Juliana Jalaludin | UPM - Universiti Putra Malaysia (original) (raw)
Papers by Juliana Jalaludin
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
Journal of Public Health Research
Background: Indoor air pollution has globally known as the risk factor of acute respiratory infec... more Background: Indoor air pollution has globally known as the risk factor of acute respiratory infection in young children. The exposure to indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at house or school can be a potential risk to children’s health. This study aimed to examine the association between indoor PM2.5 and NO2 with oxidative stress markers in junior high school students.Design and Method: This study was conducted using a cross sectional study with 75 students collected randomly from four junior high schools in Jakarta. PM2.5 and NO2 were measured in classrooms and school yards. The schools were categorized based on the exposure level of PM2.5 and NO2 in classrooms. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were examined from the blood sample. All students were interviewed with questionnaires to determine upper respiratory tract infection, smoking family members, mosquito repellent usage, and dietary supplement consumption.Results: Mean co...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxid... more Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and indoor air pollutants, but limited information available of the risks between schools located in suburban and urban areas. We therefore investigated the association of FeNO levels with indoor particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure in suburban and urban school areas. A comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken among secondary school students in eight schools located in the suburban and urban areas in the district of Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 470 school children (aged 14 years old) were randomly selected, their FeNO levels were measured, and allergic skin prick tests were conducted. The PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative humidity were measured inside the classrooms. We found that the median of FeNO in the school children from urban areas (22.0 ppb, IQR = 32.0) were slightly higher as ...
The Indonesian Journal Of Occupational Safety and Health, 2021
Introduction: Benzene is a carcinogenic compound that can be found in a car painting workshop in ... more Introduction: Benzene is a carcinogenic compound that can be found in a car painting workshop in Surabaya. The source of benzene in the car painting workshop comes from thinners. Inhalation is the main route for benzene to enter the body. The duration of benzene exposure can affect the accumulation of benzene concentrations. If work safety is not considered, the benzene compound can cause the liver disease. Furthermore, SGOT and SGPT are basic parameters of liver function. The study aims to determine the relationship between the duration of benzene exposure with SGOT and SGPT levels in car painting workshop workers. Method: observational research with a cross-sectional approach was applied as the method of this study. The research was conducted in a car painting workshop in 2019 with 20 workers. The variables were the duration of benzene exposure (hours/day) and levels of SGOT and SGPT. Data analysis used the Fisher's Exact Test and Coefficient Contingency test. Results: Workers...
Burning mosquito coils indoors generates smoke that can control mosquitoes effectively. This prac... more Burning mosquito coils indoors generates smoke that can control mosquitoes effectively. This practice is currently used in numerous households in Asia, Africa, and South America. However, the smoke may contain pollutants of health concern. We conducted the present study to characterize the emissions from four common brands of mosquito coils from China and two common brands from Malaysia. We used mass balance equations to determine emission rates of fine particles (particulate matter < 2.5 µm in diameter; PM 2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aldehydes, and ketones. Having applied these measured emission rates to predict indoor concentrations under realistic room conditions, we found that pollutant concentrations resulting from burning mosquito coils could substantially exceed health-based air quality standards or guidelines. Under the same combustion conditions, the tested Malaysian mosquito coils generated more measured pollutants than did the tested Chinese mosquito...
A huge amount of cars in the city, mostly heavy traffic jam during rush hours may cause air pollu... more A huge amount of cars in the city, mostly heavy traffic jam during rush hours may cause air pollution. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that exposure to PM2.5 decreases the lung function among children living near busy road.The aim of this study was to determine the exposure of indoor PM2.5 and lung function among children living near busy road, and comparative group of children living near less busy road in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Purposive sampling method was used where the samples selected were those who fulfilled the inclusive criteria for each location studied. Personal and socio-demography background, and other related information were adopted from standardized and structured questionnaire of American Thoracic Society. Air sampling pumps based on gravimetric principle were used to measure indoor PM2.5 in the respondents’ house. Lung function was measured using Chest Graph Spirometry. There was a significant difference of indoor PM2.5, lung function abnormality and ...
