EXPOSURE TO RESPIRABLE DUST (EXPOSURE TO RESPIRABLE DUST (PMPM1010) AND ) AND RESPIRATORY HEALTH AMONG TRAFFIC RESPIRATORY HEALTH AMONG TRAFFIC

POLICEMEN IN SELANGORPOLICEMEN IN SELANGORNor Syafarizwa M., Juliana J., Sharmadevan S.Nor Syafarizwa M., Juliana J., Sharmadevan S.

Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra MalaysiaScience, Universiti Putra Malaysia

•According to Sharat, G. et al., (2011) study among traffic policemen, the motor vehicle-generated air pollutants, diesel exhaust particles account for a highly significant percentage of the particles emitted in many towns and cities. Acute effects of motor vehicle exhaust exposure include irritation of eyes and nose, lung function changed and nausea. Chronic exposure is associated with cough, sputum production, and lung function decrements.

The particles emitted from the vehicular exhaust of more than 10-micron size are held in upper respiratory tract and particles less than 10 micron size (PM10) accumulates in the lung and produced respiratory abnormalities. They are from motor vehicle exhaust, heat and power generation, industrial processes and open burning activities.

• Exposure to air pollutants is known to be harmful to health, in general, and to the lungs, in particular. In this respect, traffic policemen are at a risk, since they are continuously exposed to emissions from vehicles, due to the nature of their job. Exposure to respirable dust have shown a significant health effects on respiratory systems and decreased in lung function among traffic policemen. Therefore, air quality at the road sides need to be tested to identify any respiratory problems due to over exposure to respirable dust among traffic policemen which spend most of the time at the roads.

To compare the personal exposure levels to respirable particles (PM10) among traffic policemen and the

comparative group

To compare the prevalence of respiratory

symptoms among traffic policemen and the comparative group

•To compare lung function •[FVC, FEV1, FVC% predicted

•and FEV% predicted] among traffic •policemen and the comparative group.

To compare the personal exposure levels to respirable particles (PM10) among traffic policemen and the

comparative group

Random Sampling methodRandom Sampling method

Inclusive Criteria:Inclusive Criteria:Male (Aged 23 to 55)Male (Aged 23 to 55)

Without chronic medical historyWithout chronic medical historyMalay ethnicMalay ethnic

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

Personal Air Sampling PumpPersonal Air Sampling Pump

Spirometric TestingSpirometric Testing

Gravimetric Air Gravimetric Air Sampling Sampling

Techniques Techniques were also used.were also used.

Respirable dust Respirable dust PMPM1010

z value = -9.343 p value= <0.001

Median ± IQR: 208.33 ± 49.02 Median ± IQR: 49.02 ± 49.01

Variables

Study GroupFrequency (%)

χ2 pvalueExposed Group

(n=60)

Comparative Group(n=57)

Cough3.683 0.055Yes 19 (32) 7(12)

No 41 (68) 50 (88)

Phlegm8.711 0.003*Yes 22 (37) 8 (14)

No 38 (63) 49 (86)

Chest Tightness2.911 0.088

Yes 10 (17) 5 (9)No 50 (83) 52 (91)

Wheezing1.365 0.243Yes 5 (8) 6 (11)

No 55 (92) 51(89)

Variables

Study Groups Median ± IQR

Z valu

e

p value

Exposed Group (n=60)

Comparative Group (n=60)

FVC (liter) 4.21± 0.39 4.46 ± 0.38 -5.754 <0.001*

FEV1 (liter) 3.88 ± 0.59 4.24 ± 0.22 -5.484 <0.001*

FVC% predicted 73.65 ± 8.42 78.20± 9.19 -3.716 <0.001*

FEV1% predicted 76.67 ±19.93 78.71 ± 6.63 -2.593 0.002*

FEV1/FVC % predicted

98.91 ± 4.05 97.31 ± 4.64 -1.658 0.097

Variables Status

Study GroupsFrequencies (%)

Exposed Group(n=60)

Comparative Group(n=57)

x2p

valueO.R

(95% CI)

FVC% predicted

Abnormal 29(48) 17(30) 4.197 0.040* 2.20(1.03-4.71)

Normal 31(52) 40(70)

FEV1% predicted

Abnormal 50(83) 34(60) 8.097 0.004* 3.38(1.43-8.00)

Normal 10(17) 23(40)

FEV1/FVC% predicted

Abnormal - - - -

Normal 60(100) 57(100)

Table 3: Comparison of Lung Function abnormalities among respondentsTable 3: Comparison of Lung Function abnormalities among respondents

Findings revealed that there was a significant difference in FVC% predicted and FEV1%

predicted between study groups.

All the parameters in lung function shows significantly higher in comparative group

and significantly lower in exposed group except for

FEV1/FVC % predicted.

Table 1: Comparison ofTable 1: Comparison of respiratory symptoms respiratory symptoms

among respondentsamong respondents

Table 2: Comparison Table 2: Comparison of lung function of lung function

among respondentsamong respondents

In summary, traffic policemen were determined as lower lung function due to the working environment in which the areas more polluted and might have risk of having respiratory problems . The effect of pollution by vehicular exhausts might be responsible for pulmonary function impairments.

There was a significant difference between the personal exposure to respirable particles (PM10 ) and lung function among total respondents.

Traffic policemen that exposed to higher concentration levels of PM10 have shown a significant reduction in FVC and FEV1 compared to the comparative group.

Working as a traffic policemen might have the potential to expose to respirable particles (PM10) which indicated by an increasing in number of reported respiratory problem among traffic policemen.

Occupational as traffic policemen is considered as susceptible groups who exposed to various types of air pollutant while on duty. Recommendations that can be useful to management and traffic policemen:

Change in terms of their job schedule thus they can have their job rotation with the other colleague to the less polluted areas. Education program and training on how importance to prevent respiratory health problems. Periodically health screening in order to have early detection. Suggestion usage of personal protective equipment such as nose mask