Tag Archives: AJAB Special Issue 2018

The used of dragon fruit peels as eco-friendly wastewater coagulants

Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail *, Nur Azlin Kather Mahiddin, Sarva Mangala Praveena

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 43400, Serdang, Malaysia.

 

Abstract

Background: Coagulation and flocculation has been widely adopted as one of the most effective methods to remove colloidal particles in water or wastewater.

Objectives: To explore the potential of dragon fruit peels as coagulants through removal level of turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) from wastewater. 

Methodology: Dragon fruit purple pink fleshed (DFPP) and dragon fruit white fleshed (DFPW) were applied to the leachate at several dosages (10 to 90 mg/l) using standard jar test method and sedimentation times were recorded. Turbidity, TDS and TSS were measured using meter.

Results and Discussion: DFPW removed 67% of turbidity, 69% of TDS and 36% of TSS at optimum dosage of 90 mg/L.  DFPP removed 60% of turbidity and 23% of TSS at an optimum dosage of 50 mg/L and 65% TDS at optimum dosage of 90 mg/L.  The percentage of removal increased with the sedimentation time but not significant difference between DFPs.

Conclusion: DFPs is potential to be used as eco-friendly wastewater coagulant.

 Keywords: Wastewater, turbidity, TDS, TSS, Coagulation-flocculation, ragon fruit peel

Design and Development of Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Polytechnic Chairs

 

 

A. Mahmood1,5,* , S.M. Sapuan1,2, K. Karmegam3,  A.S. Abu4

1Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

2Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

3Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

4Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic Kuching Sarawak, KM.22, Jalan Matang, 93050 Kuching Sarawak.

 

Abstract

This study is carried out for the design and development of a kenaf fiber-reinforced polymer composite for chairs used in polytechnic institution of higher learning. Development of the furniture industry in the field of education has been increasing recently. This is due to the gained attention in composite materials for implementations in the field such as medical, industries, sports, aerospace, , and education such as polytechnic furniture. A systematic approach of a total design process is utilised for a better undertaking towards achieving the best conceptual design for the Polytechnic Chairs. The best conceptual design of the composite polytechnic chair was then selected where the design utilises kenaf fiber-reinforced polymer composite which is also described in this paper. The usage of kenaf fiber-reinforced polymer composite helps in reducing global warming

 Keywords: Design and Development, Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite, Polytechnic Chairs

 

Dental caries and its associated factors among children aged 8-12 years in Libyan schools, Klang Valley, Malaysia

Aisha A. Abuaisha2, *Huda B.Z1

1Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 434000 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

2Masters of Science Candidate, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 434000 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a serious public health problem worldwide. Prevalence of dental caries among school children has increased in both developed and developing countries since the last few decades.

Objective: To determine the association of dental caries with socio demographic factors among Libyan school children aged 8-12 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Libyan primary schools in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Five hundred and seventy children aged 8-12 years participated. They were randomly selected using proportional stratified sampling method. Dental caries was assessed using the WHO (1987) criteria.

Results: Response rate was 92.5%. The prevalence of dental caries was (55.8%), females have higher dental caries than males. Dental caries was found highly prevalent among; children their aged ≤10 years (64.7%), children whose father and mother have a job (58.5% and 58.7%) respectively, children whose father and mother have elementary level of education (69.6% and 61.0%) respectively. Chi square test showed significant association of dental caries with age group and father’s education level. Logistic regression analysis identified young age (OR=11.78, 95% Cl: 2.305 -26.276) was significant predictor of dental caries among children.

Conclusions:  Younger children are at higher risk of having dental caries in this study. Health education should be emphasized among younger Libyan school children.

Keywords: Dental Caries, primary school children, oral hygiene habits.

Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice on haze among first and final year medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia

 

Nor Hazwani, Mohd Nasir, *Haliza, Abdul Rahman

 

 

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine And Health Sciences,

 

 

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Haze is one of atmospheric pollution that has occurred in Malaysia. Most of the haze episodes occurred in conjunction with period of prolonged drought associated with El Nino phenomenon. Haze gives great negative impacts in terms of health, social and economy. The study aims to know the knowledge, attitude and practice on haze among first and final year of medical students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 244 students were involved as respondents. Questionnaires were administered to determine socio-demographic, information knowledge, altitude and practice on haze among them by using ‘Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0. Result showed that the level of knowledge for first and final year of medical students was moderate which was 40(41.9%) and 59(39.1%) respectively. The level of attitude for both groups were also moderate, which was 54(57%) and 97(64.2%) respectively. For the practice level, both group showed bad practice during haze, which was 64(68.8%) and 107(70.9%). The findings also indicated that there were no significant difference of mean knowledge, attitude and practice on haze between these two groups (Z=0.555, p>0.05; t= -1.573. p>0.05; Z= -0.720, p>0.05). Malay and Chinese students were associated with knowledge level with odd ratio (OR) 5.22 and 2.98 respectively. In addition, there was an association between knowledge and practice (p=0.003, p<0.005). The attitude level was associated with practice level in which moderate attitude tend to have poor practice on haze (p=0.024, p<0.05). As overall, the medical students perceived moderate knowledge and attitude, but low in practice.

 Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Haze; Medical Students


Chicken Slaughterhouse Wastewater Disposal: The Challenges Ahead

 

Nik Norsyahariati Nik Daud*, Sandra Chinenyenwa Anijiofor

 

 

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Slaughterhouses generate large volumes of highly polluted wastewater composed mainly of large amounts of  organic and inorganic pollutants as well as solids which pose a threat to the environment. Fresh undiluted wastewater was collected twice a day for a period of six weeks from a chicken slaughterhouse located in a suburb area to investigate the properties of slaughterhouse wastewater. The average results indicated very high pollutant levels of selected water quality parameters such as pH, COD, BOD, TSS, TDS, colour, turbidity, total coliform and NH3-N which were 7.17, 4979 mg/L, 1360 mg/L, 515 mg/L, 545 mg/L, 14,163 PtCo, 697 NTU, 1.2 × 108 CFU/100mL and 110 mg/L, respectively. These results were compared with the values stated by Malaysia Environmental Quality Regulation (2000) for effluent discharge. It can be concluded that most of the parameters are not suitable for direct discharge to the water streams without prior treatment. It is however recommended for most abattoir wastewater to be discharged separately from the community sewerage systems or treated separately as hazardous wastewater as a way of reducing some of the dangers imminent in the reuse of such wastewater and also clogging of sewerage pipes.

 Keywords: Abattoir, Discharge standards, Pollution, Wastewater, Water quality.


Blood cholinesterase level and its association with neurobehavioral performance due to insecticide exposure among male cocoa farmers in Pahang and Perak, Malaysia

Norsyazwani Mohammad, Emilia Zainal Abidin*, Nor ‘Aqilah Amani Zainal Mubarik,

 

 

 

 

 

Vivien How, Sarva Mangala Praveena, Zailina Hashim

 

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

 

 

Abstract

 

Background: Chlorpyrifos (group II) is an example of organophosphate (OP) insecticides used in cocoa farm that contains moderately hazardous substances that may be dangerous, toxic and can cause severe effects to human health. It is a concern considering cocoa plantations uses large amount of pesticides. There is a lack of study focusing on cocoa farmers’ exposure to organophosphate and data is needed to allow preventive measures to be planned and implemented in order to protect the health and safety of the workers in this specific agricultural sector.

Objective: This study aims to determine blood cholinesterase level due to exposure to organophosphate pesticides and identify its link with neurobehavioral performance of cocoa farmers in cocoa plantations across Perak and Pahang, Malaysia.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study among participants that includes cocoa farmers as the exposed group and fishermen as the comparison group. Structured questionnaire were administered to obtain background information and occupational usage of insecticides. Blood samples were collected via finger prick technique and seven tests of World Health Organization (WHO) Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) were used to measure the neurobehavioral performance of the respondents. Data collected were entered into statistical software and were analysed according to objectives.

Results: A total of 178 respondents were recruited in this study. This study had reversed results where the blood cholinesterase level of the comparison group was below than the normal range compared to the exposed group. The standard scores of Pursuit Aiming and Trail Making tests showed that the exposed group had significantly poorer performance than the comparison group. There was no significant correlation between the blood cholinesterase with neurobehavioral performance scores for the exposed group. Income, years of handling were significant predictor factors for Pursuit Aiming Test whereas age, use of gloves and education for Trail Making Test.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that neurobehavioral assessment conducted have provided insight into the early effects of OP pesticide exposures when results detected impairment of cocoa farmers’ motor steadiness and visual motor coordination. There is a need to encourage commitment of employers to protect workers through conducting medical surveillance, reviewing existing training modules, assist in the amendment of the existing guideline for use and provide adequate and suitable personal protective equipment for the use of the workers in order to fulfil the objectives of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

 Keywords: Organophosphate, blood cholinesterase level, neurobehavioral performance, cocoa farmers



Biomarker of occupational airways inflammation for exposure to inorganic dust

 

Noor Haziqah Kamaludin1, Juliana Jalaludin1*, Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin1,

 

 

Abdah Md Akim2

 

 

1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, 43400 Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

 

 

2Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, 43400 Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Occupational airways inflammation occurs when the bronchial tubes airways have become swollen and oversensitive due to unwanted particles gases and particulate matter of inorganic dust such as asbestos, silica and coal dust. Workers’ biomarker of airways inflammation is used as tools to interpret their lung metabolism and toxic mechanism reaction with pollutant exposed by industrial process. The aim of this review is to determine compatible biomarker that is used in diagnosis occupational airways inflammation from the exposure of inorganic dust. This review summarize the outcome of workers’ biomarkers that indicate airways inflammation caused by occupational exposure to the industrial pollutant. Relevance online database and data from previous epidemiological studies have been used in this study. Previous study found that Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) in spontaneous sputum, induced sputum, nasal wash and bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) have significantly correlate with symptoms of occupational asthma among the workers. Few studies have examined on non-invasive methods of EBC and FENO as biomarkers because of their reliability and sensitivity screening tools to diagnosed occupational asthma by determined eosinophil level in airway inflammation with a significant correlation of asthma severity. Several studies of occupational asthma had also suggested the combination use of different biomarker or pulmonary analysis such as lung function test for better results. Workers’ biomarkers indicate occupational disease regarding their airways inflammation and guiding the clinician on decisions for further treatment. IL-6 and IL-8 mostly used as the biomarker of occupational asthma to indicate the exposure of industrial pollutant.

 Keywords: Occupational asthma, Airways biomarker, Inorganic dust


Avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke among non-smoking pregnant women in Malaysia

 

Siti Munira Yasin1*, Khairul Mizan Taib2, Mohammad Idris Zamhuri1

 

1Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh, Selangor

 

2Faculty of Information Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam, Selangor

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and avoidance of tobacco smoke among pregnant non-smoking women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to obtain a representative sample of non-smoking pregnant women who attended health clinics (n = 661) six states in Malaysia. The durations of ETS exposure within and outside of the home were obtained by self-report. Exposure to ETS was assessed by the second-hand smoke (SHS) avoidance subscale. The analyses were conducted using logistic regression adjusted for demographic variables and other variables.

Results: Among non-smoking pregnant women, the prevalence of ETS exposure was 66.3%. The overall knowledge of ETS was good (>50%). The odds of ETS exposure were higher among those in the low-salary (RM1000-RM1999) group (OR=2.37; 95% CI=1.22, 4.62) and those with a history of chronic disease (OR=2.47; 95% CI=1.09, 5.62), whereas ETS exposure was significantly lower among those working full time during pregnancy (OR=0.31; 95% CI=0.17, 0.59). In the multivariate model, compared with non-ETS-exposed individuals, ETS-exposed individuals showed significantly different avoidance behaviour in situations that involved speaking to smokers who were smoking in same room (OR=2.31; 95%CI= 1.26, 4.21), sitting in a smoking section on public transport (OR=2.15; 95% CI= 1.07, 4.34) and frequently associating with smokers (OR=3.01; 95% CI=1.14-8.30).

Conclusions: Our findings revealed that knowledge about ETS exposure failed to manifest as avoidance behaviour. The knowledge was good but avoidance was poor, especially among women frequently exposed to ETS.

 Keywords: environmental tobacco smoke, pregnant women, avoidance behavior


Association between schoolbag weight with back pain and perceived load among primary schoolchildren in Selangor

Wong Yee Kiat1, Emilia Zainal Abidin1*, Irniza Rasdi1, Noor Hassim Ismail2

1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

2Department of Community Health, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Ya’acob Latif,

Bandar Tun Razak, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Abstract

Heavy schoolbag weight has been identified as one of the risk factors that influenced the health of young children. Considering the increased and improved syllabus in the primary schools in Malaysia, the risk of heavy schoolbag weight and its impact on the musculoskeletal health of children needs to be identified. This study was performed to determine the association between schoolbag weight and perceived load with back pain among schoolchildren. This was a cross-sectional study performed among 114 primary schoolchildren in two schools at Selangor, Malaysia in 2015. Background information and perceived load was obtained via self-administered questionnaires from both parents and schoolchildren. Data on height, body weight and schoolbag weight were objectively measured. Data obtained were entered into statistical software for analysis. The average schoolbag weight and relative schoolbag weight were 5.98 kg and 19.7% respectively. The prevalence of back pain was 36.8% and more than one-third of the respondent perceived load as heavy and cause fatigue. Significant associations were found between relative weight and perceived load (heaviness and fatigue) with back pain. Findings of this study suggest that schoolbag weight pose musculoskeletal health risk to schoolchildren. Therefore, there is a need for implementation of policy and guideline as well as intervention in minimising schoolbag weight. 

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disease, Ergonomic Risk, Adolescents, Knapsack, Heavy Lifting