Siti Nadzifah Ghazali^{1, 2*}, Fazrul Razman Sulaiman²

¹Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

²Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 26400 Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the composition of roof runoff pollutants and to determine the relationships between pollutants and seasons (wet and dry) from two commonly used roof types in Jengka, Pahang. Rainwater was collected from galvanized and ceramic roof runoff. The sampling regime was done in two different seasons; between November 2014- February 2015 (wet) and March-May 2015 (dry). A total of 60 rainwater samples were analysed for temperature, pH, EC, DO and selected heavy metals (Fe and Zn). Zn and Fe are higher in galvanized roof (Zn: 0.05 ± 0.11 mg/L, Fe: 0.06 ± 0.13 mg/L) compare to those in ceramic roof (Zn: 0.001 ± 0.00 mg/L, Fe: 0.01 ± 0.02 mg/L). There were no significant differences of metal elements found between wet and dry seasons (p>0.05). The concentrations of metal elements in the harvested rainwater are lower than the permitted heavy metal concentration limitation if to be used as drinking water. All water quality parameters from galvanized and ceramic roofs runoff in this study matched the drinking water guidelines proposed by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia and safe to be used for the domestic purposes.

 Keywords: Harvested rainwater, Water quality, Heavy metal, Runoff water

Srirat Lormphongs

Department of Industrial Hygiene and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University Chonburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

The fisherman who are exposed to toluene and xylene on a daily basis from the petrol used in the combustible engines of their small fishing boats. The fishermen must go out to sea since early dawn and return in the late evening, and relatively little to no use of any protective equipment or apparatus to provide an occupationally safe breathing system. The study group of 120 fishermen had a mean age of 44.98 years. 81.6% worked less than or equal to 7 hours per day. During a full work week, 68.0% worked 7 days per week. Out of all responses, 0.8% always used respiratory protection; of those who used protection only used cotton masks. When the fishermen finished working for the day, more than 30% of the study group showed symptoms of adverse health effects including headache, body fatigue, fatigue only in arms and legs, and coughing. Most of them had workability at a good level (69.2%). Air samples were measured by individual “Organic Vapor Monitors (3M 3500)” attached to the lapel of each study group subject. Results of the study group (n=120) showed average ± SD Toluene level of 29.61 ± 53.934 ppb and Xylene 248.86 ± 41.635 ppb. Urine samples were collected after the work shift. Results of urine samples (n=120) showed average + SD level of Hippuric acid at 391.47 ± 391.305 mg/g creatinine and Methylhippuric acid was 73.04 ± 178.053 mg/g creatinine. The relationship between toluene, xylene, hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid and workability of the study group showed to be not significant. There should be concern about organized training and education to provide knowledge and understanding of the hazardous working environment.

 Keywords: Toluene, Xylene, Workability, Fishermen, Rayong

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, dragon fruit peel

Irniza Rasdi*, Fara Fadila Fadzil

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor

Abstract

Poor sleep quality has been found previously to cause various negative outcome among workers. There are many factors which may influence sleep quality which include noise and work stress. This is the first study aims to explore the association between three factors; noise, work stress and coping strategies and sleep quality among manufacturing workers. This study employed cross-sectional study design involving 140 cable manufacturing workers who were recruited via simple random sampling. The Malay-version Stress Overload Scale (SOS) was used to measure stress overload. Coping strategies was assessed via Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI) and sleep quality was estimated by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All respondents were male and most of them were Malay, married and working as machine operator. Results showed that at least 50% of the subject were exposed to the noise level of more than 86.83 dB (A).  Majority of respondents (89.3%) had poor sleep quality and experienced low level of stress (77.9%). Higher level of all components of work stress (r =0.18-0.22) and higher level of being avoidance as a coping strategy (r = 0.26) were found to be significantly correlated with poorer sleep quality. However, noise was not found to be a significant factor of sleep quality. The present findings suggested that work stress and coping were the dominant determinants for sleep quality which helps in prioritizing intervention strategies to improve sleep quality among respondents.

