Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals

Workers at bus terminal are exposed to harmful particulate matter (PM) from busexhausts through inhalation. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the association of PM with respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among workers at two bus terminals; Kota Bharu and Pe...

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Main Author: Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie
Format: Monograph
Language:English
Published: Universiti Sains Malaysia 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.usm.my/60441/
http://eprints.usm.my/60441/1/NURUL%20ZULAINIE%20BINTI%20ZULKEFLI%20-%20e.pdf
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author Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie
author_facet Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie
author_sort Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie
building USM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Workers at bus terminal are exposed to harmful particulate matter (PM) from busexhausts through inhalation. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the association of PM with respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among workers at two bus terminals; Kota Bharu and Pekeliling bus terminals. Eighty seven healthy workers were recruited as respondent from purposive sampling. Dustmate (Turnkey, England) and Humidity alert II Hygro-Thermometer (Extech, USA) were used to collect the PM, temperature, relative humidity and dew point, respectively. Environmental monitoring were conducted eight hours daily for fortnight at each locations. Reported respiratory symptoms were gathered by interview using a British Medical Research Council (MRC), UK questionnaires. The lung function status was measured using peak flow meter (Philips, Netherlands) to evaluate if there is a degree of airflow obstruction in the respondents’ airways. PM25and PM| were higher at Pekeliling bus terminal [PM25=18.4 (IQR: 14.2-24.5) pg/m3; PMi=6.95 (IQR: 4.9-9.6) pg/m3] compared to Kota Bharu bus terminal [PM2.s=14.4 (IQR: 9.2-24.1) pg/m3; PMi=5.41 (IQR: 2.8-10) pg/m3)] (p= 0.001). There was significant correlation between PM (PM2.s and PMi) with meteorological variables (temperature, humidity and dew point) (p=0.001). The commonest symptoms reported among the subjects was wheezing while in dusty place (65.5%, n=57). This study also found no significant different of PEFR reading between subjects from both locations (p>0.05). Besides, there is no correlation between PEFR readings with PM (p>0.05). Moderate correlation was found between PEFR reading with height (p=0.001, r=0.469) and body surface area (BSA) (p=0.001, r=0.446). Separated bus platform from ticket counter, retail shops and food stalls are the best way to reduce PM exposure among the workers.
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format Monograph
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institution Universiti Sains Malaysia
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language English
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publishDate 2015
publisher Universiti Sains Malaysia
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spelling usm-604412024-05-13T06:24:57Z http://eprints.usm.my/60441/ Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie R Medicine RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research Workers at bus terminal are exposed to harmful particulate matter (PM) from busexhausts through inhalation. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the association of PM with respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among workers at two bus terminals; Kota Bharu and Pekeliling bus terminals. Eighty seven healthy workers were recruited as respondent from purposive sampling. Dustmate (Turnkey, England) and Humidity alert II Hygro-Thermometer (Extech, USA) were used to collect the PM, temperature, relative humidity and dew point, respectively. Environmental monitoring were conducted eight hours daily for fortnight at each locations. Reported respiratory symptoms were gathered by interview using a British Medical Research Council (MRC), UK questionnaires. The lung function status was measured using peak flow meter (Philips, Netherlands) to evaluate if there is a degree of airflow obstruction in the respondents’ airways. PM25and PM| were higher at Pekeliling bus terminal [PM25=18.4 (IQR: 14.2-24.5) pg/m3; PMi=6.95 (IQR: 4.9-9.6) pg/m3] compared to Kota Bharu bus terminal [PM2.s=14.4 (IQR: 9.2-24.1) pg/m3; PMi=5.41 (IQR: 2.8-10) pg/m3)] (p= 0.001). There was significant correlation between PM (PM2.s and PMi) with meteorological variables (temperature, humidity and dew point) (p=0.001). The commonest symptoms reported among the subjects was wheezing while in dusty place (65.5%, n=57). This study also found no significant different of PEFR reading between subjects from both locations (p>0.05). Besides, there is no correlation between PEFR readings with PM (p>0.05). Moderate correlation was found between PEFR reading with height (p=0.001, r=0.469) and body surface area (BSA) (p=0.001, r=0.446). Separated bus platform from ticket counter, retail shops and food stalls are the best way to reduce PM exposure among the workers. Universiti Sains Malaysia 2015 Monograph NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.usm.my/60441/1/NURUL%20ZULAINIE%20BINTI%20ZULKEFLI%20-%20e.pdf Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie (2015) Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals. Project Report. Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Submitted)
spellingShingle R Medicine
RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research
Zulkefli, Nurul Zulainie
Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title_full Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title_fullStr Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title_full_unstemmed Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title_short Particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
title_sort particulate matter (pm), respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate among workers at two bus terminals
topic R Medicine
RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research
url http://eprints.usm.my/60441/
http://eprints.usm.my/60441/1/NURUL%20ZULAINIE%20BINTI%20ZULKEFLI%20-%20e.pdf