The association between calcium carbide exposure with neurobehavioral performance among fruit farmers and wholesalers in Perak

Hairan, Norhasliza (2017) The association between calcium carbide exposure with neurobehavioral performance among fruit farmers and wholesalers in Perak. [Project Paper] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Introduction: Calcium carbide (CaC2) was mainly used in the fruit ripening process. When it reacts with the moisture from the surrounding, it released phosphine gas (Pl-h) and give impact on neurological systems. In Malaysia, there were no legal and requirement related with the used of CaC2 as an artificially fruit ripening towards the occupational exposure. Statistic from Health Protection Agency shows there were 26 deaths due to the phosphine poisoning with the estimated concentrations at 1.2 mg/ 1113 (0.9 ppm). Objective: This study was conducted to examine the association between concentration of CaC2 exposure with ncurobchavioral performance among fanners and wholesalers in Perak. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 86 farmers and wholesalers in Perak with the response rate of 87%. Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) and a set of subjective symptoms questionnaire from WHO Operational Guide of NCTB was used to determine the neurobehavioral perfonnances while the personal exposure was measured by using ToxiRae Pro. For the level of psychosocial work factors, it was detem1ined by using the questionnaire from Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Result: Majority of the respondents were male (64.0%), with the range of age from 26 - 35 years old (27.9%), married (65.1 %), Malay (59.3%) also citizen (64.0%) with the highest educational level of secondary school ( 45 .3 % ) and total income of less than RM 1500 (54.7%).There were significant difference on the total score symptoms between exposed and non-exposed group (p=0.00). There were significant correlation between average value of phosphine gas with Santa Ana Dominant Test (r = -0.21) and Time Reaction Test (r = -0.23). Conclusion: Finding shows there were association between concentrations of CaC2 exposure with neurobehavioral performances. Government agencies should prepare one standard operating procedure (SOP) for the safe handling of CaC2 and the maximum amount of CaC2 can be used for single fruit ripening process. Keywords: Calcium carbide (CaC2), Phosphine Gas (PII3), Neurobehavioral Performances, Artificial Fruit Ripening, Fruit Farmers and \Vholcsalcrs.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2024 03:36
Last Modified:	08 Aug 2024 03:36
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2019

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