Indoor air lead, hair lead concentration and neurobehavioral performance among secondary school students in Kuala Langat, Selangor

HAFEZ, MARISSA (2020) Indoor air lead, hair lead concentration and neurobehavioral performance among secondary school students in Kuala Langat, Selangor. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Lead remains to be a major public health issue since there are many sources and pathways where human can be exposed to it. It is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems specifically the central nervous system in children which can result in neurobehavioral performance impairment. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between indoor air lead, respiratory health symptoms, hair lead concentrations and neurobehavioral performance of school students in SMK Jenjarom, Kg. Jenjarom, Kuala Langat. Methodology A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 secondary school students (Form 4) in Kuala Langat, Selangor. A questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic, health symptoms and hair care habits. Hair samples were collected from students to measure the hair lead concentration. Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) was used to assess the neurobehavioral performances of the students. The classrooms’ air lead levels were monitored 3 times during school session (6 hours) using personal air sampling pump. Lead concentration from the classroom’s air and their hair were measured by using Inductively-Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results and Discussion: The result of the overall NCTB tests showed that 51% of the students performed with the mean score higher than 50.00 (3.22). For reported health symptoms, majority of the students experienced tiredness (49%) and allergies (43%). The mean indoor air lead concentration in the classrooms was 0.0269 μg/m3. The hair lead concentration in this study area was 0.0342 μg/g which was lower than the safe level from previous study in Thailand which was 4.5 μg/g. There were significant relationship between indoor air lead with Trail Making (r2= 0.166, p= <0.001) and Digit Symbol (r2= 0.251, p= <0.001) tests. Based on the findings, the motor and visual coordination, steadiness and speed of the school children were impaired. There were significant relationships between indoor air lead concentration with allergies and cough with flu. There was a significant relationship between hair lead concentrations with allergies. Conclusion: The overall indoor air lead concentration in the classrooms in this study was low, however, it influenced the visual coordination and speed impairment of these children. The air and hair lead concentration were significantly related to allergy. Keywords: Indoor air, lead concentration, neurobehavioral performance, school children.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	21 Feb 2023 00:37
Last Modified:	21 Feb 2023 00:37
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/796

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