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Mohd Shafi'i MS, Juahir H. Assessment of spatial air quality on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia utilizing environmetric techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:640. [PMID: 38904667 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12787-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere poses significant risks to the environment and public health. These pollutants can come from natural sources like dust and wildfires, or from human activities such as industrial, transportation, and agricultural practices. The objective of this study was to assess air quality on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia by analyzing historical data from the Department of Environment, Malaysia. Daily measurements of PM10, O3, SO2, NO2, and CO were collected from eight monitoring stations over 11 years (2011-2021) and analyzed using environmetric techniques. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) classified two stations as belonging to the high pollution cluster (HPC), three stations as part of the moderate pollution cluster (MPC), and three stations as the low pollution cluster (LPC). Discriminant analysis revealed a correct assignment rate of 90.50%, indicating that all five parameters were able to differentiate pollution levels with high significance (p < 0.0001). Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to validate the pattern of air quality variables in relation to the identified clusters (HPC, MPC, and LPC). The results showed that two verifactors (VFs) were extracted in HPC and LPC, while three VFs were identified in MPC. The cumulative variance explained by the PCA for HPC, MPC, and LPC was 69.43%, 82.32%, and 62.16%, respectively. Finally, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to forecast the air pollutant index (API) levels, using the R2 and RMSE performance metrics. The PCA-MLP Model A yielded an R2 value of 0.8470 and an RMSE of 6.6470, while PCA-MLP Model B achieved an R2 value of 0.8591 and an RMSE of 6.3000, both indicating a significant and strong correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Suzairi Mohd Shafi'i
- East Coast Environmental Research Institute (ESERI), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Hafizan Juahir
- Faculty of Bioresource and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22200, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
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Tajudin MABA, Madaniyazi L, Seposo X, Sahani M, Tobías A, Latif MT, Wan Mahiyuddin WR, Ibrahim MF, Tamaki S, Moji K, Hashizume M, Ng CFS. Short-term associations of PM10 attributed to biomass burning with respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions in Peninsular Malaysia. Int J Epidemiol 2024; 53:dyae102. [PMID: 39096096 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyae102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomass burning (BB) is a major source of air pollution and particulate matter (PM) in Southeast Asia. However, the health effects of PM smaller than 10 µm (PM10) originating from BB may differ from those of other sources. This study aimed to estimate the short-term association of PM10 from BB with respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions in Peninsular Malaysia, a region often exposed to BB events. METHODS We obtained and analyzed daily data on hospital admissions, PM10 levels and BB days from five districts from 2005 to 2015. We identified BB days by evaluating the BB hotspots and backward wind trajectories. We estimated PM10 attributable to BB from the excess of the moving average of PM10 during days without BB hotspots. We fitted time-series quasi-Poisson regression models for each district and pooled them using meta-analyses. We adjusted for potential confounders and examined the lagged effects up to 3 days, and potential effect modification by age and sex. RESULTS We analyzed 210 960 respiratory and 178 952 cardiovascular admissions. Almost 50% of days were identified as BB days, with a mean PM10 level of 53.1 µg/m3 during BB days and 40.1 µg/m3 during normal days. A 10 µg/m3 increment in PM10 from BB was associated with a 0.44% (95% CI: 0.06, 0.82%) increase in respiratory admissions at lag 0-1, with a stronger association in adults aged 15-64 years and females. We did not see any significant associations for cardiovascular admissions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to PM10 from BB increased the risk of respiratory hospitalizations in Peninsular Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdul Basit Ahmad Tajudin
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Hygiene, Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Lina Madaniyazi
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Xerxes Seposo
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Hygiene, Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies (CORE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aurelio Tobías
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wan Rozita Wan Mahiyuddin
- SEAMEO TROPMED Malaysia, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Faiz Ibrahim
- Environmental Health Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shingo Tamaki
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Moji
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chris Fook Sheng Ng
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Chaisongkaew P, Dejchanchaiwong R, Inerb M, Mahasakpan N, Nim N, Samae H, Intra P, Morris J, Ingviya T, Limna T, Tekasakul P. Source apportionment of PM 2.5 in Thailand's deep south by principal component analysis and impact of transboundary haze. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:89180-89196. [PMID: 37442939 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28419-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micron (PM2.5) was evaluated at four sites in the lower southern part of Thailand during 2019-2020 to understand the impact of PM2.5 transport from peatland fires in Indonesia on air quality during the southwest monsoon season. Mass concentration and chemical bound-PM, including carbon composition, e.g., organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and inorganic elements, were analyzed. The PM2.5 emission sources were identified by principal components analysis (PCA). The average mass concentrations of PM2.5 in the normal period, which represents clean background air, from four sites was 3.5-5.1 µg/m3, whereas during the haze period, it rose to 5.4-13.5 µg/m3. During the haze period, both OC and EC were 3.5 times as high as in the normal period. The average total PAHs and BaP-TEQ of PM2.5 during the haze period were ~ 1.3-1.7 and ~ 1.2-1.9 times higher than those in the normal period. The K concentrations significantly increased during haze periods. SO42- dominated throughout the year. The effects of external sources, especially the transboundary haze from peatland fires, were significantly enhanced, because the background air in the study locations was generally clean. PCA indicated that vehicle emission, local biomass burning, and secondary particles played a key role during normal period, whereas open biomass burning dominated during the haze phenomena. This was consistent with the OC/EC and PAH diagnostic ratios. Backward trajectories confirmed that the sources of PM during the haze period were predominantly peatland fires in Sumatra, Indonesia, due to southwest wind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phatsarakorn Chaisongkaew
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Energy Technology Program, Department of Specialized Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Racha Dejchanchaiwong
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Muanfun Inerb
- Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Napawan Mahasakpan
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Energy Technology Program, Department of Specialized Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Nobchonnee Nim
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Energy Technology Program, Department of Specialized Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Hisam Samae
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Panich Intra
- College of Integrated Science and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
| | - John Morris
- School of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, 10520, Thailand
| | - Thammasin Ingviya
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Thanathip Limna
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Perapong Tekasakul
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
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Effects of Ambient Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Exposure on Calorie Intake and Appetite of Outdoor Workers. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224858. [PMID: 36432544 PMCID: PMC9699249 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaysia has been experiencing smoke-haze episodes almost annually for the past few decades. PM2.5 is the main component in haze and causes harmful impacts on health due to its small aerodynamic size. This study aimed to explore the implications of PM2.5 exposure on the dietary intake of working individuals. Two phased 13-weeks follow-up study was conducted involving 440 participants, consisting of two cohorts of outdoor and indoor workers. Ambient PM2.5 concentrations were monitored using DustTrakTM DRX Aerosol Monitor. Data on Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and 24 h diet recall were collected weekly. The highest PM2.5 concentration of 122.90 ± 2.07 µg/m3 was recorded in August, and it vastly exceeded the standard value stipulated by US EPA and WHO. SNAQ scores and calorie intake were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with changes in PM2.5 exposure of outdoor workers. Several moderate and positive correlations (R-value ranged from 0.4 to 0.6) were established between SNAQ scores, calorie intake and PM2.5 exposure. Overall findings suggested that long hours of PM2.5 exposure affect personal dietary intake, potentially increasing the risk of metabolic syndromes and other undesired health conditions. The current policy should be strengthened to safeguard the well-being of outdoor workers.
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Phung VLH, Oka K, Hijioka Y, Ueda K, Sahani M, Wan Mahiyuddin WR. Environmental variable importance for under-five mortality in Malaysia: A random forest approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157312. [PMID: 35839873 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental factors have been associated with adverse health effects in epidemiological studies. The main exposure variable is usually determined via prior knowledge or statistical methods. It may be challenging when evidence is scarce to support prior knowledge, or to address collinearity issues using statistical methods. This study aimed to investigate the importance level of environmental variables for the under-five mortality in Malaysia via random forest approach. METHOD We applied a conditional permutation importance via a random forest (CPI-RF) approach to evaluate the relative importance of the weather- and air pollution-related environmental factors on daily under-five mortality in Malaysia. This study spanned from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. In data preparation, deviation mortality counts were derived through a generalized additive model, adjusting for long-term trend and seasonality. Analyses were conducted considering mortality causes (all-cause, natural-cause, or external-cause) and data structures (continuous, categorical, or all types [i.e., include all variables of continuous type and all variables of categorical type]). The main analysis comprised of two stages. In Stage 1, Boruta selection was applied for preliminary screening to remove highly unimportant variables. In Stage 2, the retained variables from Boruta were used in the CPI-RF analysis. The final importance value was obtained as an average value from a 10-fold cross-validation. RESULT Some heat-related variables (maximum temperature, heat wave), temperature variability, and haze-related variables (PM10, PM10-derived haze index, PM10- and fire-derived haze index, fire hotspot) were among the prominent variables associated with under-five mortality in Malaysia. The important variables were consistent for all- and natural-cause mortality and sensitivity analyses. However, different most important variables were observed between natural- and external-cause under-five mortality. CONCLUSION Heat-related variables, temperature variability, and haze-related variables were consistently prominent for all- and natural-cause under-five mortalities, but not for external-cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Ling Hui Phung
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Kazutaka Oka
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Hijioka
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kayo Ueda
- Department of Hygiene, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Wan Rozita Wan Mahiyuddin
- Environmental Health Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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Mani SA, Peltier RE, Le Mestre M, Gunkel-Grillon P, Shah S, Mani FS. Black carbon and elemental characterization of PM 2.5 in dense traffic areas in two cities in Fiji, a Small Island Developing State. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 845:157136. [PMID: 35798099 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 characterizations are essential in understanding its impact on the health of the exposed population. Sampled PM2.5 by Mani et al. (2020) was characterized to determine atmospheric metal concentration and inhalation health risk in Suva and Lautoka Cities, the only two cities in Fiji and one of the largest in the South Pacific Islands. Twenty-two elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Sr, V, Zn) were analyzed using ICP-OES. Black Carbon (BC) sampling was also done at three different sites in Suva City, namely, Fiji National University Samabula Intersection site, Suva City Bus Station site and the Reservoir Road Community Settlement Site as well as at Lautoka City Bus Station. Mean BC concentrations over the sampling period were found to be 3.9 ± 2.9 (median = 3.3 μg/m3), 2.6 ± 2.7 μg/m3 (median = 1.7 μg/m3), 2.4 ± 2.3 μg/m3 (median = 1.7 μg/m3) and 4.0 ± 4.7 μg/m3 (median = 2.4 μg/m3) respectively. Health risk assessments (Carcinogenic Risk (CR) and Non-Carcinogenic Risk (HQ)) were also done to assess the risk of inhalation exposure in adults and children. The Hazard Index for children in Lautoka (HI = 1.03) was found to slightly exceed the safe level of 1. This study provides the first inventory of atmospheric particulate bound metal concentrations and diurnal BC profiles in Fiji and informs policy makers and scientists for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Mani
- School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
| | - R E Peltier
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA.
