The attenuation degree labelled on hearing protectors is based on internationally set standards. The attenu- ation is measurement in laboratories using methodology of real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT), microphone in-real ear (MIRE) and acoustics test feature (ATF). The measured attenuation gap from the actual workplace is a problematic predicament. The conceptual review of how far these methods affect the gap could embark future researches. Therefore, a conceptual review of the conducted methodologies according to standards for attenuation which include Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) and Single Number Rating (SNR) are discussed in this paper. 23 papers from ProQuest, EBSCOhost and Google Scholar databases are chronologically reviewed. Summarily, the improved attenuation measurement methods will help close the gap between laboratory data and field performance and sub- sequently will better prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Most of the latest findings after year 2010 were in agree- ment with the studies in 2000 to 2009.
Recreational noise exposure has become a major threat to the hearing system, and this
includes exposure to loud noise during group exercises such as Zumba Fitness, where loud music plays an
important role. This study aimed to assess the noise exposure and hearing threshold profile among Zumba
Fitness regulars in Kuantan, Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Noise exposure and hearing profile
threshold were measured during Zumba Fitness sessions at a fitness studio in Kuantan, Malaysia from 24th
June 2014 to 12th August 2014. Noise exposure was measured using a noise dosimeter for one hour of Zumba
Fitness session with a total of nine sessions run by three different instructors while sound level pressure was
taken using a sound level meter during ambient, peak session and during cooling down. Thirty participants
answered questionnaires and underwent pure tone diagnostic audiometry test at a local clinic for hearing
threshold documentation. RESULTS: Some areas of the hall posed higher risks of causing noise-induced
hearing loss especially near the amplifiers. There were periods when the hearing level exceeded 115 dBA.
Early abnormal pattern could be observed in the hearing profiles of some of the participants to suggest
preliminary hearing problems. CONCLUSION: Zumba Fitness regulars have a risk of developing noise-induced
hearing loss and preventive steps should be properly addressed as NIHL is permanent and irreversible.
Increasing utilization of living animals in ecological and biomedical research has drawn serious concerns in terms of animal welfare and ethical practices in animal handling. Significant attention has been given to animals of higher taxonomical hierarchy especially vertebrates such as fishes, rodents, reptiles and mammals, while ethical framework on invertebrate handling and welfare is less addressed (except for cephalopods). The definition of ‘Animal’ itself by any international consortia or Animal Research Act (ARA) does not include invertebrates as an animal entity. This is due to the lack of standard ethical framework to understand the pain and other physiological stress experienced by the invertebrate test animal. One such example would be the living fossil ‘horseshoe crab’ which is extensively bled to obtain its blue blood that is used for endotoxin quantification in biological samples. The biomedical bleeding itself leads to 15-30% post bleeding mortality of crabs, while pain and stress caused by the bleeding practice is not studied. Hence, this paper discusses the technicality of establishing standard framework for invertebrate handling. The paper also highlights the shari’ah (Islamic law) principles on scientific experimentations on animal subjects, particularly the norms related to the adoption of invertebrates in environmental and biomedical practice. Comprehensive review of ethical regulations in animal experiments, especially invertebrates, would be beneficial for revising and improving existing animal ethical practices.
A guideline on Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) has been established jointly by ILO/WHO/ICOH in response to poor achievements of the Occupational Health Services (OHS), especially among workers in small and medium enterprises at the global level. Malaysia. The international guideline describes competent and skilled human resources as an essential strategy for BOHS implementation. This commentary will discuss the challenges faced by current occupational health personnel providing OHS in Malaysia and proposes improvements of human resource development for future BOHS in Malaysia to ensure fair and better OHS coverage for Malaysian workers.
Occupational diseases are one of the major health problems related to workplace hazards.
However, the epidemiological data for this problem is scarce especially among Small and
Medium Industry (SMI) workers. These workers are vulnerable to occupational health problem
due to lack of knowledge and implementation of health and safety in the workplace. In Malaysia,
most of the SMI workers have limited coverage for basic occupational health services which
may worsen their health. Thus, this article aims to provide a review on the burden of
occupational health problems among them. The electronic and library searches were used to
extract the information from both published and unpublished articles that were not limited to any
year of publication until 2017. One hundred and ninety-six published articles and 198
unpublished articles were retrieved from the database. Only 19 published articles and 25
unpublished articles met the eligibility criteria. Prevalence data of occupational
diseases/poisoning, including overall and body specific (musculoskeletal disorders) was
extracted in raw data from the eligible studies. Prevalent statistics on occupational
musculoskeletal diseases (1.3% - 97.6%), noise-induced hearing loss (29.4% - 73.3%),
occupational skin diseases (10.5% - 84.3%), respiratory (1.9% - 92.2%) and occupational
poisoning (14.9% - 17.7%) among the working population is different within published papers
compared to unpublished ones. In Malaysia, there are no specific statistic that give a true picture
of the burden of occupational diseases in the SMI. However, this review concludes that
musculoskeletal diseases are significant occupational problems among SMI workers.