Exposure to traffic air pollutant have shown a significant health effect on respiratory systems a... more Exposure to traffic air pollutant have shown a significant health effect on respiratory systems and decreased in lung function among traffic policemen. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationships between personal exposure levels to PM2.5 and respiratory health among traffic policemen working at Traffic Police Station in Kuala Lumpur and general duty policemen attached to Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 50 traffic policemen from Traffic Police Station Kuala Lumpur and 50 general duty policemen from Police Headquarters Bukit Aman as comparative group. A purposive sampling method was used to select the respondents based on inclusive criteria such as age between 25 to 60 years, no history of respiratory disease and working not less than 3 years as traffic policemen. Questionnaire based on ATS (1978) was used to collect information on socio-demographic and respiratory symptoms. Spirometer (Spirolab II Model)...
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT, 2021
The use of biomass fuels in palm oil boilers produces pollutants into the air, such as particulat... more The use of biomass fuels in palm oil boilers produces pollutants into the air, such as particulate matter (PM). PM has been linked to many respiratory health symptoms in humans, especially children. This study aims to determine the exposure of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air and its association with respiratory symptoms and lung function implications among children in Semenyih, Selangor. A cross-sectional study was carried out among primary school children in Hulu Langat and Semenyih, Selangor. Eighty-six children from two primary schools in Hulu Langat were selected for the comparative group, while 50 children from two primary schools in Semenyih were selected for the study group. 30 and 32 houses were selected as study and comparative sites. A validated questionnaire from American Thoracic Society (ATS-DLD-78-C) was used to determine respondents' background, previous illnesses and respiratory symptoms. PM 10 and PM 2.5 were measured in schools and houses using the TSI DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor Model 8534 and Escort LC Personal Sampling Pump. A spirometer was used to obtain lung function status among children. Analysis showed high levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 recorded in schools and houses of the study areas at p<0.05. The highest concentrations of PM 10 (mean: 117.13 µg/m 3) and PM 2.5 (mean: 76.22 117.13 µg/m 3) in a school were detected in S2, located 650m from the palm oil plant. High levels of PM 10 (PR=14.24, 95% CI=4.17-48.53) and PM 2.5 (PR=30.0, 95% CI=5.936-151.62) were found in houses in the study area (p<0.05). Significant levels of all respiratory health symptoms in schools were recorded at p<0.05 for cough (PR=2.90, 95% CI=1.24-6.80), phlegm (PR=9.72, 95% CI=2.61-36.16), wheezing (PR=6.30, 95% CI=2.11-18.81) and chest tightness (PR=8.74, 95% CI=2.33-32.77). High levels of PM 10 were significantly associated with cough (p=0.013, PR=4.72, 95% CI=1.43-15.59) and wheezing (p=0.029, PR=4.83, 95% CI=1.18-19.80) in houses. Cough (p=0.02, PR=6.43, 95% CI=1.26-32.83) and phlegm (p=0.049, PR=7.75, 95% CI=0.87-68.77) symptoms were associated with the high exposure to PM 2.5 in houses. Significant lung function abnormalities of FVC, FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC were found among children in the study group (p<0.05). PM 10 had significant inverse relationship with FVC% (p=0.018, r=-0.332) and FEV 1 % (p=0.001, r=-0.438) parameters, while PM 2.5 had a significant inverse correlation with FEV 1 % (p=0.049, r=-0.042). Concentration of PM 10 has been identified as a factor influencing the FVC (p=0.028, PR=1.02, 95% CI=1.002-1.038) and FEV 1 (p=0.023, PR=1.018, 95% CI=1.002-1.035) lung function status after controlling all confounders. This study concludes that palm oil plants release large amounts of PM 10 and PM 2.5 into the air and have increased the risk of lung function abnormalities and respiratory illnesses among children who live near this industrial site.
Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, 2021
Methylmercury (MeHg) is one type of mercury (Hg) species known to be very toxic to humans, especi... more Methylmercury (MeHg) is one type of mercury (Hg) species known to be very toxic to humans, especially pregnant women and their fetuses. This study aims to obtain and validate the optimum condition of liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS) to test MeHg concentration. To date, there is limited research that is focused on the maternal blood MeHg samples using LC-ICP-MS in Malaysia. Before analysis, collected blood (500 µL) was placed into a 15 mL polypropylene test tube, followed by the addition of extractant solution [0.10% (v/v) HCl + 0.05% (m/v) L-cysteine + 0.10% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol] to the sample and sonicated for 15 minutes. The MeHg level was detected from the sample solution using the LC with Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (4.6 x 12.5 mm, 5 µm) (Agilent Technologies) guard column and analytical column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 µm) and was quantified by using the ICP-MS. The recovery of MeHg was in the range of 106 to 112% with RSD of less than 10...
Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2020
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) are currently increasing due to the increment of vehicle n... more Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) are currently increasing due to the increment of vehicle numbers in Malaysia. The emission of pollutants from these vehicles have genotoxic properties that can potentially induce genetic damage in human. In this study, micronuclei assay is used to determine the potential genotoxic exposure by assessing the presence of micronuclei frequency (MN) in buccal cells. The specific objective of this study is to determine the association between TRAPs and frequency of MN among school children in Klang Valley. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school children (9-11 years old) in high-density traffic area (n = 94, Kuala Lumpur) and low-density traffic area (n = 94, Hulu Langat). A questionnaire was distributed to the parents to obtain respiratory symptoms information. Buccal cells were analyzed to determine the frequency of micronuclei. Air quality assessment was carried out in a total of 6 schools (consisted of exposed and comparative groups) by using TSI DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8534 for measurement of PM2.5 and PM10, LaMotte's Model BD Air Sampling Pump for measurement of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2), ppbRAE 3000 for total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and TSI Q-TRAK 7565 for measurement of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, TVOC and CO at exposed schools were significantly higher (p < 0.005). compared to those in comparative schools. All pollutants were significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory symptom phlegm and MN frequency. Additionally, the MN frequency in the exposed group was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the comparative group. All in all, this study demonstrated that air pollutants, especially NO2 and CO, have significantly influenced the MN frequency among children in primary schools. This study suggested that exposure to TRAPs among Malaysian school children has increased the risk for respiratory complications with the formation of MN.
Tropical biomedicine, 2007
Indoor fungal reservoirs, particularly airborne Penicillium species, were identified throughout t... more Indoor fungal reservoirs, particularly airborne Penicillium species, were identified throughout the ventilation system of the building and dissemination of fungi from those reservoirs was found to be occurring all the time. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between air concentration of indoor mould (Penicillium) and allergy symptoms among office workers. The study design used in this research was a cross-sectional study. Risk factors were identified through the questionnaire survey. Office workers were selected based on the proximity of their workstations to the microbiological air sampler used for the mould sampling. Results from the current study suggests that individual susceptibility of exposed subjects might be influenced by several factors associated with mould exposure; for example, inhaled mycotoxins or volatile organic compounds, which may, in some complex way, affect the immune response. This study provides the much needed preliminary baseline ...
American Journal of Applied Sciences, 2014
Poor indoor air quality can be particularly harmful to children and interfere with the growth of ... more Poor indoor air quality can be particularly harmful to children and interfere with the growth of their lung function as they spend much of their time indoors. In order to understand the mechanism of exposure in the airways, biomarkers were used as a surrogate for biological responses towards indoor air pollutants. This study aims to investigate the association between indoor air pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2) among school children in different area of urban and rural site in Klang Valley. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 430 healthy schoolchildren from a national primary school. Methods involved questionnaires based on American Thoracic Society and sputum samples for biomarkers assay. Indoor exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 (Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor) and NO 2 (LaMotte Air Sampler) were measured in the classroom. Mean concentration of PM 2.5 (50.72 µg/m 3) in urban schools were significantly higher compared to rural (28.36 µg/m 3) school. Similar trend found in indoor level of PM 10 in urban and rural schools with 87.04 µg/m 3 and 56.76 µg/m 3 respectively. The mean exposure level of NO 2 of urban schools (0.12 ppm) is nearly 4 times higher than the level in rural areas (0.032 ppm). A significant association was found between indoor air concentrations (PM 2.5 and PM 10) with TNF-alpha level. Children from rural areas are exposed to less air pollutants compared to those from urban area and this study also suggests that higher exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2 are associated with increasing of TNF-alpha level.
BioMed Research International, 2015
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to its adverse health effects... more Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to its adverse health effects on children.Methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among Malay children in Balakong (2 studied preschools) and Bangi (2 comparative preschools), Selangor, with the aims of determining IAQ and its association with respiratory health. 61 and 50 children aged 5-6 years were selected as studied and comparative groups. A questionnaire was used to obtain an exposure history and respiratory symptoms. Lung function test was carried out. IAQ parameters obtained include indoor concentration of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, air velocity (AV), and relative humidity.Results. There was a significant difference between IAQ in studied and comparative preschools for all parameters measured(P<0.001)except for CO2and AV. Studied preschools had higher PM and CO concentration. FVC, FEV1, FVC% and ...