| | - M Le Mestre
- Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of New Caledonia, New Caledonia.
| | - P Gunkel-Grillon
- Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of New Caledonia, New Caledonia.
| | - S Shah
- Department of Chemistry, Fiji National University, Fiji.
| | - F S Mani
- School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
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Santoso M, Hopke PK, Damastuti E, Lestiani DD, Kurniawati S, Kusmartini I, Prakoso D, Kumalasari D, Riadi A. The air quality of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia: The impacts of forest fires on visibility. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2022; 72:1191-1200. [PMID: 35583524 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2022.2077474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Airborne particles in urban Palangka Raya, Kalimantan from Oct 2011 until Oct 2020 have been collected and analyzed for PM2.5, PM10, and Black Carbon (BC) concentrations. Palangka Raya is a city that serves the capital of the Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo. Kalimantan is affected by peat fires that occur periodically. There were identified increases in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations during El Niño periods. During the forest fire episode in September - October 2015, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations increased significantly, to nearly 400 µg/m3 and 800 µg/m3, respectively, and visibility in the city was reduced to < 0.2 miles. The highest BC concentrations were observed during this massive forest fires episode. The regression analyses for PM2.5, PM10 and visibility in Palangka Raya during the period of 2011-2020, showed a non-linear correlation with reduction in visibility due to increased PM2.5 and PM10. There was no correlation for BC with visibility. Air quality in Palangka Raya was at a relatively good level with concentrations below the national ambient air quality standard when there were no forest fires event. Emissions from forest fires caused a substantial reduction in air quality reaching concentrations well above ambient air quality standards and are likely to have caused adverse health effects on the people living in the area.Implications: Indonesia has repeatedly experienced forest fires, especially on Kalimantan and Sumatera Islands, which burned large areas of peatland. The forest fires leading to increasing PM concentrations especially in the PM2.5 size range which influence visibility. The seasonal variations of BC in Palangka Raya and the relationships of fine particulates with visibility were assessed. The results of regression analyses for PM2.5 and PM10 to visibility during the period of 2011-2020 showed non-linear relationships. An increasing of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations during El Nino periods were detected well above the ambient air quality standard. To ensure effective and continued handling and prevention of forest and peatland fires, the government set up a special task force and review on several rules, including laws and government regulations as well as governor regulations that permit the burning of forest and peatland areas. These results are expected to be used to formulate more effective mitigations in reducing forest fires events in Indonesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhayatun Santoso
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Philip K Hopke
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Endah Damastuti
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Diah Dwiana Lestiani
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Syukria Kurniawati
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Indah Kusmartini
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Djoko Prakoso
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Dyah Kumalasari
- Research and Technology Center for Applied Nuclear BATAN, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Riadi
- Environmental Laborarotaroy Regional Technical Implementing Unit, The Environmental Agency of Palangka Raya City, Palangka Raya, Indonesia
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Sundram TKM, Tan ESS, Cheah SC, Lim HS, Seghayat MS, Bustami NA, Tan CK. Impacts of particulate matter (PM 2.5) on the health status of outdoor workers: observational evidence from Malaysia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:71064-71074. [PMID: 35595900 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20955-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ambient air pollution is a significant contributor to disease burden, leading to an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths and 103.1 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually worldwide. As industrialization and urbanization surge in Asia, air pollution and its corresponding health issues follow suit. Findings on disease burden in developing countries are extremely scanty. This study aimed to determine the concentration of PM2.5 and its impact on respiratory health of outdoor workers in Malaysia. A 2-cycled 3-month cohort study involving 440 participants was conducted. Workers' health status was assessed via (1) Total Ocular Symptom Score (TOSS), (2) Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), (3) St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGPQ), and (4) Asthma Control Test (ACT). The maximum PM2.5 concentration was measured at 122.90 ± 2.07 µg/m3 during third week of August 2016. Meanwhile, the minimum concentration was measured at 57.47 ± 3.80 µg/m3 and 57.47 ± 1.64 µg/m3 during fourth week of July 2016 and first week of August 2017 respectively. Findings revealed that TOSS, TNSS, and SGPQ changes were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the concentration of PM2.5. Outdoor workers were more significantly (p < 0.05) affected by changes in PM2.5 compared to indoor workers with a moderate correlation (r value ranged from 0.4 to 0.7). Ironically, no significant association was found between ACT assessment and PM2.5. Collectively, our findings suggested that changes in the concentration of PM2.5 threatened the respiratory health of outdoor workers. The existing policy should be strengthened and preventive measures to be enforced safeguarding health status of outdoor workers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eugenie Sin Sing Tan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiau Chuen Cheah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hwee San Lim
- School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Gelugor, Malaysia
| | - Marjan Sadat Seghayat
- Faculty of Medicine, MAHSA University, Bioscience & Nursing, 42610, Jenjarom, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Normina Ahmad Bustami
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chung Keat Tan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Phung VLH, Uttajug A, Ueda K, Yulianti N, Latif MT, Naito D. A scoping review on the health effects of smoke haze from vegetation and peatland fires in Southeast Asia: Issues with study approaches and interpretation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274433. [PMID: 36107927 PMCID: PMC9477317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Smoke haze due to vegetation and peatland fires in Southeast Asia is a serious public health concern. Several approaches have been applied in previous studies; however, the concepts and interpretations of these approaches are poorly understood. In this scoping review, we addressed issues related to the application of epidemiology (EPI), health burden estimation (HBE), and health risk assessment (HRA) approaches, and discussed the interpretation of findings, and current research gaps. Most studies reported an air quality index exceeding the ‘unhealthy’ level, especially during smoke haze periods. Although smoke haze is a regional issue in Southeast Asia, studies on its related health effects have only been reported from several countries in the region. Each approach revealed increased health effects in a distinct manner: EPI studies reported excess mortality and morbidity during smoke haze compared to non-smoke haze periods; HBE studies estimated approximately 100,000 deaths attributable to smoke haze in the entire Southeast Asia considering all-cause mortality and all age groups, which ranged from 1,064–260,000 for specified mortality cause, age group, study area, and study period; HRA studies quantified potential lifetime cancer and non-cancer risks due to exposure to smoke-related chemicals. Currently, there is a lack of interconnection between these three approaches. The EPI approach requires extensive effort to investigate lifetime health effects, whereas the HRA approach needs to clarify the assumptions in exposure assessments to estimate lifetime health risks. The HBE approach allows the presentation of health impact in different scenarios, however, the risk functions used are derived from EPI studies from other regions. Two recent studies applied a combination of the EPI and HBE approaches to address uncertainty issues due to the selection of risk functions. In conclusion, all approaches revealed potential health risks due to smoke haze. Nonetheless, future studies should consider comparable exposure assessments to allow the integration of the three approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Ling Hui Phung
- Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Attica Uttajug
- Department of Hygiene, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kayo Ueda
- Department of Hygiene, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nina Yulianti
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia
- Graduate Program of Environmental Science, Universitas Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Daisuke Naito
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Bogor, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
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Jiang Q, Zhang X, Liu T, Shi J, Gu X, Xiao J, Fang J. Assessment of the temporal variability and health risk of atmospheric particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a northeastern city in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:64536-64546. [PMID: 35471760 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20378-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the sources and temporal variability of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in a typical industrial city in northern China. We also evaluated the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) from the inhalation of these PAHs. Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were collected for 7 consecutive days each month from 2014 to 2019, and the 16 PAHs were measured using multiplex gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The carcinogenic risk of PAH exposure was assessed using the inhalation unit risk (IUR) and cancer slope factor (CSF) methods. The annual average concentrations of PM2.5 for each year from 2014 to 2019 were 102.87±55.25, 86.92±60.43, 69.17±37.74, 58.20±59.15, 56.01±34.52, and 52.54±58.15 µg m-3, and the annual average ΣPAH concentrations were 56.03±81.09, 47.99±79.30, 40.41±57.31, 33.57±51.79, 43.23±74.80, and 25.20±50.91 ng m-3, respectively. Source identification, using diagnostic ratio analysis, indicated that the major PAH sources were coal/biomass combustion, fuel combustion, and traffic emissions. A health risk assessment showed that the ILCR from PAH inhalation decreased throughout the study period and varied with age. The IUR and CSF methods both showed that the adult ILCR exceeded 1.0×10-6. These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing the carcinogenic risk of PM2.5-bound PAHs, particularly in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizheng Jiang
- Hebei University of Science & Technology, No. 26 Yuxiangjie, Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang, 050018, China
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xianhui Zhang
- Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, 150056, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, 150056, China
| | - Xiaolin Gu
- Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin, 150056, China
| | - Jieying Xiao
- Hebei University of Science & Technology, No. 26 Yuxiangjie, Yuhua District, Shijiazhuang, 050018, China.
