Introduction: This study reported the concentration of bacterial and fungal bioaerosol at an animal house and hospi- tal laboratories with the aim to compare the concentration levels at library and administrative offices. The bioaerosol levels between mid-shift (afternoon) were also compared to the concentration measured during pre-shift (morning). Methods: The NIOSH 0800 method utilising microbiological air sampler collecting airborne bacterial and fungal samples via impaction technique on Nutrient agar (NA) and Sabouraud Dextrouse agar (SDA) as culture medium, respectively. Sampling was done twice daily; before (pre-shift) and during working (mid-shift) hour. Results: The highest bacteria and fungi concentration was recorded at the animal house with median concentration of 2477 CFU/ m3 (IQR=121-2477) and 791 CFU/m3 (IQR = 379-2081), respectively. Higher-risked workplaces such as animal house and hospital laboratories have significantly higher bioaerosol concentrations compared to control workplaces such as library and administrative offices (p
Poor IAQ would lead to the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome
(SBS) and other symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the IAQ and the symptoms
of SBS among the office workers in the two selected buildings (old and new). A
comparative cross sectional study was conducted among 90 office workers from an
old building (26 years of age) and a new building (5 years of age). The SBS symptoms
were assessed utilising the questionnaires adopted from Industry Code of Practice
(ICOP) 2010 while IAQ parameters were monitored using the Handheld 3016 IAQ
Particle Counter and Multi-Function Ventilation Meter. All the parameters studied
were below the standard limit as set by the Department of Occupational Safety and
Health (DOSH) and the United States of America’s Environmental Protection Agency
(US EPA) except for air velocity in the old building which was lower than the
acceptable standard range. The levels of PM10 and total particulate matter (TPM) in
the old building was significantly higher as compared to the new building (PM10: Z=
-2.495, p = 0.013 and TPM: Z = -2.873, p = 0.014). The SBS prevalence was 51.1%
among respondents at the new building while 64.4% for old building. However, the
difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant
association of drowsiness among respondents between old and new building (2=
4.050, p = 0.044). Therefore, in order to ensure a good IAQ, regular maintenance of
ventilation and control measures should be conducted.
Probiotics has been discovered long time ago for its beneficial effect on health when consumed especially to the people who had allergy and gastrointestinal disease. This preliminary study was conducted to find out which vehicles can allow better growth of probiotic. Lactobacillus plantarum was used in this study as choice of probiotic to be cultured in the four types of milk. The pH value was recorded for determination of growths and metabolic activity of the probiotic. Results showed that L. plantarum in soy milk can grow and had a better metabolic activity in the cultured soy milk with pH 3.46 compared to others. The highest growth was recorded at optical density of 1.137 in soy milk at 560nm. This result showed that L. plantarum in soy milk multiply rapidly compared to other milks. As conclusion, soy milk has better development of probiotic as delivery vehicles compare to cow milk, goat milk and coconut milk.
Introduction: The outbreaks of foodborne diseases have been linked to the consumption of contaminated seafood. This research aims to screen the bacteria from the sea cucumbers Acaudina molpadioides collected from Pulau Langkawi. Methods: A total of 22 sea cucumber samples were collected randomly from Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia. The samples were isolated and identified for the presence of bacteria using the conventional culture-based method. Presumptive bacteria colonies were subjected to various biochemical and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Results: There were no bacterial growth in Hektoen Enteric (HE) agar and Thiosulphate-Citrate-Bile Salt (TCBS) agar. Positive samples were isolated from MacConkey (MAC) agar with 6 samples were Staphylococcus spp. (27.27%), 14 samples were Proteus spp. (63.63%) and 2 samples were Bacillus spp. (9.01%). Among these isolates, highest resistance was found against Ampicillin (45%) followed by Tetracycline (40%). Conclusion: The results indicate that the sea cucumbers Acaudina molpadioides were contaminated with potential bacteria. There is a need for adequate consumer protection measures.
Introduction: The health effects of inhaling rice dust contaminated with endotoxin include respiratory problems, asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Thus, this comparative cross-sectional study aims to associate the concentration of endotoxin levels in inhalable rice dust and the lung function decline among rice millers.
Materials and Methods: The endotoxin level in inhalable dust for both area and personal samplings were collected using 25 mm Glass Fiber (A) filter loaded in IOM samplers connected to a pump by tygon tubing. The pump was operated at 2.0 litres/min and clipped around the breathing zone of the rice millers for eight hours. The endotoxin concentrations were analysed using Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate Chromogenic Endpoint assay at 405 nm. Lung function tests were carried out using Spirometer (Pony FX), for both the rice millers and the non-exposed groups.