Rev Environ Health 2022; aop, 2022
Objectives: Environmental risk factors contribute to 24% of the global burden of disease from all... more Objectives: Environmental risk factors contribute to 24% of the global burden of disease from all causes in disability adjusted life years (DALYs), and to 23%of all global deaths. Malaysia being an advanced developing country, there is a need to prioritise environmental health issues to enable environmental health practitioners to focus on the most significant and urgent environmental health concerns. Content: This project was undertaken by a Thematic Working Group on Environmental Health Experts (TWG 10) under the Malaysian National Environmental Health Action Plan. Sixteen pre-selected environmental health issues were presented to a two focus group discussions among 20 environmental health and related professionals who then scored each issue on its magnitude and severity scale. Summary: The total of these scores generated a list of priority environmental health issues for Malaysia. Children environmental health came out as the environmental health issue of the highest priority. Outlook: We hope that this list of priority environmental health issues will be used for prioritising academic and professional manpower training, research funding allocation and planning for intervention programmes by various stakeholders.
Background: Petrochemical industry emits air pollutants in abundance, which may harm human health... more Background: Petrochemical industry emits air pollutants in abundance, which may harm human health, especially the population living near the industry. Children are reported to be the population group of main concern since this susceptible population spends the majority of their time outdoors and their active lifestyle can increase their breathing rate, which then leads to a greater inhalation dose of air pollutants and greater risk of health effects. Method: The materials for this review were obtained from several on-line databases such as PubMed, Proquest, Scopus and Science Direct (year 1990-2015). In this review, we highlighted several relevant studies on respiratory health effects from petrochemical air pollutant exposure among children living in the neighborhood and highlighted the factors, which contributed to the severity of the health outcomes. Results: Short term petrochemical air pollutant exposure increases respiratory symptom, reduces lung function and incidence of asthm...
Indoor air quality monitoring in various public premises such as school, day-care centre, office ... more Indoor air quality monitoring in various public premises such as school, day-care centre, office and industrial factory buildings has attracting many scientist, researchers as well as academicians. Since most people spends their daily activity outside their house, poor indoor air quality in all sort of location of public places can be related with their health and life comfort as human beings. This paper involved in monitoring the indoor air quality in two location of day-care centre. First location is Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, being the capital city of Malaysia. Second location is Selangor, which could be categories as suburban area. Temperature, humidity, air velocity, particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured as the parameters of indoor air quality in this study. Total 30 day-care centres in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were selected for this study. The monitoring was conducted during the day-care centre operating hours from 9am ...
Introduction: The production of ammonia has been increasing over the past few years. Unfortunatel... more Introduction: The production of ammonia has been increasing over the past few years. Unfortunately, the production does not follow the safety control of ammonia on workers. Indonesia still adopts chemical standard from other countries. Therefore, it requires an ammonia standard at the highest dose without effect or no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in the workplace. This research aims to determine standard at the highest dose of without effect through the expression of CD8 cells as well as analysis of histological alteration CD8 lymphocyte between exposed to ammonia group and control. Methods: The study was a laboratory experimental research with a post-test only control group design. The research used Rattus novergicus species as many as 24. NOAEL was determined by middle dose with a location between the smallest and the largest dose. The doses of ammonia were given through inhalation. The histological alteration of CD8 between ammonia in exposed and the control group were a...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) expo... more This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and histone H3 modification among school children in high-traffic (HT) and low-traffic (LT) areas in Malaysia. Respondents’ background information and personal exposure to traffic sources were obtained from questionnaires distributed to randomly selected school children. Real-time monitoring instruments were used for 6-h measurements of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Meanwhile, 24-h measurements of PM2.5-bound black carbon (BC) were performed using air sampling pumps. The salivary histone H3 level was captured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HT schools had significantly higher PM10, PM2.5, PM1, BC, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and TVOC than LT schools, all at p < 0.001. Children in the HT area were more likely to get higher histone H3 levels (z = −5.13). There were positive weak correlations between histone H3 level and c...