| | - Jianlong Fang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100021, China
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11
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Hein L, Spadaro JV, Ostro B, Hammer M, Sumarga E, Salmayenti R, Boer R, Tata H, Atmoko D, Castañeda JP. The health impacts of Indonesian peatland fires. Environ Health 2022; 21:62. [PMID: 35790967 PMCID: PMC9256533 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00872-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indonesian peatlands have been drained for agricultural development for several decades. This development has made a major contribution to economic development. At the same time, peatland drainage is causing significant air pollution resulting from peatland fires. Peatland fires occur every year, even though their extent is much larger in dry (El Niño) years. We examine the health effects of long-term exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) from all types of peatland fires (including the burning of above and below ground biomass) in Sumatra and Kalimantan, where most peatland fires in Indonesia take place. METHODS We derive PM2.5 concentrations from satellite imagery calibrated and validated with Indonesian Government data on air pollution, and link increases in these concentrations to peatland fires, as observed in satellite imagery. Subsequently, we apply available epidemiological studies to relate PM2.5 exposure to a range of health outcomes. The model utilizes the age distribution and disease prevalence of the impacted population. RESULTS We find that PM2.5 air pollution from peatland fires, causes, on average, around 33,100 adults and 2900 infants to die prematurely each year from air pollution. In addition, peatland fires cause on average around 4390 additional hospitalizations related to respiratory diseases, 635,000 severe cases of asthma in children, and 8.9 million lost workdays. The majority of these impacts occur in Sumatra because of its much higher population density compared to Kalimantan. A main source of uncertainty is in the Concentration Response Functions (CRFs) that we use, with different CRFs leading to annual premature adult mortality ranging from 19,900 to 64,800 deaths. Currently, the population of both regions is relatively young. With aging of the population over time, vulnerabilities to air pollution and health effects from peatland fires will increase. CONCLUSIONS Peatland fire health impacts provide a further argument to combat fires in peatlands, and gradually transition to peatland management models that do not require drainage and are therefore not prone to fire risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Hein
- Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Joseph V Spadaro
- Spadaro Environmental Research Consultants, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Melanie Hammer
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elham Sumarga
- School of Life Sciences & Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
| | | | - Rizaldi Boer
- Center for Climate Risk and Opportunity Management, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Hesti Tata
- National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Atmoko
- Agency for Meteorological Climatological and Geophysics, Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika (BMKG), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Juan-Pablo Castañeda
- Tilburg University School of Economics and Management (TiSEM), Tilburg, The Netherlands
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12
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Lung SCC, Thi Hien T, Cambaliza MOL, Hlaing OMT, Oanh NTK, Latif MT, Lestari P, Salam A, Lee SY, Wang WCV, Tsou MCM, Cong-Thanh T, Cruz MT, Tantrakarnapa K, Othman M, Roy S, Dang TN, Agustian D. Research Priorities of Applying Low-Cost PM 2.5 Sensors in Southeast Asian Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:1522. [PMID: 35162543 PMCID: PMC8835170 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The low-cost and easy-to-use nature of rapidly developed PM2.5 sensors provide an opportunity to bring breakthroughs in PM2.5 research to resource-limited countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). This review provides an evaluation of the currently available literature and identifies research priorities in applying low-cost sensors (LCS) in PM2.5 environmental and health research in SEA. The research priority is an outcome of a series of participatory workshops under the umbrella of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project-Monsoon Asia and Oceania Networking Group (IGAC-MANGO). A literature review and research prioritization are conducted with a transdisciplinary perspective of providing useful scientific evidence in assisting authorities in formulating targeted strategies to reduce severe PM2.5 pollution and health risks in this region. The PM2.5 research gaps that could be filled by LCS application are identified in five categories: source evaluation, especially for the distinctive sources in the SEA countries; hot spot investigation; peak exposure assessment; exposure-health evaluation on acute health impacts; and short-term standards. The affordability of LCS, methodology transferability, international collaboration, and stakeholder engagement are keys to success in such transdisciplinary PM2.5 research. Unique contributions to the international science community and challenges with LCS application in PM2.5 research in SEA are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Chun Candice Lung
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (S.-Y.L.); (W.-C.V.W.); (M.-C.M.T.)
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - To Thi Hien
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.T.H.); (T.C.-T.)
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Maria Obiminda L. Cambaliza
- Department of Physics, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City 1108, Philippines;
- Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory, Manila Observatory, Quezon City 1108, Philippines;
| | | | - Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh
- Environmental Engineering and Management, SERD, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand;
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
| | - Puji Lestari
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung 40132, Indonesia;
| | - Abdus Salam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Shih-Yu Lee
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (S.-Y.L.); (W.-C.V.W.); (M.-C.M.T.)
| | - Wen-Cheng Vincent Wang
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (S.-Y.L.); (W.-C.V.W.); (M.-C.M.T.)
| | - Ming-Chien Mark Tsou
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (S.-Y.L.); (W.-C.V.W.); (M.-C.M.T.)
| | - Tran Cong-Thanh
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (T.T.H.); (T.C.-T.)
- College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | | | - Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Murnira Othman
- Institute for Environment and Development (Lestari), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia;
| | - Shatabdi Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; (A.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Tran Ngoc Dang
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam;
| | - Dwi Agustian
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung 40171, Indonesia;
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13
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Jamhari AA, Latif MT, Wahab MIA, Hassan H, Othman M, Abd Hamid HH, Tekasakul P, Phairuang W, Hata M, Furuchi M, Rajab NF. Seasonal variation and size distribution of inorganic and carbonaceous components, source identification of size-fractioned urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132309. [PMID: 34601373 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to determine the inorganic and carbonaceous components depending on the seasonal variation and size distribution of urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur. Different fractions of particulate matter (PM) were measured using a Nanosampler from 17 February 2017 until 27 November 2017. The water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and carbonaceous components in all samples were analysed using ion chromatography and carbon analyser thermal/optical reflectance, respectively. Total PM concentration reached its peak during the southwest (SW) season (70.99 ± 6.04 μg/m3), and the greatest accumulation were observed at PM0.5-1.0 (22%-30%, 9.55 ± 1.03 μg/m3) and PM2.5-10 (22%-25%, 10.34 ± 0.81 μg/m3). SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ were major contributors of WSIIs, and their formation was favoured mainly during SW season (80.5% of total ions). PM0.5-1.0 and PM2.5-10 exhibited the highest percentage of WSII size distribution, accounted for 28.4% and 13.5% of the total mass, respectively. The average contribution of carbonaceous species (OC + EC) to total carbonaceous concentrations were higher in PM0.5-1.0 (35.2%) and PM2.5-10 (26.6%). Ultrafine particles (PM<0.1) consistently indicated that the sources were from vehicle emission while the SW season was constantly dominated by biomass burning sources. Using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, secondary inorganic aerosol and biomass burning (30.3%) was known as a significant source of overall PM. As a conclusion, ratio and source apportionment indicate the mixture of biomass burning, secondary inorganic aerosols and motor vehicle contributed to the size-segregated PM and seasonal variation of inorganic and carbonaceous components of urban air particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Ahmad Jamhari
- Biomedical Science Program, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness (HCARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Biomedical Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 20400, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ikram A Wahab
- Environmental Health and Industry Safety Program, Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hanashriah Hassan
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Murnira Othman
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Perapong Tekasakul
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand
| | - Worradorn Phairuang
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Mitsuhiko Hata
- Faculty of Geoscience and Civil Engineering, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Masami Furuchi
- Faculty of Geoscience and Civil Engineering, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan; Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand
| | - Nor Fadilah Rajab
- Biomedical Science Program, Centre for Healthy Aging and Wellness (HCARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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14
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Alias A, Latif MT, Othman M, Azhari A, Abd Wahid NB, Aiyub K, Khan MF. Compositions, source apportionment and health risks assessment of fine particulate matter in naturally-ventilated schools. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 12:101190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2021.101190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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15
