The association between indoor air quality and respiratory health symptoms among preschool children in Penang

Azam, Nur Syazura Akmal (2023) The association between indoor air quality and respiratory health symptoms among preschool children in Penang. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Vehicle emission and industrial activity are one of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality of nearby buildings. Poor indoor air quality has an influence on increasing of symptoms of health problems especially to susceptible populations. Compared to an adult, children are more likely to get worse complication when being exposed to the air pollution. Besides home, children spend most of their time in school, therefore school located in proximity with roads and industrial area will increase the exposure to the air pollutants. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the exposure to indoor air pollutants and their associations with respiratory symptoms among children aged 4-6 years old in traffic, industrial and suburban area of Penang. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 preschool children aged 4-6 years old in traffic, industrial and suburban of Penang. A standardized and validated questionnaire from American Thoracic Society (ATS) and International Study of Asthma and Allergy (ISAAC) was used to collect data on respiratory health symptoms, history of exposure, and sociodemographic information of the children. Environmental monitoring was sampled by using TSI Model 8532 Dusttrak II Aerosol Monitor, ppbRAE Portable VOC Monitor 3000, Q-Trak Indoor Air Quality Monitor 7575 and TSI VelociCalc Model 9565 for PM2.5, PM10 and VOCs, CO2, indoor temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. Results: Analysis showed there were significant differences (p<0.001) between PM2.5 and PM10 and study groups. Preschools in traffic area recorded the highest concentration of indoor PM2.5 [39.50 (11.50) μg/m3], PM10 [40.00 (31.75) μg/m3], and VOCs [12.00 (22.55) μg/m3]. There were significant differences in respiratory health symptoms of cough and wheezing among study groups at p=0.002 and p=0.048, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between air pollutants in preschool with respiratory symptoms; PM2.5 with cough (OR = 3.2, CI = 1.46 – 6.99), PM2.5 with phlegm (OR = 5.2, CI = 1.12-15.78), PM10 with cough (OR = 5.4, CI = 1.15-5.60). Logistic Regression found that PM2.5 was the most significant on cough (β= 1.0, p = 0.04, AOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.04-7.23) and phlegm (β = 2.51, p = 0.012, AOR = 12.4, 95% CI = 1.76-87.79). Conclusion: This study concludes that the prevalence of respiratory health symptoms among children in traffic and industrial area was greater than in suburban area. It is suggested that regular classroom cleaning and routine maintenance of air-conditioner to be done inside the preschools. It is also recommended to plant vegetation barriers and green wall to reduce environmental exposure to air pollution. Keywords: Indoor air quality, PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, respiratory health symptoms

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	08 May 2024 03:52
Last Modified:	08 May 2024 03:52
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1682

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