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
Journal of Public Health Research
Background: Indoor air pollution has globally known as the risk factor of acute respiratory infec... more Background: Indoor air pollution has globally known as the risk factor of acute respiratory infection in young children. The exposure to indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at house or school can be a potential risk to children’s health. This study aimed to examine the association between indoor PM2.5 and NO2 with oxidative stress markers in junior high school students.Design and Method: This study was conducted using a cross sectional study with 75 students collected randomly from four junior high schools in Jakarta. PM2.5 and NO2 were measured in classrooms and school yards. The schools were categorized based on the exposure level of PM2.5 and NO2 in classrooms. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were examined from the blood sample. All students were interviewed with questionnaires to determine upper respiratory tract infection, smoking family members, mosquito repellent usage, and dietary supplement consumption.Results: Mean co...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxid... more Numerous epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and indoor air pollutants, but limited information available of the risks between schools located in suburban and urban areas. We therefore investigated the association of FeNO levels with indoor particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure in suburban and urban school areas. A comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken among secondary school students in eight schools located in the suburban and urban areas in the district of Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 470 school children (aged 14 years old) were randomly selected, their FeNO levels were measured, and allergic skin prick tests were conducted. The PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative humidity were measured inside the classrooms. We found that the median of FeNO in the school children from urban areas (22.0 ppb, IQR = 32.0) were slightly higher as ...
The Indonesian Journal Of Occupational Safety and Health, 2021
Introduction: Benzene is a carcinogenic compound that can be found in a car painting workshop in ... more Introduction: Benzene is a carcinogenic compound that can be found in a car painting workshop in Surabaya. The source of benzene in the car painting workshop comes from thinners. Inhalation is the main route for benzene to enter the body. The duration of benzene exposure can affect the accumulation of benzene concentrations. If work safety is not considered, the benzene compound can cause the liver disease. Furthermore, SGOT and SGPT are basic parameters of liver function. The study aims to determine the relationship between the duration of benzene exposure with SGOT and SGPT levels in car painting workshop workers. Method: observational research with a cross-sectional approach was applied as the method of this study. The research was conducted in a car painting workshop in 2019 with 20 workers. The variables were the duration of benzene exposure (hours/day) and levels of SGOT and SGPT. Data analysis used the Fisher's Exact Test and Coefficient Contingency test. Results: Workers...
Burning mosquito coils indoors generates smoke that can control mosquitoes effectively. This prac... more Burning mosquito coils indoors generates smoke that can control mosquitoes effectively. This practice is currently used in numerous households in Asia, Africa, and South America. However, the smoke may contain pollutants of health concern. We conducted the present study to characterize the emissions from four common brands of mosquito coils from China and two common brands from Malaysia. We used mass balance equations to determine emission rates of fine particles (particulate matter < 2.5 µm in diameter; PM 2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aldehydes, and ketones. Having applied these measured emission rates to predict indoor concentrations under realistic room conditions, we found that pollutant concentrations resulting from burning mosquito coils could substantially exceed health-based air quality standards or guidelines. Under the same combustion conditions, the tested Malaysian mosquito coils generated more measured pollutants than did the tested Chinese mosquito...
A huge amount of cars in the city, mostly heavy traffic jam during rush hours may cause air pollu... more A huge amount of cars in the city, mostly heavy traffic jam during rush hours may cause air pollution. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that exposure to PM2.5 decreases the lung function among children living near busy road.The aim of this study was to determine the exposure of indoor PM2.5 and lung function among children living near busy road, and comparative group of children living near less busy road in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Purposive sampling method was used where the samples selected were those who fulfilled the inclusive criteria for each location studied. Personal and socio-demography background, and other related information were adopted from standardized and structured questionnaire of American Thoracic Society. Air sampling pumps based on gravimetric principle were used to measure indoor PM2.5 in the respondents’ house. Lung function was measured using Chest Graph Spirometry. There was a significant difference of indoor PM2.5, lung function abnormality and ...