 Keywords: Noise, Work Stress, Coping, Sleep Quality, Manufacturing Workers

Edre M.A.^1,2,  Hayati K.S.*², Salmiah M.S.², Sharifah Nor khadijah S.I.³

¹Trainee Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

²Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

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

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a preventable zoonosis of public health importance. Due to seasonal floods and paucity of studies regarding leptospirosis preventive practices in community setting in this country, a study was conducted to determine spatial distribution of knowledge, attitude and practice on leptospirosis preventive practices using stratum risk identification methods among residents in a flood prone area in Kuantan via Geographical Information System (GIS). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Perkampungan Sungai Isap, Kuantan, Pahang, which obtained 568 respondents by stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated guided questionnaire. Geographical coordinates were obtained using Garmin gpsmap 62s. Multivariate logistic regression was done using SPSS version 22.0 and spatial mapping using ArcGIS version 9. The response rate was 83.4%. Flood-risk strata were divided into high risk (less than 500 metres), medium risk (500 to 1000 metres) and low risk (more than 1000 metres). Linear measurements were made using ArcMap. Overall, majority (68%) of the respondents had good knowledge. However, only 38% of the respondents had satisfactory attitude and 18% had satisfactory practice. Spatial mapping showed that the lower the stratum risk towards flooding, the poorer the preventive practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed the predictors of satisfactory leptospirosis preventive practices were high-risk stratum (aOR=4.28, 95% CI [1.92, 9.57], P<0.001), good knowledge (aOR=1.73, 95% CI [1.04, 2.90], P<0.05) and age group 30 to 39 (aOR=0.30, 95% CI [0.11, 0.83], P<0.05).  In conclusion, GIS is a valuable tool for leptospirosis surveillance by facilitating disease prevention programmes to targeted risk areas.

 Keywords: Leptospirosis, Preventive Practices, Stratum Risk Identification, GIS.

Onwusereaka Cynthia Oluchi, Juliana Jalaludin*

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Mold includes airborne particles of biological origin. Exposure to mold in damp buildings has been associated with the risk of experiencing health problem. Children may be exposed to mold spores through the respiratory tract, when they inhale or through skin contact. This study is a comparative cross-sectional study which was carried out in Malay preschools. A total of 270 respondents and 12 preschools from both locations (Puchong and Hulu Langat) were involved in this study. This study aimed at identifying different types of fungi present in selected preschools in Selangor. Indoor isolation of fungi was done using an instrument known as PBI Duos SAS Super 360™bioaerosol sampler and Sabouraud dextrous agar (SDA) was used for the cultivation and identification of mold in selected preschools. Mold colonies were represented as colony forming units (CFU m³). Further identification of fungi was done based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Total of 12 preschools and 36 houses were selected to participate in this study. Mold isolated from preschools in study and comparative area include; Candida albican, Aspergillus niger, Microsporium canis and Penicillium notatum. Analysis has shown a significant difference between mold level which were isolated in industrial and suburban preschools (p<0.05) for preschools and homes sampled. In conclusion, this study found that indoor exposure to mold were higher among preschools in the urban area than those in suburban area. Water damaged materials provide a good environment for the growth and multiplication of mold.

 Keywords: Mold, Indoor Air Quality, Preschools.

Nadiah Syafiqah Abdullah*^1,2, Latifah Munirah Kamarudin¹, Ammar Zakaria¹, Ali Yeon Md Shakaff ¹

¹ Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sensor Technology (CEASTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia

² School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia frequently experienced haze since the 1990s. However, very dense haze episodes rarely happened, especially in the state of Perlis, which located in the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. In this study, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations were measured during haze days and non-haze days in October 2015 at two locations, namely; Ulu Pauh (rural area) and Jejawi (semi-rural area) using portable monitors and GSE sensors. Daytime SO₂ and NO₂ levels were found higher during haze days (Ulu Pauh: 0.25 ppm and 0.07 ppm; Jejawi: 0.31 ppm and 0.08 ppm) compared non-haze days (Ulu Pauh: 0.11 ppm and 0.05 ppm; Jejawi: 0.13 ppm and 0.06 ppm). Different locations displayed distinguishable concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ during the dense haze episode in Perlis. 

Keywords: Air quality, Haze, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Peninsular Malaysia