suburban, new township, industrial, and rural) were selected
and sampled for total suspended particulates (TSP) using high-volume samplers.
The TSP were then analysed for their lead and cadmium content in 3
extraction fractions. While the most polluted sites for atmospheric lead and
cadmium were different, namely the BBP (Pudu Fire Station) urban and UPM
(Universiti Pertanian Malaysia) suburban sites, respectively, the least polluted site
was the same for both metals, namely the KSM (Sungai Merab Village) rural site.
Comparisons of the temporal distribution patterns of TSP, lead and cadmium
indicate that variation in TSP concentrations does not seem to influence variations
in lead and cadmium concentrations. Analysis of fractionation patterns suggests
that the BBP urban site has slightly higher percentages of anthropogenic lead
and cadmium from fresh sources than the other sites
Comparison of Lung Functions Among Asthmatic Children in Malaysia
A comparative study was conducted on 163 asthmatic children from Kuala
Lumpur (polluted area) and 38 asthmatic children from Terengganu (less
polluted area). The objective of this study was to compare the lung functions
of the asthmatic children between the 2 sexes and study areas. Questionnaires
and diary cards were used to obtain background information and frequency of
asthma attacks. A spirometer was used to measure lung functions of the
asthmatic children. Findings showed that there was a significant difference in
the FEV,% predicted (p=0.002), FEV/FVC % predicted (p =0.001) and the
%FEV/FVC (p=0.002) between male children in the two areas. However, only
the FEV,% predicted (p=O.Oll) was significantly different between the female
children in the two areas. Significant correlation was also found between the
frequency of asthma attacks with FEV)% predicted (p=0.008), FEV/FVC %
predicted (p=O.OOI) and % FEV/FVC (p=O.OOI) among the asthmatic children
Kuala Lumpur but no significant correlation was found among the asthmatic
children in Terengganu
Air quality and children's environmental health: is our future generation at risk?
The text discusses on the air quality with various types of pollutants which included primary and secondary gaseous pollutants, respirable particulate, lead and microbes. Health impacts on children such as respiratory symptoms, asthma, allergies, and impairment of the lung functions, cognitive, as well as hearing ability have been discussed as evidence from previous research findings in other countries generally and in Malaysia specifically.
Vulnerability of children to the gaseous ambient air pollutants were highlighted. The indoor air quality has also lately posed threats to children especially microbes in indoor environment. These microbes specifically fungus, caused allergic reactions as well as trigger asthmatic related symptoms to sensitive groups. With the increase of environmental threats such as climate change, air quality will deteriorate further which may amplify respiratory
diseases and health problems among children especially the urban poor. Health risk assessment as a tool, can be used to assess the risk, however, it has limitations and is not protective of children. The US EPA has developed a “A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children” document with the purpose of providing an overarching framework for a more complete
assessment of children’s exposure to environmental agents and the resulting potential health risks. The future direction spells out the responsibilities of parents, teachers, ministries and governmental roles in the protection of children’s health
Impact of climate change on air quality and public health in urban areas
This review discusses how climate undergo changes and the effect of climate change on air quality as well as public health. It also covers the inter relationship between climate and air quality. The air quality discussed here are in relation to the 5 criteria pollutants; ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM). Urban air pollution is the main concern due to higher anthropogenic activities in urban areas. The implications on health are also discussed. Mitigating measures are presented with the final conclusion
Implications of Shift Work on Health of Women Workers in an Electronic Factory
A study on the health effects of shift work among Malay workers was conducted at an electronic
factory in Hulu Kelang, Selangor. The comparative study was done on shift and regular workers. A
sample consisting of 100 shift workers which made up 20% of the' total shift work first, and 40 regular
workers which made up about 80% of the regular workers were selected. Firstly, purposive sampling
was done where all the respondents selected we.re unmarried Malay women who worked as production
operators. Later, simple random sampling was carried out to select the respondents. Data was collected
using questionaire based on the objectives. The respondents selected were in the age range, 1.9.- 22
years. The respondents had until secondary school level education and had been working from 1 - 5
years with a monthly income of about 400. Statistical tests revealed significant differences in
health of shift and regular workers. Shift work affects their sleeping patterns and·mealtime. The disturbance
has a negative impact on the physiology of the workers. Emotionally, the shift workers are not
satisfied with the working conditions as well as the working system. Besides' this, shift work also affects
the social activities of workers, such as recreation, relationship~ with other members of the family,
relatives and friends
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
Blood lead levels of urban and rural Malaysian primary school children
The objective of this article is to study the influence of exposure and socio-economic variables on the blood lead level of Malaysian school children. Data on respirable lead and blood lead of 346 school children were obtained from Kuala Lumpur (urban), Kemaman (semi-urban) and Setiu (rural). Respirable lead and blood lead were highest for Kuala Lumpur (95 ng/m3 and 5.26 μg/dL) followed by Kemaman (27 ng/m3 and 2.81μg/dL) and Setiu (15 ng/m3 and 2.49 μg/dL), and the differences were statistically significant. The percentage of school children with excessive blood lead of 10 μg/dL or greater was 6.36 % overall, and highest for Kuala Lumpur (11.73 %). Regression analyses show that urban children are at higher risk of exhibiting excessive blood lead levels. Kuala Lumpur's school children have a 25 times greater risk of having excessive blood lead levels when compared to Kemaman's and Setiu's school children. Respirable and blood lead were correlated (r=0.999, p=0.021). Urban school children acquire higher blood lead levels than their rural and semi-urban counterparts, even after controlling for age, sex, parents' education and income levels. In conclusion, it is time that lead in the Malaysian environment and population be monitored closely, especially its temporal and spatial variability. Only then can a comprehensive preventive strategy be implemented
The influence of low blood lead concentrations on the cognitive and physical development of primary school children in Malaysia
This study aimed to determine the relationship between blood lead (BPb) concentrations and cognitive and physical development in school children. A total of 169 urban children and 100 industrial children of Malay ethnicity, in the age range of 6½ to 8½ years, were selected. BPb was determined using GF atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean cognitive score (102.55) of the children from the industrial area was significantly higher than that of the urban children (95.09; P < .001). However, no significant differences were found in the BPb levels between the 2 groups (industrial, 3.75 µg/dL; urban, 3.56 µg/dL). There was significant inverse correlation between BPb and cognitive scores for all children (P < .05). The cognitive scores for all children were influenced by BPb after adjustments (P < .05). The urban children had significantly better Weight for Height and Left Arm Circumference values than those from industrial area. There was no significant correlation between BPb and the anthropometric measurements. In conclusion, low BPb influenced the cognitive development, whereas physical development was not affected
Climate change, extreme weather events, and human health implications in the Asia Pacific region
The Asia Pacific region is regarded as the most disaster-prone area of the world. Since 2000, 1.2 billion people have been exposed to hydrometeorological hazards alone through 1215 disaster events. The impacts of climate change on meteorological phenomena and environmental consequences are well documented. However, the impacts on health are more elusive. Nevertheless, climate change is believed to alter weather patterns on the regional scale, giving rise to extreme weather events. The impacts from extreme weather events are definitely more acute and traumatic in nature, leading to deaths and injuries, as well as debilitating and fatal communicable diseases. Extreme weather events include heat waves, cold waves, floods, droughts, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, heavy rain, and snowfalls. Globally, within the 20-year period from 1993 to 2012, more than 530 000 people died as a direct result of almost 15 000 extreme weather events, with losses of more than US$2.5 trillion in purchasing power parity
- …