Exposure to traffic air pollutant have shown a significant health effect on respiratory systems a... more Exposure to traffic air pollutant have shown a significant health effect on respiratory systems and decreased in lung function among traffic policemen. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationships between personal exposure levels to PM2.5 and respiratory health among traffic policemen working at Traffic Police Station in Kuala Lumpur and general duty policemen attached to Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 50 traffic policemen from Traffic Police Station Kuala Lumpur and 50 general duty policemen from Police Headquarters Bukit Aman as comparative group. A purposive sampling method was used to select the respondents based on inclusive criteria such as age between 25 to 60 years, no history of respiratory disease and working not less than 3 years as traffic policemen. Questionnaire based on ATS (1978) was used to collect information on socio-demographic and respiratory symptoms. Spirometer (Spirolab II Model)...
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT, 2021
The use of biomass fuels in palm oil boilers produces pollutants into the air, such as particulat... more The use of biomass fuels in palm oil boilers produces pollutants into the air, such as particulate matter (PM). PM has been linked to many respiratory health symptoms in humans, especially children. This study aims to determine the exposure of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air and its association with respiratory symptoms and lung function implications among children in Semenyih, Selangor. A cross-sectional study was carried out among primary school children in Hulu Langat and Semenyih, Selangor. Eighty-six children from two primary schools in Hulu Langat were selected for the comparative group, while 50 children from two primary schools in Semenyih were selected for the study group. 30 and 32 houses were selected as study and comparative sites. A validated questionnaire from American Thoracic Society (ATS-DLD-78-C) was used to determine respondents' background, previous illnesses and respiratory symptoms. PM 10 and PM 2.5 were measured in schools and houses using the TSI DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor Model 8534 and Escort LC Personal Sampling Pump. A spirometer was used to obtain lung function status among children. Analysis showed high levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 recorded in schools and houses of the study areas at p<0.05. The highest concentrations of PM 10 (mean: 117.13 µg/m 3) and PM 2.5 (mean: 76.22 117.13 µg/m 3) in a school were detected in S2, located 650m from the palm oil plant. High levels of PM 10 (PR=14.24, 95% CI=4.17-48.53) and PM 2.5 (PR=30.0, 95% CI=5.936-151.62) were found in houses in the study area (p<0.05). Significant levels of all respiratory health symptoms in schools were recorded at p<0.05 for cough (PR=2.90, 95% CI=1.24-6.80), phlegm (PR=9.72, 95% CI=2.61-36.16), wheezing (PR=6.30, 95% CI=2.11-18.81) and chest tightness (PR=8.74, 95% CI=2.33-32.77). High levels of PM 10 were significantly associated with cough (p=0.013, PR=4.72, 95% CI=1.43-15.59) and wheezing (p=0.029, PR=4.83, 95% CI=1.18-19.80) in houses. Cough (p=0.02, PR=6.43, 95% CI=1.26-32.83) and phlegm (p=0.049, PR=7.75, 95% CI=0.87-68.77) symptoms were associated with the high exposure to PM 2.5 in houses. Significant lung function abnormalities of FVC, FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC were found among children in the study group (p<0.05). PM 10 had significant inverse relationship with FVC% (p=0.018, r=-0.332) and FEV 1 % (p=0.001, r=-0.438) parameters, while PM 2.5 had a significant inverse correlation with FEV 1 % (p=0.049, r=-0.042). Concentration of PM 10 has been identified as a factor influencing the FVC (p=0.028, PR=1.02, 95% CI=1.002-1.038) and FEV 1 (p=0.023, PR=1.018, 95% CI=1.002-1.035) lung function status after controlling all confounders. This study concludes that palm oil plants release large amounts of PM 10 and PM 2.5 into the air and have increased the risk of lung function abnormalities and respiratory illnesses among children who live near this industrial site.
Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, 2021
Methylmercury (MeHg) is one type of mercury (Hg) species known to be very toxic to humans, especi... more Methylmercury (MeHg) is one type of mercury (Hg) species known to be very toxic to humans, especially pregnant women and their fetuses. This study aims to obtain and validate the optimum condition of liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS) to test MeHg concentration. To date, there is limited research that is focused on the maternal blood MeHg samples using LC-ICP-MS in Malaysia. Before analysis, collected blood (500 µL) was placed into a 15 mL polypropylene test tube, followed by the addition of extractant solution [0.10% (v/v) HCl + 0.05% (m/v) L-cysteine + 0.10% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol] to the sample and sonicated for 15 minutes. The MeHg level was detected from the sample solution using the LC with Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 (4.6 x 12.5 mm, 5 µm) (Agilent Technologies) guard column and analytical column (4.6 x 150 mm, 5 µm) and was quantified by using the ICP-MS. The recovery of MeHg was in the range of 106 to 112% with RSD of less than 10...
Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2020
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) are currently increasing due to the increment of vehicle n... more Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) are currently increasing due to the increment of vehicle numbers in Malaysia. The emission of pollutants from these vehicles have genotoxic properties that can potentially induce genetic damage in human. In this study, micronuclei assay is used to determine the potential genotoxic exposure by assessing the presence of micronuclei frequency (MN) in buccal cells. The specific objective of this study is to determine the association between TRAPs and frequency of MN among school children in Klang Valley. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school children (9-11 years old) in high-density traffic area (n = 94, Kuala Lumpur) and low-density traffic area (n = 94, Hulu Langat). A questionnaire was distributed to the parents to obtain respiratory symptoms information. Buccal cells were analyzed to determine the frequency of micronuclei. Air quality assessment was carried out in a total of 6 schools (consisted of exposed and comparative groups) by using TSI DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8534 for measurement of PM2.5 and PM10, LaMotte's Model BD Air Sampling Pump for measurement of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2), ppbRAE 3000 for total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and TSI Q-TRAK 7565 for measurement of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, TVOC and CO at exposed schools were significantly higher (p < 0.005). compared to those in comparative schools. All pollutants were significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory symptom phlegm and MN frequency. Additionally, the MN frequency in the exposed group was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the comparative group. All in all, this study demonstrated that air pollutants, especially NO2 and CO, have significantly influenced the MN frequency among children in primary schools. This study suggested that exposure to TRAPs among Malaysian school children has increased the risk for respiratory complications with the formation of MN.
Tropical biomedicine, 2007
Indoor fungal reservoirs, particularly airborne Penicillium species, were identified throughout t... more Indoor fungal reservoirs, particularly airborne Penicillium species, were identified throughout the ventilation system of the building and dissemination of fungi from those reservoirs was found to be occurring all the time. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between air concentration of indoor mould (Penicillium) and allergy symptoms among office workers. The study design used in this research was a cross-sectional study. Risk factors were identified through the questionnaire survey. Office workers were selected based on the proximity of their workstations to the microbiological air sampler used for the mould sampling. Results from the current study suggests that individual susceptibility of exposed subjects might be influenced by several factors associated with mould exposure; for example, inhaled mycotoxins or volatile organic compounds, which may, in some complex way, affect the immune response. This study provides the much needed preliminary baseline ...
American Journal of Applied Sciences, 2014
Poor indoor air quality can be particularly harmful to children and interfere with the growth of ... more Poor indoor air quality can be particularly harmful to children and interfere with the growth of their lung function as they spend much of their time indoors. In order to understand the mechanism of exposure in the airways, biomarkers were used as a surrogate for biological responses towards indoor air pollutants. This study aims to investigate the association between indoor air pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2) among school children in different area of urban and rural site in Klang Valley. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 430 healthy schoolchildren from a national primary school. Methods involved questionnaires based on American Thoracic Society and sputum samples for biomarkers assay. Indoor exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 (Dust Trak Aerosol Monitor) and NO 2 (LaMotte Air Sampler) were measured in the classroom. Mean concentration of PM 2.5 (50.72 µg/m 3) in urban schools were significantly higher compared to rural (28.36 µg/m 3) school. Similar trend found in indoor level of PM 10 in urban and rural schools with 87.04 µg/m 3 and 56.76 µg/m 3 respectively. The mean exposure level of NO 2 of urban schools (0.12 ppm) is nearly 4 times higher than the level in rural areas (0.032 ppm). A significant association was found between indoor air concentrations (PM 2.5 and PM 10) with TNF-alpha level. Children from rural areas are exposed to less air pollutants compared to those from urban area and this study also suggests that higher exposure to PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2 are associated with increasing of TNF-alpha level.
BioMed Research International, 2015
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to its adverse health effects... more Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to its adverse health effects on children.Methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among Malay children in Balakong (2 studied preschools) and Bangi (2 comparative preschools), Selangor, with the aims of determining IAQ and its association with respiratory health. 61 and 50 children aged 5-6 years were selected as studied and comparative groups. A questionnaire was used to obtain an exposure history and respiratory symptoms. Lung function test was carried out. IAQ parameters obtained include indoor concentration of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, air velocity (AV), and relative humidity.Results. There was a significant difference between IAQ in studied and comparative preschools for all parameters measured(P<0.001)except for CO2and AV. Studied preschools had higher PM and CO concentration. FVC, FEV1, FVC% and ...