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Wang Y, Liu B, Zhang Y, Dai Q, Song C, Duan L, Guo L, Zhao J, Xue Z, Bi X, Feng Y. Potential health risks of inhaled toxic elements and risk sources during different COVID-19 lockdown stages in Linfen, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 284:117454. [PMID: 34062435 PMCID: PMC8164380 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Levels of toxic elements in ambient PM2.5 were measured from 29 October 2019 to 30 March 2020 in Linfen, China, to assess the health risks they posed and to identify critical risk sources during different periods of the COVID-19 lockdown and haze episodes using positive matrix factorization (PMF) and a health-risk assessment model. The mean PM2.5 concentration during the study period was 145 μg/m3, and the 10 investigated toxic elements accounted for 0.31% of the PM2.5 mass. The total non-cancer risk (HI) and total cancer risk (TCR) of the selected toxic elements exceed the US EPA limits for children and adults. The HI for children was 2.3 times that for adults for all periods, which is likely due to the high inhalation rate per unit body weight for children. While the TCR for adults was 1.7 times that of children, which is mainly attributed to potential longer exposure duration for adults. The HI and TCR of the toxic elements during full lockdown were reduced by 66% and 58%, respectively, compared to their pre-lockdown levels. The HI and TCR were primarily attributable to Mn and As, respectively. Health risks during haze episodes were significantly higher than the average levels during COVID-19 lockdowns, though the HI and TCR of the selected toxic elements during full-lockdown haze episodes were 68% and 17% lower, respectively, than were the levels during pre-lockdown haze episodes. During the study period, fugitive dust and steel-related smelting were the highest contributors to HI and TCR, respectively, and decreased in these emission sources contributed the most to the lower health risks observed during the full lockdown. There, the control of these sources is critical to effectively reduce public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyang Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Baoshuang Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Yufen Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Qili Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Congbo Song
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Liqin Duan
- Linfen Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Shanxi Province, Linfen, 041000, China
| | - Lili Guo
- Linfen Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Shanxi Province, Linfen, 041000, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Linfen Municipal Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Shanxi Province, Linfen, 041000, China
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Xiaohui Bi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yinchang Feng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
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16
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The Effects of Air Quality on Hospital Admissions for Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 2013–2015. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12081060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study assesses the impact of a decrease in air quality and the risk of hospital admissions to a public hospital for chronic respiratory diseases for residents of Petaling Jaya, a city in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area in Malaysia. Data on hospital admissions for asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, weather conditions and the Malaysian Air Pollution Index, a composite indicator of air quality, were collated. An unconstrained distributed lag model to obtain risk of hospitalization for a 10 μg/m3 increase in the API. The lag cumulative effect for a 10 μg/m3 increase in the API was calculated to test for harvesting in the short term. Findings indicate that after an initial decrease in admissions (days 3 and 4), admissions increased again at day 7 and 8 and this relationship was significant. We therefore conclude that a 10 μg/m3 increase has a greater effect on admissions for respiratory health in the short term than a harvesting effect alone would suggest. These results suggest that while air quality is improving in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area, no level of air pollution can be deemed safe.
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17
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Suhaimi NF, Jalaludin J, Abu Bakar S. The Influence of Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) in Primary Schools and Residential Proximity to Traffic Sources on Histone H3 Level in Selected Malaysian Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157995. [PMID: 34360284 PMCID: PMC8345469 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and histone H3 modification among school children in high-traffic (HT) and low-traffic (LT) areas in Malaysia. Respondents' background information and personal exposure to traffic sources were obtained from questionnaires distributed to randomly selected school children. Real-time monitoring instruments were used for 6-h measurements of PM10, PM2.5, PM1, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Meanwhile, 24-h measurements of PM2.5-bound black carbon (BC) were performed using air sampling pumps. The salivary histone H3 level was captured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HT schools had significantly higher PM10, PM2.5, PM1, BC, NO2, SO2, O3, CO, and TVOC than LT schools, all at p < 0.001. Children in the HT area were more likely to get higher histone H3 levels (z = -5.13). There were positive weak correlations between histone H3 level and concentrations of NO2 (r = 0.37), CO (r = 0.36), PM1 (r = 0.35), PM2.5 (r = 0.34), SO2 (r = 0.34), PM10 (r = 0.33), O3 (r = 0.33), TVOC (r = 0.25), and BC (r = 0.19). Overall, this study proposes the possible role of histone H3 modification in interpreting the effects of TRAP exposure via non-genotoxic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Faseeha Suhaimi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Juliana Jalaludin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +603-97692401
| | - Suhaili Abu Bakar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
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18
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Althuwaynee OF, Pokharel B, Aydda A, Balogun AL, Kim SW, Park HJ. Spatial identification and temporal prediction of air pollution sources using conditional bivariate probability function and time series signature. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:709-726. [PMID: 33159165 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-020-00271-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Accurate identification of distant, large, and frequent sources of emission in cities is a complex procedure due to the presence of large-sized pollutants and the existence of many land use types. This study aims to simplify and optimize the visualization mechanism of long time-series of air pollution data, particularly for urban areas, which is naturally correlated in time and spatially complicated to analyze. Also, we elaborate different sources of pollution that were hitherto undetectable using ordinary plot models by leveraging recent advances in ensemble statistical approaches. The high performing conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF) and time-series signature were integrated within the R programming environment to facilitate the study's analysis. Hourly air pollution data for the period between 2007 to 2016 is collected using four air quality stations, (ca0016, ca0058, ca0054, and ca0025), situated in highly urbanized locations that are characterized by complex land use and high pollution emitting activities. A conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF) was used to analyze the data, utilizing pollutant concentration values such as Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NO2), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM10) as a third variable plotted on the radial axis, with wind direction and wind speed variables. Generalized linear model (GLM) and sensitivity analysis are applied to verify and visualize the relationship between Air Pollution Index (API) of PM10 and other significant pollutants of GML outputs based on quantile values. To address potential future challenges, we forecast 3 months PM10 values using a Time Series Signature statistical algorithm with time functions and validated the outcome in the 4 stations. Analysis of results reveals that sources emitting PM10 have similar activities producing other pollutants (SO2, CO, and NO2). Therefore, these pollutants can be detected by cross selection between the pollution sources in the affected city. The directional results of CBPF plot indicate that ca0058 and ca0054 enable easier detection of pollutants' sources in comparison to ca0016 and ca0025 due to being located on the edge of industrial areas. This study's CBPF technique and time series signature analysis' outcomes are promising, successfully elaborating different sources of pollution that were hitherto undetectable using ordinary plot models and thus contribute to existing air quality assessment and enhancement mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar F Althuwaynee
- Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neudong-ro Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Badal Pokharel
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali Aydda
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, B.P 8106, 80000, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Abdul-Lateef Balogun
- Geospatial Analysis and Modelling (GAM) Research Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Seri Iskandar, 32610, Perak, Malaysia.
| | - Sang-Wan Kim
- Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neudong-ro Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuck-Jin Park
- Department of Energy and Mineral Resources Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neudong-ro Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
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Source Analysis and Human Health Risk Assessment Based on Entropy Weight Method Modification of PM2.5 Heavy Metal in an Industrial Area in the Northeast of China. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12070852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, PM2.5 was analyzed for heavy metals at two sites in industrial northeast China to determine their sources and human health risks during heating and non-heating periods. A positive matrix factorization (PMF) model determined sources, and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and entropy weight methods were used to assess human health risk. PM2.5 heavy metal concentrations were higher in the heating period than in the non-heating period. In the heating period, coal combustion (59.64%) was the primary heavy metal source at Huagong Hospitals, and the contribution rates of industrial emissions and traffic emissions were 21.06% and 19.30%, respectively. Industrial emissions (42.14%) were the primary source at Xinqu Park, and the contribution rates of coal combustion and traffic emissions were 34.03% and 23.83%, respectively. During the non-heating period, coal combustion (45.29%) and industrial emissions 45.29% and 44.59%, respectively, were the primary sources at Huagong Hospital, and the traffic emissions were 10.12%. Industrial emissions (43.64%) were the primary sources at Xinqu Park, where the coal combustion and traffic emissions were 25.35% and 31.00%, respectively. In the heating period, PM2.5 heavy metals at Xinqu Park had noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, and the hazard index of children (5.74) was higher than that of adult males (5.28) and females (4.49). However, adult males and females had the highest lifetime carcinogenic risk (1.38 × 10−3 and 1.17 × 10−3) than children (3.00 × 10−4). The traditional USEPA and entropy weight methods both produced reasonable results. However, when there is a difference between the two methods, the entropy weight method is recommended to assess noncarcinogenic health risks.
