Exposure of PM2.5 and its association with respiratory health symptoms among food delivery riders in Klang Valley

BAKRI, SITI KHAIRUNNISA HAFIZAH (2022) Exposure of PM2.5 and its association with respiratory health symptoms among food delivery riders in Klang Valley. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Food delivery services have grown in the past few years as some people faced difficulty to reach the destination to buy their desired meals due to limited time and the absence of transportation (Nordzi et al., 2018). However, the instant growing rate of food delivery service also impacts the rider’s health. The delivery rider spends an enormous portion of their working hours on the road and at the roadsides to deliver food for the customer, which in-creases their exposure to outdoor air pollution, especially PM2.5. The level of PM2.5 has recently become a great challenge. There is an increasing concern regarding the effects of PM2.5 on health due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road that contributes to the significant amount of particulate matter produced (Health Effects Institute, 2010). Therefore, they are immensely exposed to air pollution, especially PM2.5, since no mechanical defense can help reduce the exposure. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between the exposure levels of PM2.5 with respiratory health symptoms among food delivery riders. Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was modified from a study by Mohamad Jamil et al. (2019) was given to respondents. Exposure monitoring of PM2.5 was conducted by using PurpleAir monitor PA-II. Descriptive statistics were performed to describe the study population in terms of sociodemographic, occupational and health history, also the prevalence of respiratory health symptoms. Chi-square was used to identify the presence of association between the level of PM2.5 and respiratory health symptoms. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the level of PM2.5 that associated with respiratory health symptoms. Results and Discussion: The geometric mean level of PM2.5 for food delivery riders was 33.8 μg m–3. It was found that some of them experienced respiratory health symptoms (frequent cough 67.7%, wheezing all day or all night long 86.6%, shortness of breath during walking in fast pace or walking up a slight hill 65.9% and shortness of breath when wears mask 69.8%). The only signifi-cant association established was between the level of PM2.5 and shortness of breath (p <0.001). The food delivery riders who exposed to high level of PM2.5 were 2 times more likely (95% CI 1.335 – 3.220) to develop shortness of breath. Conclusion: Findings from this study, indicated that there was a development of respiratory health symptoms among food delivery rid-ers. Thus, it is important to develop awareness and mitigation plans to minimize exposure to PM2.5 during delivering food. Keywords: PM2.5, fine particulate matter, respiratory health symptoms, food delivery riders

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2023 02:25
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 02:25
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1210

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