Associations of exposure to particulate matters and nitrogen dioxide with respiratory health symptoms among public bus drivers in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

KHAIRI ANUAR, MUHAMMAD HAIKAL (2020) Associations of exposure to particulate matters and nitrogen dioxide with respiratory health symptoms among public bus drivers in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 μm has a greater impact on human health. Bus drivers are among the risk group exposed to highly polluted air consisting of a mixture of air pollutants during the 8-hour working period. This study aimed to investigate the associations of exposure to particulate matters and nitrogen dioxide with respiratory health symptoms among bus drivers in Universiti Putra Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted with 38 respondents from each group with bus drivers as an exposed group and office workers as a comparative group. Respondents from both groups were selected through questionnaires based on inclusion criteria, which were male, age 20 – 56 years old, and had at least one-year working experience. Individuals with a history of chronic lung diseases were excluded from the study. Air pollutants exposure (PM2.5,PM10,NO2) were monitored for an 8-hour working period. Background information and respiratory health symptoms data of respondents were obtained by using a questionnaire developed based on the American Thoracic Society. Results and Discussion: The results showed that there were significant differences level of air pollutants exposure (PM2.5,PM10,NO2) between bus drivers and office workers (p<0.05). The study also found that bus drivers in UPM had a higher prevalence of respiratory health symptoms compared to office workers. The respiratory symptoms for cough, chronic cough, phlegm, and chronic phlegm for the exposed group were 58%, 34%, 34%, and 23%. Meanwhile, for the comparative group, there were 23%, 10%, 16%, and 5%, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) of symptoms cough (X2=9.20) chronic cough (X2=6.13) and chronic phlegm (X2=5.20) between the study groups. Prevalence Ratio (PR) showed that the bus driver was 2.5, 2.2, and 4.6 times more likely to get symptoms of cough, chronic cough, and chronic phlegm compared to office workers. There were significant associations (p<0.05) between levels of PM2.5 with symptoms of cough (X2=4.79) and phlegm (X2=6.39). This finding proves that high and low level of PM2.5 affect the outcome of the cough and phlegm symptom. There were significant associations (p<0.05) between levels of PM10 with symptoms of cough (X2=5.04) and chronic cough (X2=5.44). Statistical regression test showed the main predictor for cough was PM2.5 (p<0.05, OR=3.20, CI=1.06-9.65), while for chronic cough was PM10 (p<0.05, OR=5.00, CI=1.21-20.60), and for chronic phlegm was working duration (p<0.05, OR=1.29, CI=1.04-1.61). Conclusion: In conclusion, bus drivers were exposed to a higher level of air pollutants compared to office workers, which lead to higher respiratory symptoms among the bus driver. As for the recommendation, current practice such as housekeeping and regular maintenance of public buses should be maintained. Program or training regarding indoor air quality also should be provided to create awareness among the bus drivers. vii Keywords: Indoor air quality, respiratory health symptom, bus driver, particulate matter

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2023 04:26
Last Modified:	21 Feb 2023 04:26
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/819

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