Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police

Introduction: Malaysian traffic police are always working on the public roads to alleviate traffic congestion and therefore exposed them to the polluted air every day. In particular, polluted air containing PM2.5 is dangerous to their respiratory health as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, lea...

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Main Authors: Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira, Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana, Hashim, Nurul Maizura, Karuppiah, Karmegam, Rasdi, Irniza, Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri, How, Vivien, Sambasivam, Sivasankar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2019
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76443/1/2019121207402819_MJMHS_0265.pdf
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author Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira
Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana
Hashim, Nurul Maizura
Karuppiah, Karmegam
Rasdi, Irniza
Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri
How, Vivien
Sambasivam, Sivasankar
author_facet Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira
Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana
Hashim, Nurul Maizura
Karuppiah, Karmegam
Rasdi, Irniza
Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri
How, Vivien
Sambasivam, Sivasankar
author_sort Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira
collection UPM
description Introduction: Malaysian traffic police are always working on the public roads to alleviate traffic congestion and therefore exposed them to the polluted air every day. In particular, polluted air containing PM2.5 is dangerous to their respiratory health as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to bronchitis, lung cancer and many more. Hence, this research examined the relationship of personal exposure level to PM2.5 with respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Methods: 134 participants among traffic policemen were agreed to participate in this study. They were requested to complete a questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic back-ground and respiratory health information. The questionnaire was adopted from International Union Against Tuberculosis Lung Diseases (1986). Personal exposure level of PM2.5 was measured using an air pump with 5.0μm pore size PVC filter. Results: The mean exposure level of PM2.5 among traffic policemen was 28.69 μg/m3. It was found that some of them possess respiratory symptoms (Coughing 33.6%, Phlegm 25.4%, Wheezing 14.9% and Shortness of breath 32.1%). There was significant association detected at p-value < 0.05 in coughing. Despite, there was no significant association in other symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath. Conclusions: Traffic police were exposed to a relatively high level of PM2.5 (12.4 μg/m3 to 55.3 μg/m3) and showed symptoms of respiratory effects. Therefore, recognition of the risks connected with occupational lung disease and exposure monitoring must be a high priority. This baseline data can serve as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers in order to develop an occupational safety and health guideline for police officers as required by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994).
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spelling upm.eprints-764432020-02-04T04:53:29Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76443/ Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana Hashim, Nurul Maizura Karuppiah, Karmegam Rasdi, Irniza Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri How, Vivien Sambasivam, Sivasankar Introduction: Malaysian traffic police are always working on the public roads to alleviate traffic congestion and therefore exposed them to the polluted air every day. In particular, polluted air containing PM2.5 is dangerous to their respiratory health as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to bronchitis, lung cancer and many more. Hence, this research examined the relationship of personal exposure level to PM2.5 with respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. Methods: 134 participants among traffic policemen were agreed to participate in this study. They were requested to complete a questionnaire regarding the sociodemographic back-ground and respiratory health information. The questionnaire was adopted from International Union Against Tuberculosis Lung Diseases (1986). Personal exposure level of PM2.5 was measured using an air pump with 5.0μm pore size PVC filter. Results: The mean exposure level of PM2.5 among traffic policemen was 28.69 μg/m3. It was found that some of them possess respiratory symptoms (Coughing 33.6%, Phlegm 25.4%, Wheezing 14.9% and Shortness of breath 32.1%). There was significant association detected at p-value < 0.05 in coughing. Despite, there was no significant association in other symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath. Conclusions: Traffic police were exposed to a relatively high level of PM2.5 (12.4 μg/m3 to 55.3 μg/m3) and showed symptoms of respiratory effects. Therefore, recognition of the risks connected with occupational lung disease and exposure monitoring must be a high priority. This baseline data can serve as a reference to the top management of traffic police officers in order to develop an occupational safety and health guideline for police officers as required by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994). Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 2019 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76443/1/2019121207402819_MJMHS_0265.pdf Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira and Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana and Hashim, Nurul Maizura and Karuppiah, Karmegam and Rasdi, Irniza and Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri and How, Vivien and Sambasivam, Sivasankar (2019) Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 15 (SP4). pp. 136-140. ISSN 1675-8544; ESSN: 2636-9346 https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/2019121207402819_MJMHS_0265.pdf
spellingShingle Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira
Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana
Hashim, Nurul Maizura
Karuppiah, Karmegam
Rasdi, Irniza
Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri
How, Vivien
Sambasivam, Sivasankar
Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title_full Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title_fullStr Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title_full_unstemmed Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title_short Respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among Malaysian traffic police
title_sort respiratory effects of exposure to high levels of particulate among malaysian traffic police
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/76443/1/2019121207402819_MJMHS_0265.pdf
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