Association between exposure of indoor air pollutants and respiratory health symptoms among photocopy workers in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

GHAZALI, NUR AMIRA (2022) Association between exposure of indoor air pollutants and respiratory health symptoms among photocopy workers in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Photocopy workers were exposed to high levels of pollutants that emit from photocopy/printing machines, creating a significant effect on individual’s health and, as a result on their productivity to perform. The sources of common indoor air pollutant emit by photocopier are particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide (CO). Indoor air pollutants can lead to respiratory health symptoms and the effects will appear in short or long-term to individuals depending on the period of exposure of contaminants. Objectives: This cross-sectional comparative study aimed to determine the association between exposure of indoor air pollutants and respiratory health symptoms among photocopy workers in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. Methodology: This study was conducted among 152 respondents aged 20 – 60 years old. A questionnaire standardized and validated from the American Thoracic Society was used to collect data on respiratory health symptoms, history of exposure, and sociodemographic of employee who works in photocopy/printing premises (N=76), were categorized as the exposed group, and employee who work in office (N=76), were categorized as the comparative group. Area monitoring were sampled using P-Trak Ultrafine Particle Counter 8525, Optical Particle Sizer 3330, QTrak TSI IAQ-Calc 7545 and PbbRAE Portable VOC Monitor for UFP, PM2.5, PM10, CO, CO2 and TVOCs respectively. Results: Median of PM10 (487.1 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (436.8 μg/m3) were above the permissible levels according to limit of air contaminant by Occupational Safety and Health Administration which 150 μg/m3, whereas the level of UFP obtained was 7946 pt/cc. There were significant differences between exposure of indoor air pollutants among exposed and comparative groups. Reported respiratory health symptoms of cough (94.7%), phlegm (90.8%), chest tightness (47.4%), wheezing (44.7%), shortness of breath (47.4%) was higher in exposed group compared to comparative group. There were significant associations between exposure of PM10, and PM2.5 with respiratory health symptoms among exposed group. Factors that influenced the increased likelihood of phlegm, cough and wheezing were linked to the increasing of PM10 and PM2.5 exposure. Conclusion: The findings showed that exposure to indoor air pollutants increased the risk of respiratory health symptoms among photocopy workers in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. This study suggests that regular photocopy machine maintenance and daily workplace housekeeping is required, whereas the photocopy workers should be fully trained in terms of technical, health and safety aspects. Keywords: photocopy workers, indoor air pollutants, respiratory health symptoms

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2023 02:31
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 02:31
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1127

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