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Phung VLH, Ueda K, Sahani M, Seposo XT, Wan Mahiyuddin WR, Honda A, Takano H. Investigation of association between smoke haze and under-five mortality in Malaysia, accounting for time lag, duration and intensity. Int J Epidemiol 2021; 51:155-165. [PMID: 34148080 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the association between smoke haze (hereafter 'haze') and adverse health effects have increased in recent years due to extreme weather conditions and the increased occurrence of vegetation fires. The possible adverse health effects on under-five children (U5Y) is especially worrying due to their vulnerable condition. Despite continuous repetition of serious haze occurrence in Southeast Asia, epidemiological studies in this region remained scarce. Furthermore, no study had examined the association accounting for three important aspects (time lag, duration and intensity) concurrently. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the association between haze and U5Y mortality in Malaysia, considering time lag, duration and intensity of exposure. METHODS We performed a time-stratified case-crossover study using a generalized additive model to examine the U5Y mortality related to haze in 12 districts in Malaysia, spanning from 2014 to 2016. A 'haze day' was characterized by intensity [based on concentrations of particulate matter (PM)] and duration (continuity of haze occurrence, up to 3 days). RESULTS We observed the highest but non-significant odds ratios (ORs) of U5Y mortality at lag 4 of Intensity-3. Lag patterns revealed the possibility of higher acuteness at prolonged and intensified haze. Stratifying the districts by the 95th-percentile of PM distribution, the 'low' category demonstrated marginal positive association at Intensity-2 Duration-3 [OR: 1.210 (95% confidence interval: 1.000, 1.464)]. CONCLUSIONS We found a null association between haze and U5Y mortality. The different lag patterns of the association observed over different duration and intensity suggest consideration of these aspects in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Ling Hui Phung
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kayo Ueda
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Xerxes Tesoro Seposo
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Wan Rozita Wan Mahiyuddin
- Environmental Health Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Akiko Honda
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Takano
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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21
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Diao L, Zhang H, Liu B, Dai C, Zhang Y, Dai Q, Bi X, Zhang L, Song C, Feng Y. Health risks of inhaled selected toxic elements during the haze episodes in Shijiazhuang, China: Insight into critical risk sources. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 276:116664. [PMID: 33609903 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang was collected from October 15, 2018 to January 31, 2019, and selected toxic elements were measured. Five typical haze episodes were chosen to analyze the health risks and critical risk sources. Toxic elements during the haze episodes accounted for 0.33% of PM2.5 mass. Non-cancer risk of toxic elements for children was 1.8 times higher than that for adults during the haze episodes, while cancer risk for adults was 2.5 times higher than that for children; cancer and non-cancer risks were primarily attributable to As and Mn, respectively. Health risks of toxic elements increased during the growth and stable periods of haze episodes. Non-cancer and cancer risks of toxic elements during the haze stable periods were higher than other haze stages, and higher for children than for adults during the stable period. Mn was the largest contributor to non-cancer risk during different haze stages, while As was the largest contributor to cancer risk. Crustal dust, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions were critical sources of cancer risk during the clean-air periods; while vehicle emissions, coal combustion, and crustal dust were key sources of cancer risk during the haze episodes. Cancer risks of crustal dust and vehicle emissions during the haze episodes were 2.0 and 1.7 times higher than those in the clean-air periods. Non-cancer risks from emission sources were not found during different periods. Cancer risks of biomass burning and coal combustion increased rapidly during the haze growth period, while that of coal combustion decreased sharply during the dissipation period. Vehicle emissions, crustal dust, and coal combustion were significant cancer risk sources during different haze stages, cancer risk of each source was the highest during the stable period. Southern Hebei, Northern and central Shaanxi were potential risk regions that affected the health of both adults and children in Shijiazhuang.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuli Diao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Huitao Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Baoshuang Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Chunling Dai
- Shijiazhuang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050022, China
| | - Yufen Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Qili Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xiaohui Bi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Lingzhi Zhang
- Shijiazhuang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, 050022, China
| | - Congbo Song
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yinchang Feng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Urban Ambient Air Particulate Matter Pollution Prevention and Control & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Transport Emission Research, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
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Adam MG, Tran PTM, Bolan N, Balasubramanian R. Biomass burning-derived airborne particulate matter in Southeast Asia: A critical review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 407:124760. [PMID: 33341572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Smoke haze episodes, resulting from uncontrolled biomass burning (BB) including forest and peat fires, continue to occur in Southeast Asia (SEA), affecting air quality, atmospheric visibility, climate, ecosystems, hydrologic cycle and human health. The pollutant of major concern in smoke haze is airborne particulate matter (PM). A number of fundamental laboratory, field and modeling studies have been conducted in SEA from 2010 to 2020 to investigate potential environmental and health impacts of BB-induced PM. The goal of this review is to bring together the most recent developments in our understanding of various aspects of BB-derived PM based on 127 research articles published from 2010 to 2020, which have not been conveyed in previous reviews. Specifically, this paper discusses the physical, chemical, toxicological and radiative properties of BB-derived PM. It also provides insights into the environmental and health impacts of BB-derived PM, summarizes the approaches taken to do the source apportionment of PM during BB events and discusses the mitigation of exposure to BB-derived PM. Suggestions for future research priorities are outlined. Policies needed to prevent future BB events in the SEA region are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max G Adam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Phuong T M Tran
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore; Faculty of Environment, University of Science and Technology, The University of Danang, 54 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Lien Chieu District, Danang City, Viet Nam
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Rajasekhar Balasubramanian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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Othman M, Latif MT. Air pollution impacts from COVID-19 pandemic control strategies in Malaysia. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2021; 291:125992. [PMID: 33495674 PMCID: PMC7816958 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Mitigation measures and control strategies relating to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been widely applied in many countries in order to reduce the transmission of this pandemic disease. A Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in Malaysia starting from the March 18, 2020 as a pandemic control strategy which restricted all movement and daily outdoor activities. To investigate the impact of MCO, air pollutants: particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) in nine major cities in Malaysia were measured before and during the implementation of the MCO. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessments of the air pollutants are also determined using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Health Risk Assessment method. Overall, NO2 recorded an average percentage reduction of 40% with the highest reduction observed at Kota Kinabalu (62%). The largest reductions of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, O3 and CO were recorded at Kota Kinabalu (17%), Kuantan (9.5%), Alor Star (38%), Kota Bharu (15%), and Ipoh (27%) respectively. All cities had hazard quotient (HQ) values of <1 suggesting no non-carcinogenic health effects. The highest HQ was observed for PM2.5 during the MCO period (4.53E-02) in Kuala Lumpur. An average hazard index (HI) value of 1.44E-01 (before the MCO) and 1.40E-01 (during the MCO) showed higher human health risks before the MCO than during the MCO. This study gives confidence to regulatory bodies that the reduction of human activities significantly reduces air pollution and increases human health and so good air pollution control strategies can provide crucial impacts, especially in reducing air pollution and improving human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murnira Othman
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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24
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Morakinyo OM, Mukhola MS, Mokgobu MI. Health Risk Analysis of Elemental Components of an Industrially Emitted Respirable Particulate Matter in an Urban Area. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073653. [PMID: 33915712 PMCID: PMC8036924 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is a recognised carcinogen and a priority air pollutant owing to its respirable and toxic chemical components. There is a dearth of information in South Africa on cancer and non-cancer risks of exposure to heavy metal (HM) content of PM2.5. This study determined the seasonal concentration of HM in PM2.5 and the cancer and non-cancer risks of exposure to HM in PM2.5. Ambient PM2.5 was monitored and samples were collected during the winter and summer months in an industrialized area in South Africa. Concentration levels of nine HMs—As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn—were determined in the PM2.5 samples using inductive coupled optical emission spectrophotometry. The non-cancer and cancer risks of each metal through the inhalation, ingestion and dermal routes were estimated using the Hazard Quotient and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), respectively, among infants, children, and adults. Mean concentration of each HM-bound PM2.5 was higher in winter than in summer. The probability of the HM to induce non-cancer effects was higher during winter than in summer. The mean ELCR for HMs in PM2.5 (5.24 × 10−2) was higher than the acceptable limit of 10−6 to 10−4. The carcinogenic risk from As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were higher than the acceptable limit for all age groups. The risk levels for the carcinogenic HMs followed the order: Cr > As > Cd > Ni > Pb. The findings indicated that the concentrations of HM in PM2.5 demonstrated a season-dependent pattern and could trigger cancer and non-cancer health risks. The formulation of a regulatory standard for HM in South Africa and its enforcement will help in reducing human exposure to HM-bound PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (M.S.M.); (M.I.M.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (M.S.M.); (M.I.M.)
| | - Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (M.S.M.); (M.I.M.)