Results: Findings for the mean concentration of endotoxin for areas was 0.26(standard deviation (SD) = 0.12) EU/m3 whereas the mean personal inhalable endotoxin level among the rice millers was 0.29(SD = 0.15) EU/m3. Post-shift lung function tests for FEV1/FVC measured appeared lower among rice millers (54%) compared to non-exposed workers (62%), but not statistically significant (p = 0.313). However, there were significant correlations between endotoxin concentration and post-shift LFT parameters of measured FVC, FEV1 and PEFR (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Despite the low level of endotoxin exposure, proper protective measures should be applied for rice millers for long term protection.
Introduction: Optimal humidity, temperature, improper handling and storage of rice will increase the likeliness of aflatoxin growth in the air. The most common and carcinogenic aflatoxin is Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that may cause lung cancer if inhaled. This study aims to associate the exposure of AFB1 in inhalable dust and its respiratory effects among rice millers.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilised the purposive sampling method and recruited 76 rice millers as exposed subjects and 48 office workers as the control group. The total inhalable dust was collected using the filter-loaded air samplers for an eight working hours’ exposure. The subjects’ hands were swabbed with cotton pads wetted with 0.5 ml Phosphate buffered Saline Tween-20 solution post shift. The collected samples were analysed for AFB1 by using the ELISA kits. The questionnaire gathering information on sociodemographic, work data and respiratory symptoms were completed. The lung function test was performed for the pre- and post-shifts.
Results: The mean airborne AFB1 at the rice mill area and personal exposure were 2.22 ng/m3 ± 0.07 and 0.25 ng/m3 ± 0.24, respectively. The mean contamination level of AFB1 on hands was 0.25 ng/ml detected on two rice millers (2.3%) while non-detectable in non-exposed workers. The most complained symptoms among rice millers were wheezing and breathlessness (n = 6, 9.2%). There was a significant difference in the mean forced expiration volume (FEV1) for pre- and post-shifts between rice millers and the non-exposed workers, but no significant correlation between the mean AFB1 concentration and lung function. Age and work factors were confounders in lung function.
Conclusion: Despite no association being established in this study, the promotion of wearing suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is highly recommended to prevent cumulative exposure among the rice millers.
Introduction: The use of traditional storage facilities by most of the grain farmers and traders in Nigeria promotes fungal contamination of stored grains and subsequently mycotoxins which are potent carcinogens, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic and immunotoxic when consumed. This study was conducted to determine the incidence and phenotypes of mycotoxigenic fungi associated with commonly consumed food grains in Katsina state, Nigeria. Method: Fungal population in 21 composite samples each of maize, wheat, rice and peanuts from three open markets were determined using standard mycological techniques. Aspergillus spp obtained from the sam- ples were screened for aflatoxigenicity and subsequently characterised by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: A total of 136 filamentous fungi belonging to 19 species were isolated, of which Aspergillus flavus (18.4%), Mucor racemosus (13.2%) and Aspergillus niger (10.3%), were predominant. The highest level of contamination was found in the peanuts (1.8 x 105 ± 2.5 x
105 CFU/g). All the 12 Aspergillus parasiticus and 18 (72%) of Aspergillus flavus isolates obtained from the samples produced aflatoxin B1 on solid media as observed under ultraviolet light and confirmed by Thin Layer Chromatography. The ATR-FTIR spectra of both toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus spp showed similar pattern. Conclusion: The levels of the mycotoxigenic fungi in the food grains, except for rice, were above the permissible limit of 100 to 10,000 CFU/g set by ICMSF, this signifies that they are unsafe for use as food or feed ingredients and hence, the need for more stringent control measures.
Introduction: Dengue is an endemic disease that affects community members of all ages, including young chil- dren. With proper exposure, children will be aware of their surroundings and can keep themselves protected. Thus, the current study design introduces an activity-based programme to suit children, with the aim of testing the effectiveness of this programme by analysing knowledge and practice scores of children before and after the programme. Method: A pilot study to determine the effectiveness of an activity-based programme was conducted among fifty KEMAS kindergarten children from June to July 2019. The one-day based programme consisting of theatre performance and games were conducted at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Data from participants involved was collected a week before and a week after the activity-based programme using a validated questionnaire. Results from the data were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive test was used to generate socio-demographic data while the Wilcoxon Sign-Rank test was used to compare knowledge and attitude scores before and after the programme. Results: A total of 46 participants have successfully attended the activity-based programme and completed pre and post questionnaires. There were significant differences in both knowledge and practice scores among participants following participation in the activity-based programme, where, p < 0.001. Conclusion: This preliminary study concludes that an activity-based programme on dengue has improved participants’ knowledge and practice towards dengue, thus can be considered as a validated programme for early exposure of prevention knowledge and measures against dengue among kindergarten children.
