Assessment of dust exposure for particulate matter (PM10) and respiratory effects on port police personnel at Port Klang, Selangor

• मुख्य लेखक: Othman, Aimi Azyan
• स्वरूप: थीसिस
• भाषा: अंग्रेज़ी; अंग्रेज़ी; अंग्रेज़ी
• प्रकाशित: 2021
• विषय: HD61 Risk Management
• ऑनलाइन पहुंच: https://etd.uum.edu.my/9918/1/permission%20to%20use-NOT%20allowed.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9918/2/s820789_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9918/3/s820789_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9918/

Poor air quality at Klang Valley have resulted in respiratory effects and poor lung function for workers. A study was conducted at port operation located in Port Klang, Selangor to assess the level of particulate matter (PM10) exposed to port police personnel using an air quality device (EVM-7) at three sampling location. Besides that, the study also identified sociodemographic information and prevalence of respiratory symptoms from ATS-DLD-78A questionnaire distributed to 190 personnel and lung function testing using digital spirometer for subsampled population of 36 personnel. Association of respiratory symptoms with other contributing factors at workplace were also tested using Chi Square test. Result of PM10 concentration was recorded and the maximum concentration recorded was 11.189 mg/m3, followed by 7.489 mg/m3 and 6.968 mg/m3; which were below than eight-hour TWA concentration reading under USECHH Regulations 2000 at 10 mg/m3. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms recorded from questionnaire were wheezing (26.3%), breathlessness (20%), phlegm (19.5%), cough (17.4%), chest cold and illness (6.8%), self-reported asthma (3.7%) and cough and phlegm (2.1%). Lung function tested resulting in 16.7% normal lung pattern and 30% with abnormalities. There was also no association between respiratory symptoms and lung pattern with other contributing factors which are working environment, smoking status, work duration and work experience (p<0.05). Eventhough the level of PM10 exposure is at safe level, the risk of developing respiratory illness is still high based on the prevalence and poor lung function. Awareness on air quality related issue for long term prevention programme is needed to reduce impact to respiratory health.