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25
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Latif MT, Dominick D, Hawari NSSL, Mohtar AAA, Othman M. The concentration of major air pollutants during the movement control order due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2021; 66:102660. [PMID: 33520606 PMCID: PMC7833430 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2020.102660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many governments across the world to implement some form of lockdown to minimalize the spread of the virus. On 18th March 2020, the Malaysian government put into action an enforced movement control order (MCO) to reduce the numbers of infections. This study aims to investigate the concentrations of air pollutants during the MCO in the Klang Valley. The concentrations of air pollutants were recorded by the continuous air quality monitoring system (CAQMS) operated by the Department of Environment. The results showed that there were significant reductions (p < 0.05) of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and CO during the MCO compared with the same periods in 2019 and 2018. The highest percentage of reduction during the MCO was recorded by NO2 with a percentage reduction of between -55 % and -72 %. O3 concentrations at several stations showed an increase due to the reductions of its precursors such as NO. Further investigation using diurnal patterns of air pollutant concentrations both before and during the MCO showed that NO2 and CO were both reduced significantly during the rush hours, indicating the reduction in motor vehicles on the roads as a consequence of the MCO influenced the levels of these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, 60115 Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Doreena Dominick
- Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Nor Syamimi Sufiera Limi Hawari
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Anis Asma Ahmad Mohtar
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Murnira Othman
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
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26
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Othman M, Latif MT, Jamhari AA, Abd Hamid HH, Uning R, Khan MF, Mohd Nadzir MS, Sahani M, Abdul Wahab MI, Chan KM. Spatial distribution of fine and coarse particulate matter during a southwest monsoon in Peninsular Malaysia. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 262:127767. [PMID: 32763576 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the spatial distribution of PM2.5 and PM10 collected in four regions (North, Central, South and East Coast) of Peninsular Malaysia during the southwest monsoon. Concurrent measurements of PM2.5 and PM10 were performed using a high volume sampler (HVS) for 24 h (August to September 2018) collecting a total of 104 samples. All samples were then analysed for water soluble inorganic ions (WSII) using ion chromatography, trace metals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The results showed that the highest average PM2.5 concentration during the sampling campaign was in the North region (33.2 ± 5.3 μg m-3) while for PM10 the highest was in the Central region (38.6 ± 7.70 μg m-3). WSII recorded contributions of 22% for PM2.5 and 20% for PM10 mass, with SO42- the most abundant species with average concentrations of 1.83 ± 0.42 μg m-3 (PM2.5) and 2.19 ± 0.27 μg m-3 (PM10). Using a Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model, soil fertilizer (23%) was identified as the major source of PM2.5 while industrial activity (25%) was identified as the major source of PM10. Overall, the studied metals had hazard quotients (HQ) value of <1 indicating a very low risk of non-carcinogenic elements while the highest excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was recorded for Cr VI in the South region with values of 8.4E-06 (PM2.5) and 6.6E-05 (PM10). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) calculated from the PAH concentrations was within the acceptable range for all regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murnira Othman
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anas Ahmad Jamhari
- Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Royston Uning
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ikram Abdul Wahab
- Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok Meng Chan
- Centre for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Akhbarizadeh R, Dobaradaran S, Amouei Torkmahalleh M, Saeedi R, Aibaghi R, Faraji Ghasemi F. Suspended fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air: Their possible relationships and health implications. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110339. [PMID: 33068583 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their associated microcontaminants have been linked to increased harmful effects on the human health. In this study, the possible relationships between PM2.5, microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in an urban area of Bushehr port, in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Presence, sources, and health risks of MPs and PAHs in both normal and dusty days were also investigated. The median of PM2.5 and ƩPAHs were 52.8 μg/m3 and 14.1 ng/m3, respectively, indicating high pollution levels especially in dusty days. The mean level of MPs in urban suspended PM2.5 was 5.2 items/m3. Fragments were the most abundant shape of identified MPs and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most plastic types in urban dust of Bushehr port. The results revealed that PM2.5 and MPs may possibly act as a carrier for airborne MPs and PAHs, respectively. In addition, the significant positive relationships between MPs, wind speed and wind direction, confirmed that the MPs transportation were highly controlled by atmospheric condition. Moreover, the source identification methods and trajectory analyses indicated that petrogenic sources from both proximal and distal origins play an important role in the level of PAHs. The results of chronic health risk evaluation via inhalation revealed that PM2.5-bound PAHs had high potential cancer risk in winter, while, the estimated risks for non-carcinogenic PAHs were not considerable. In the case of MPs, the assessment of human intake of MPs via inhalation highlighted the possible risks for habitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razegheh Akhbarizadeh
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany.
| | - Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Reza Saeedi
- Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Health, Safety and Environment, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roza Aibaghi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Faraji Ghasemi
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Mangal A, Satsangi A, Lakhani A, Kumari KM. Characterization of ambient PM 1 at a suburban site of Agra: chemical composition, sources, health risk and potential cytotoxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:621-642. [PMID: 33094390 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00737-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted at a University campus of Agra to determine concentrations of crustal and trace elements in submicron mode (PM1) particles to reveal sources and detrimental effects of PM1-bound metals (Cr, Cd, Mn, Zn, As, Co, Pb, Cu and Ni) in samples collected in the foggy (1 December 2016-17 January 2017) and non-foggy periods (1 April 2016-30 June 2016). Samples were collected twice a week on preweighed quartz fibre filters (QM-A 47 mm) for 24 h using Envirotech APM 577 (flow rate 10 l min-1). Mass concentration of PM1 was 135.0 ± 28.2 and 54.0 ± 18.5 µg/m3 during foggy and non-foggy period, respectively; crustal and trace elements were 13 and 4% during foggy and 11 and 3% in the non-foggy period. Source identification by PCA (principal component analysis) suggested that biomass burning and coal combustion was the prominent sources in foggy period followed by resuspended soil dust, industrial and vehicular emission, whereas in non-foggy period resuspended soil dust was dominant followed by biomass burning and coal combustion, industrial and vehicular emissions. In both episodes, Mn has the highest Hq (hazard quotient) value and Cr has the highest IlcR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) value for both adults and children. In vitro cytotoxicity impact on macrophage (J774) cells was also tested using MTT assay which revealed decreasing cell viability with increasing particle mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Mangal
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute Dayalbagh, Agra, UP, 282005, India
| | - Aparna Satsangi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute Dayalbagh, Agra, UP, 282005, India
| | - Anita Lakhani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute Dayalbagh, Agra, UP, 282005, India
| | - K Maharaj Kumari
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute Dayalbagh, Agra, UP, 282005, India.
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Dejchanchaiwong R, Tekasakul P, Tekasakul S, Phairuang W, Nim N, Sresawasd C, Thongboon K, Thongyen T, Suwattiga P. Impact of transport of fine and ultrafine particles from open biomass burning on air quality during 2019 Bangkok haze episode. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 97:149-161. [PMID: 32933730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transboundary and domestic aerosol transport during 2018-2019 affecting Bangkok air quality has been investigated. Physicochemical characteristics of size-segregated ambient particles down to nano-particles collected during 2017 non-haze and 2018-2019 haze periods were analyzed. The average PM2.5 concentrations at KU and KMUTNB sites in Bangkok, Thailand during the haze periods were about 4 times higher than in non-haze periods. The highest average organic carbon and elemental carbon concentrations were 4.6 ± 2.1 µg/m3 and 1.0 ± 0.4 µg/m3, respectively, in PM0.5-1.0 range at KU site. The values of OC/EC and char-EC/soot-EC ratios in accumulation mode particles suggested the significant influence of biomass burning, while the nuclei and coarse mode particles were from mixed sources. PAH concentrations during 2018-2019 haze period at KU and KMUTNB were 3.4 ± 0.9 ng/m3 and 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/m3, respectively. The PAH diagnostic ratio of PM2.5 also suggested the main contributions were from biomass combustion. This is supported by the 48-hrs backward trajectory simulation. The higher PM2.5 concentrations during 2018-2019 haze period are also associated with the meteorological conditions that induce thermal inversions and weak winds in the morning and evening. Average values of benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency quotient during haze period were about 3-6 times higher than during non-haze period. This should raise a concern of potential human health risk in Bangkok and vicinity exposing to fine and ultrafine particulate matters in addition to regular exposure to traffic emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racha Dejchanchaiwong
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
| | - Perapong Tekasakul
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Surajit Tekasakul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Worradorn Phairuang
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Nobchonnee Nim
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Energy System Research Institute, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Chaiyoth Sresawasd
- Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Energy System Research Institute, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Kunchira Thongboon
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Thunyapat Thongyen
- Department of Technology and Environmental Management, Faculty of environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Panwadee Suwattiga
- Department of Agro-Industrial, Food and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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Chomanee J, Thongboon K, Tekasakul S, Furuuchi M, Dejchanchaiwong R, Tekasakul P. Physicochemical and toxicological characteristics of nanoparticles in aerosols in southern Thailand during recent haze episodes in lower southeast Asia. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 94:72-80. [PMID: 32563489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transboundary haze from biomass burning is one of the most important air pollutions in Southeast Asia. The most recent serious haze episode occurred in 2015. Southern Thailand was affected by the haze during September to October when the particulate matter concentration hit a record high. We investigated physical and chemical characteristics of aerosols, including concentration and aerosol size distribution down to sub-micron sizes during haze episodes in 2013 and 2015 and, for reference, an insignificant haze period in 2017. The highest total suspended particulates and PM10 levels in Hat Yai city were 340.1 and 322.5 µg/m3. The mass fractions were nanoparticles (< 100 nm) 3.1%-14.8% and fine particles (< 1 µm) 54.6%-59.1%. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon size distributions in haze periods peaked at 0.75 µm and the concentrations are 2-30 times higher than the normal period. High molecular weight (4-6 ring) PAHs during the haze episode contribute to about 56.7%-88.0% for nanoparticles. The average values of benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency quotient were 3.34±2.54ng/m3 in the 2015 haze period but only 0.89±0.17 ng/m3 in 2017. It is clear that particles smaller than 1 µm, were highly toxic. Nanoparticles contributed 19.4%-26.0% of total BaP-TEQ, whereas the mass fraction is 13.1%-14.8%. Thus the nanoparticles were more carcinogenic and can cause greater health effect than larger particles. The fraction of BaP-TEQ for nanoparticles during 2017 non-haze period was nearly the same, while the mass fraction was lower. This indicates that nanoparticles are the significant source of carcinogenic aerosols both during haze and non-haze periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraporn Chomanee