Introduction: : The increased pesticide usage is due to intensification of agricultural sector. Pesticide is known to give
an adverse effect to human health and environment. This study aims to investigate the level of knowledge, attitude
and practice (KAP) on pesticide exposure among farmers. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among
vegetable and fruits farmers in the district of Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A modified KAP questionnaire was adapted and
interviewed among 144 respondents. KAP level was constructed from the scores obtained. Results: About 85.4%
of them were males with mean age of 48 years old, and 66% of them finished secondary school. The respondents’
complaint that they had experienced symptoms such as excessive sweating (34.7%), blurred vision (27.1%) and
numbness in legs (22.9%). Around 63% of farmers stored the pesticide bottle at designated place, while 62% wore
personal protective equipment during spraying pesticides. About 61.1% of respondents had moderate knowledge
of the pesticide used, 56.3% of them showed a not concern level of attitude towards pesticide usage, and 21.5% of
them indicated a good practice while handling the pesticide. Significant correlation was observed between attitude
with knowledge and practice (p
Introduction: Soil pollution with heavy metals inadvertent to food contamination resulting from root-soil
heavy metal uptake is of great concern. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of
heavy metals such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), in soil and vegetables.
Methods: Using systematic grid sampling, 54 soil samples and 18 vegetable samples were collected from
Kampung Binjai Manis, Kota Bharu and Kampung Aman, Kandis, Bachok, Kelantan. Soil and vegetables samples
were dried, extracted by acid digestion process and analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
Results: The overall mean concentration of heavy metal in soil measured in descending order in
Kampung Binjai Manis was Fe (958.53 mg/kg) > Pb (26.07 mg/kg) > Cu (11.83 mg/kg) > Cd (0.66 mg/kg).
Whereas, the overall mean concentration of heavy metal measured in descending order in Kampung Aman
was Fe (461.18 mg/kg) > Cu (8.25 mg/kg) > Pb (2.48 mg/kg) > Cd (0.27 mg/kg). There were significant different
in the mean concentration of Pb, Fe and Cd between Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman.
In vegetables, only Cu shows significant different between Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman.
Significant correlations were found between soil and vegetables in Kampung Binjai Manis for
Cu (r= 0.861, p= 0.003) and Cd (r= 0.933, p= 0.001). Conclusion: The mean concentration of heavy
metal in soil and vegetables at Kampung Binjai Manis and Kampung Aman were above the permissible
limit as set by the Department of Environment and World Health Organisation.
Introduction: The use of pesticides in pest management has increased rapidly and occupational exposures had adversely affect human health. This study investigated the types of pesticides used and their neurobehavioral effects towards mosquito control workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 46 Kelantanese mosquito control workers in two vector control units by using purposive sampling. Risk assessment on pesticides was based on the Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA). A questionnaire was used to assess neurobehavioral symptoms and neurobehavioral performance was conducted using the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB). The individuals’ cumulative pesticide exposure was calculated by average fogging session within a month (session/month) and multiplying with the average duration for each fogging session (hours/session). Results: The risk level was moderate for all pesticides, except for Actellic 50 EC. Neurobehavioral symptoms reported were fatigue after work (80.4%), drowsiness (39.1%), fatigue after wake-up early in the morning (32.6%), and dizziness (32.6%). None of the reported neurobehavioral symptoms was associated with cumulative pesticide exposure (p > 0.05). Cumulative pesticide exposure was associated with Digit Symbol (Adj OR = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.37,-0.01), Digit Span (Backward) (Adj OR = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.31,-0.05), Trail Making (A) (Adj OR = -0.32, 95% CI: -0.37,-0.01),
Minnesota Manual Dexterity (Dominant) (Adj OR = -0.20, 95% CI: -0.38,-0.03), and Minnesota Manual Dexterity
(Non-dominant) (Adj OR = -0.18, 95% CI: -0.36,-0.01). Conclusion: Cumulative pesticides exposures are associated with the perceptual-motor speed, short-term auditory memory, attention, and coordination. Effective risk communication is proposed as one strategy to reduce pesticide exposure in occupational setting.
Introduction: Exposure to total inhalable dust has become a public concern because constant exposure to the dust
concentration exceeding workplace exposure limit may cause decline in lung function. This study aims to compare
the total inhalable dust exposure among rice mill, sawmill, furniture factory and non-exposed workers as well as
to correlate the dust exposure with lung function. Methods: A total of 77 exposed and 39 non-exposed workers
were recruited into this study utilising purposive sampling method. The total inhalable dust concentration was
collected using Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) personal airborne sampler loaded with glass microfibre
filter connected to a sampling pump via tygon tubing which was attached to the workers. Post-shift lung function
test was also measured. Results: There was a significant difference in the dust concentration between rice mill,
sawmill, furniture factory and non-exposed workers (p = 0.001) with the highest median value of 2.4 x 103
µg/m3
(IQR: 1.1 x 103
– 5.8 x 103
) among sawmill workers. Significant difference (p = 0.001) was shown between
workers for measured forced expiratory value in one second (FEV1), measured forced expiratory value in one second
and forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) and predicted FEV1/FVC. Among the exposed workers, weak negative
significant correlations were portrayed between total inhalable dust with the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC)
(r = -0.282, p = 0.013) and predicted FEV1 (r = -0.241, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Dust concentration might be attributable to the lung function decline among exposed workers especially sawmill workers.