Rev Environ Health 2022; aop, 2022
Objectives: Environmental risk factors contribute to 24% of the global burden of disease from all... more Objectives: Environmental risk factors contribute to 24% of the global burden of disease from all causes in disability adjusted life years (DALYs), and to 23%of all global deaths. Malaysia being an advanced developing country, there is a need to prioritise environmental health issues to enable environmental health practitioners to focus on the most significant and urgent environmental health concerns. Content: This project was undertaken by a Thematic Working Group on Environmental Health Experts (TWG 10) under the Malaysian National Environmental Health Action Plan. Sixteen pre-selected environmental health issues were presented to a two focus group discussions among 20 environmental health and related professionals who then scored each issue on its magnitude and severity scale. Summary: The total of these scores generated a list of priority environmental health issues for Malaysia. Children environmental health came out as the environmental health issue of the highest priority. Outlook: We hope that this list of priority environmental health issues will be used for prioritising academic and professional manpower training, research funding allocation and planning for intervention programmes by various stakeholders.
Background: Petrochemical industry emits air pollutants in abundance, which may harm human health... more Background: Petrochemical industry emits air pollutants in abundance, which may harm human health, especially the population living near the industry. Children are reported to be the population group of main concern since this susceptible population spends the majority of their time outdoors and their active lifestyle can increase their breathing rate, which then leads to a greater inhalation dose of air pollutants and greater risk of health effects. Method: The materials for this review were obtained from several on-line databases such as PubMed, Proquest, Scopus and Science Direct (year 1990-2015). In this review, we highlighted several relevant studies on respiratory health effects from petrochemical air pollutant exposure among children living in the neighborhood and highlighted the factors, which contributed to the severity of the health outcomes. Results: Short term petrochemical air pollutant exposure increases respiratory symptom, reduces lung function and incidence of asthm...
Indoor air quality monitoring in various public premises such as school, day-care centre, office ... more Indoor air quality monitoring in various public premises such as school, day-care centre, office and industrial factory buildings has attracting many scientist, researchers as well as academicians. Since most people spends their daily activity outside their house, poor indoor air quality in all sort of location of public places can be related with their health and life comfort as human beings. This paper involved in monitoring the indoor air quality in two location of day-care centre. First location is Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, being the capital city of Malaysia. Second location is Selangor, which could be categories as suburban area. Temperature, humidity, air velocity, particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured as the parameters of indoor air quality in this study. Total 30 day-care centres in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were selected for this study. The monitoring was conducted during the day-care centre operating hours from 9am ...
Introduction: The production of ammonia has been increasing over the past few years. Unfortunatel... more Introduction: The production of ammonia has been increasing over the past few years. Unfortunately, the production does not follow the safety control of ammonia on workers. Indonesia still adopts chemical standard from other countries. Therefore, it requires an ammonia standard at the highest dose without effect or no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in the workplace. This research aims to determine standard at the highest dose of without effect through the expression of CD8 cells as well as analysis of histological alteration CD8 lymphocyte between exposed to ammonia group and control. Methods: The study was a laboratory experimental research with a post-test only control group design. The research used Rattus novergicus species as many as 24. NOAEL was determined by middle dose with a location between the smallest and the largest dose. The doses of ammonia were given through inhalation. The histological alteration of CD8 between ammonia in exposed and the control group were a...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) expo... more This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and histone H3 modification among school children in high-traffic (HT) and low-traffic (LT) areas in Malaysia. Respondents’ background information and personal exposure to traffic sources were obtained from questionnaires distributed to randomly selected school children. Real-time monitoring instruments were used for 6-h measurements of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Meanwhile, 24-h measurements of PM2.5-bound black carbon (BC) were performed using air sampling pumps. The salivary histone H3 level was captured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HT schools had significantly higher PM10, PM2.5, PM1, BC, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and TVOC than LT schools, all at p < 0.001. Children in the HT area were more likely to get higher histone H3 levels (z = −5.13). There were positive weak correlations between histone H3 level and c...