- Department of Basic Science and Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Thaksin University, Songkhla, 90000, Thailand
| | - Kunchira Thongboon
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Surajit Tekasakul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Masami Furuuchi
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Racha Dejchanchaiwong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand
| | - Perapong Tekasakul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand; Air Pollution and Health Effect Research Center, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
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Morakinyo OM, Mukhola MS, Mokgobu MI. Concentration levels and carcinogenic and mutagenic risks of PM 2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an urban-industrial area in South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:2163-2178. [PMID: 31848784 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00493-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Concerns over the health effects of exposure to particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) led the South African Government to establish the national standard for PM2.5 in the year 2012. However, there is currently no exposure limit for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PM2.5-bound PAHs. The understanding of the concentration levels and potential health risks of exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs is important in ensuring a suitable risk assessment and risk management plans. This study, therefore, determined the concentration levels and carcinogenic and mutagenic health risks of PM2.5-bound PAHs. A hundred and forty-four PM2.5 samples were collected over 4 months during the winter and summer seasons of 2016 in an industrial area. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and their carcinogenic and mutagenic risks were determined using the Human Health Risk Assessment model. The mean winter (38.20 ± 8.4 μg/m3) and summer (22.3 ± 4.1 μg/m3) concentrations of PM2.5 levels were lower than the stipulated 40 μg/m3 daily limit. The daily inhalation and ingestion exposure to PAHs for all age groups were higher than the daily exposure through the dermal contact. Children and adults are more likely to inhale and ingest PAHs in PM2.5 than infants. The excess cancer risk and excess mutagenic risk values were below the priority risk level (10-4). There is a potential risk of 1-8 per million persons developing cancer from exposure to benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene over a lifetime of 70 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Xiao Y, Lv Y, Zhou Y, Liu H, Liu J. Size-resolved surface deposition and coagulation of indoor particles. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2020; 30:251-267. [PMID: 30919657 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1591351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the influence of surface deposition and coagulation on indoor particles larger than 0.25 μm by conducting tests in a room-sized enclosed chamber under different air temperatures. The particles, processed dust intercepted by indoor air conditioners, were generated using an aerosol generator. The deposition rate and coagulation coefficients were used to estimate the efficiency of indoor particle surface deposition and coagulation in this study. The results show that the deposition rates increase as the air temperature rises, and high temperatures can also increase the coagulation coefficient. In addition, test results show that the enhancement of indoor air mixing intensity can increase both the deposition rates and the coagulation efficiencies. The contribution of coagulation to the total decay of indoor particle concentrations decreases over time, and the contribution is higher for particles in the range of 0.25-0.5 μm than those in the range of 0.5-1.0 μm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xiao
- School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cold Region Urban and Rural Human Settlement Environment Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yang Lv
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yuwei Zhou
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Harbin Multi-Phase Water Treatment Tech. Co., Ltd, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cold Region Urban and Rural Human Settlement Environment Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Harbin, China
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Abstract
Severe haze episodes have periodically occurred in Southeast Asia, specifically taunting Malaysia with adverse effects. A technique called cluster analysis was used to analyze these occurrences. Traditional cluster analysis, in particular, hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA), was applied directly to data sets. The data sets may contain hidden patterns that can be explored. In this paper, this underlying information was captured via persistent homology, a topological data analysis (TDA) tool, which extracts topological features including components, holes, and cavities in the data sets. In particular, an improved version of HACA was proposed by combining HACA and persistent homology. Additionally, a comparative study between traditional HACA and improved HACA was done using particulate matter data, which was the major pollutant found during haze episodes by the Klang, Petaling Jaya, and Shah Alam air quality monitoring stations. The effectiveness of these two clustering approaches was evaluated based on their ability to cluster the months according to the haze condition. The results showed that clustering based on topological features via the improved HACA approach was able to correctly group the months with severe haze compared to clustering them without such features, and these results were consistent for all three locations.
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Zeng W, Liu T, Du Q, Li J, Xiao J, Guo L, Li X, Xu Y, Xu X, Wan D, Ma W. The interplay of haze characteristics on mortality in the Pearl River Delta of China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109279. [PMID: 32113023 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To estimate the mortality risk from haze and the modifying effects by three characteristics of haze (intensity, duration and timing), data on haze and mortality in the Pearl River Delta region from 2013 to 2016 were collected. We first estimated mortality risk during haze days compared with non-haze days. Then we classified haze into several categories by considering one or any two of the three haze characteristics together, and further calculated the mortality risks separately. The mortality risk increased 5.0% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 3.1%-6.9%) during hazy days compared with non-haze days, with larger effect for the elderly ≥ 85 years old (Excess risk (ER): 8.7%, 95% CI: 3.9%-13.6%) than other age groups. Mortality risk increased in longer haze (ER: 4.4%, 95% CI: 2.9%-6.0%) compared with shorter haze (ER: 1.9%, 95% CI: 0.7%-3.2%). The greatest effect of any two of haze characteristics was observed when haze was intense and long (ER: 4.8%, 95% CI: 3.0%-6.6%). Our study indicates that haze significantly increased mortality risk in the Pearl River Delta. The health effects of haze may be under-estimated when using a single air pollutant concentration during haze periods to assess health risk of haze events. The haze intensity, duration, and time of occurrence should be accounted for in appropriate risk assessment of haze.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China; Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
| | - Tao Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China; Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
| | - Qingfeng Du
- Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
| | - Jianyi Li
- Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
| | - Jianpeng Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China.
| | - Lingchuan Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China.
| | - Xing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China.
| | - Yanjun Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China.
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China.
| | - Donghua Wan
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China; Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511430, China; Naihai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528244, China.
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Othman M, Latif MT. Pollution characteristics, sources, and health risk assessments of urban road dust in Kuala Lumpur City. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:11227-11245. [PMID: 31956949 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07633-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Urban road dust contains anthropogenic components at toxic concentrations which can be hazardous to human health. A total of 36 road dust samples from five different urban areas, a commercial (CM), a high traffic (HT), a park (GR), a rail station (LRT), and a residential area (RD), were collected in Kuala Lumpur City followed by investigation into compositions, sources, and human health risks. The concentrations of trace metals in road dust and the bioaccessible fraction were determined using inductively couple plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) while ion concentrations were determined using ion chromatography (IC). The trace metal concentrations were dominated by Fe and Al with contributions of 53% and 21% to the total trace metal and ion concentrations in road dust. Another dominant metal was Zn while the dominant ion was Ca2+ with average concentrations of 314 ± 190 μg g-1 and 3470 ± 1693 μg g-1, respectively. The most bioaccessible fraction was Zn followed by the sequence Sr > Cd > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co > Mn > As > V > Pb > Fe > Al > U. The results revealed that the highest trace metal and ion concentrations in road dust and in the bioaccessible fraction were found at the LRT area. Based on the source apportionment analysis, the major source of road dust was vehicle emissions/traffic activity (47%), and for the bioaccessible fraction, the major source was soil dust (50%). For the health risk assessments, hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR) values for each element were < 1 and in the tolerable range (1.0E-06 to 1.0E-04), except for As for the ingestion pathway. This result suggests a low risk from non-carcinogenic and probable risk from carcinogenic elements, with higher health risks for children compared to adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murnira Othman
- Centre for Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Centre for Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Research Progress of HP Characteristics, Hazards, Control Technologies, and Measures in China after 2013. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10120767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, hazy weather (hazy weather (HW) has frequently invaded peoples’ lives in China, resulting in the disturbance of social operation, so it is urgent to resolve the haze pollution (HP) problem. A comprehensive understanding of HP is essential to further effectively alleviate or even eliminate it. In this study, HP characteristics in China, after 2013, were presented. It was found that the situation of HP is getting better year by year while it has been a pattern of high levels in the north and low levels in the south. In most regions of China, the contribution of a secondary source for HP is relatively large, and that of traffic is greater in the regions with rapid economic development. Hazards of HP were then summarized. Not only does HP cause harm to human health, but it also has effects on human production and quality of life, furthermore, property and atmospheric environment cannot be ignored. Next, the source and non-source control technologies of HP were first reviewed to recognize the weakness of HP control in China. This review provides more systematic information about HP problems and the future development directions of HP research were proposed to further effectively control HP in China.
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Caggiano R, Sabia S, Speranza A. Trace elements and human health risks assessment of finer aerosol atmospheric particles (PM 1). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:36423-36433. [PMID: 31728947 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06756-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated PM1 (aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1.0 μm) mass concentrations and sixteen (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, S, Ti, and Zn) PM1-related trace elements. PM1 samples were collected in an anthropized area of international attention close to oil/gas pre-treatment plants in Agri Valley (Southern Italy). The PM1 mass concentrations varied from 3 to 16 μg/m3. The decreasing pattern of the trace element concentrations was S > Ca > Na > K ≈ Mg ≈ Fe> Al > Li > Cr > Zn > Ti> Cu > Ni ≈ Mn > Pb ≈ Cd. Anthropogenic local emissions such as biomass burning, vehicular traffic, and industrial sources mainly related to oil/gas pre-treatment plants were identified by the principal component analysis. Further, air mass back-trajectory analyses suggest an important contribute to the long-range transport on PM1 at Agri Valley. The carcinogenic (Cd, Cr(VI), Ni, and Pb) and non-carcinogenic (Cd, Cr(VI), Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) health risks both for children and for adults were assessed using the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methods considering inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact pathway. Chromium (VI) posed the highest carcinogenic risk for both children and adults. The integrated carcinogenic risks were respectively 3.45 × 10-5 and 1.38 × 10-4 for children and adults indicating that attention should be paid for carcinogenic health effects. Nickel posed the highest non-carcinogenic risk for children through inhalation pathway. The integrated non-carcinogenic risk showed a value higher than 1 highlighting that Cd, Cr(VI), Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn may cause cumulative non-carcinogenic health effect for children from inhalation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Caggiano
- IMAA, Istituto di Metodologie per l'Analisi Ambientale, CNR, C.da S. Loja, Z.I., 85050, Tito Scalo, PZ, Italy.
| | - Serena Sabia
- IMAA, Istituto di Metodologie per l'Analisi Ambientale, CNR, C.da S. Loja, Z.I., 85050, Tito Scalo, PZ, Italy
| | - Antonio Speranza
- IMAA, Istituto di Metodologie per l'Analisi Ambientale, CNR, C.da S. Loja, Z.I., 85050, Tito Scalo, PZ, Italy
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38
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Ant Forest through the Haze: A Case Study of Gamified Participatory Pro-Environmental Communication in China. J 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/j2040030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing energy consumption and growing pollutant emissions speak volumes about the environmental challenges in various countries and regions. As one of the fastest-developing countries, China has been facing a serious environmental crisis, with many parts of the country constantly shrouded in a heavy haze. In order to improve the public’s pro-environmental awareness and encourage people to take action to contribute to energy conservation and emissions reduction, Ant Forest, a gamified participatory communication program, was launched on the top mobile payment service Alipay. This innovative approach links people’s low-carbon lifestyles with afforestation and haze control in the real world through virtual gaming experiences. This case study explains the working mechanism of Ant Forest in pro-environmental communication and investigates its effectiveness in motivating the public to engage in pro-environmental activities. Focus groups and interviews were adopted in this study to collect qualitative data. The results indicate that Ant Forest plays an encouraging role in Chinese users’ pro-environmental awareness and behaviors, but improvements in user experiences are still needed in some aspects. By introducing the haze problem in China and the practice of gamified participatory pro-environmental communication, this paper is expected to provide inspiration and reference for future efforts to promote public participation in environmental protection.
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Li W, Liu X, Zhang Y, Tan Q, Feng M, Song M, Hui L, Qu Y, An J, Gao H. Insights into the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in haze: A case study in Beijing. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 84:122-132. [PMID: 31284903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A severe haze episode occurred in winter in the North China Plain (NCP), and the phenomenon of an explosive growth and sharp decline in PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 μm) concentration was observed. To study the systematic causes for this phenomenon, comprehensive observations were conducted in Beijing from November 26 to December 2, 2015; during this period, meteorological parameters, LIDAR data, and the chemical compositions of aerosols were determined. The haze episode was characterized by rapidly varying PM2.5 concentration, and the highest PM2.5 concentration reached 667 μg/m3. During the haze episode, the NCP was dominated by a weak high-pressure system and continuously low PBL (planetary boundary layer) heights, which are unfavorable conditions for the diffusion of pollutants. The large increases in the concentrations of SNA (SO42-, NO3- and NH4+) during the haze implied that the formation of SNA was the largest contribution. Water vapor also played a vital role in the formation of haze by promoting the chemical transformation of secondary pollutants, which led to higher PM2.5 concentrations. The spatial distributions of PM2.5 in Beijing at different times and the backward trajectories of the air masses also indicated that pollutants from surrounding provinces in particular, contributed to the higher PM2.5 concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xingang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yuanhang Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qinwen Tan
- Chengdu Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Miao Feng
- Chengdu Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Mengdi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Lirong Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yu Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Junling An
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Haokai Gao
- Environmental monitoring station of Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone, Tianjin 300308, China
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40
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Zhang H, Wang Z, Zhang X. Methylmercury concentrations and potential sources in atmospheric fine particles in Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 681:183-190. [PMID: 31103656 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics and sources of methylmercury (MeHg) in atmospheric fine particles remain poorly elucidated. We obtained the concentrations of MeHg bound to atmospheric fine particles in four seasons, from September 2015 to July 2016, at an urban site in Beijing, China. Concentrations ranged from <0.01 to 1.33 pg m-3, averaging at 0.21 ± 0.17 pg m-3. The highest concentration of MeHg in atmospheric fine particles occurred in summer. Relatively high mass composition of MeHg in atmospheric fine particles occurred when the concentrations of PM2.5 were low. Intense sunlight and atmospheric oxidants promoted the formation of MeHg that was then enriched on atmospheric fine particles. Moreover, precipitation scavenged 29.4-77.0% of the MeHg bound to atmospheric fine particles. The possible sources of MeHg in atmospheric fine particles were identified using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model. Dimethylmercury (DMeHg) decomposition and MeHg surface volatilization, combustion and marine sources, dust, and heterogeneous reactions contributed 47.8%, 18.7%, 16.4%, and 13.2% of the MeHg in atmospheric fine particle, respectively. This study supplements knowledge on the concentrations, atmospheric processes, and sources of MeHg in atmospheric fine particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhangwei Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Roy D, Seo YC, Kim S, Oh J. Human health risks assessment for airborne PM 10-bound metals in Seoul, Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:24247-24261. [PMID: 31230235 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05213-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is the social, political, and economic center of the country. Significant levels of PM10-bound As metalloid and metals have been found in the city, which poses possible adverse health risks to the residents from inhalation exposure. Therefore, this study focuses on the health risk assessment of age-dependent cancer and non-cancer using exposure pathway and human respiratory tract (HRT) mass deposition models. In the case of non-cancer risks, the hazard quotient (HQ) of As via ingestion exposure and the hazard index (HI) was found to be significant (> 1) for the children. The cancer risks through ingestion pathway (CRing) were estimated in the order of 10-4 and 10-5 for children and adult groups, respectively. The overall CRing levels for children were estimated slightly higher than the acceptable level of cancer risk (1 × 10-4) at all locations throughout the study area. Moreover, the risks of cancer through the inhalation (CRinh) and incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) due to HRT mass deposition were found to be significant (> 10-6) and with very small discrepancy in risk levels for both age groups. Furthermore, possible sources of the PM10-bound metalloid (As) and metals were predicted through correlation, principal component, and enrichment factor analysis. The results of source apportionment study indicated the local anthropogenic emission sources (vehicular, biomass/coal/oil combustion, industrial), road dust re-suspension, and trans-boundary sources were responsible for the pollution levels in Seoul, South Korea. The health risks can be minimized by reducing the pollution levels of particulate matter at source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanada Roy
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, 220-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chil Seo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, 220-710, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongheon Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, 220-710, Republic of Korea.
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Othman M, Latif MT, Matsumi Y. The exposure of children to PM 2.5 and dust in indoor and outdoor school classrooms in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 170:739-749. [PMID: 30583285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It is important to assess indoor air quality in school classrooms where the air quality may significantly influence school children's health and performance. This study aims to determine the concentrations of PM2.5 and dust chemical compositions in indoor and outdoor school classroom located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The PM2.5 concentration was measured from 19th September 2017-16th February 2018 using an optical PM2.5 sensor. Indoor and outdoor dust was also collected from the school classrooms and ion and trace metal concentrations were analysed using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively couple plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) respectively. This study showed that the average indoor and outdoor 24 h PM2.5 was 11.2 ± 0.45 µg m-3 and 11.4 ± 0.44 µg m-3 respectively. The 8 h PM2.5 concentration ranged between 3.2 and 28 µg m-3 for indoor and 3.2 and 19 µg m-3 for outdoor classrooms. The highest ion concentration in indoor dust was Ca2+ with an average concentration of 38.5 ± 35.0 µg g-1 while for outdoor dust SO42- recorded the highest ion concentration with an average concentration of 30.6 ± 9.37 µg g-1. Dominant trace metals in both indoor and outdoor dust were Al, Fe and Zn. Principle component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) demonstrated that the major source of indoor dust was road dust (69%), while soil dominated the outdoor dust (74%). Health risk assessment showed that the hazard quotient (HQ) value for non-carcinogenic trace metals was < 1 while the total cancer risk (CR) value for carcinogenic elements was below the acceptable limit for both indoor and outdoor dust through dermal and inhalation pathways, but not the ingestion pathway. This study suggests indoor contributions of PM2.5 concentrations are due to the activities of the school children while the compositions of indoor and outdoor dust are greatly influenced by the soil/earth source plus industrial and traffic contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murnira Othman
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yutaka Matsumi
- Institute for Space-Earth Environment Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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Chin YSJ, De Pretto L, Thuppil V, Ashfold MJ. Public awareness and support for environmental protection-A focus on air pollution in peninsular Malaysia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212206. [PMID: 30870439 PMCID: PMC6417846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As in many nations, air pollution linked to rapid industrialization is a public health and environmental concern in Malaysia, especially in cities. Understanding awareness of air pollution and support for environmental protection from the general public is essential for informing governmental approaches to dealing with this problem. This study presents a cross-sectional survey conducted in the Klang Valley and Iskandar conurbations to examine urban Malaysians’ perception, awareness and opinions of air pollution. The survey was conducted in two languages, English and Malay, and administered through the online survey research software, Qualtrics. The survey consisted of three sections, where we collected sociodemographic information, information on the public perception of air quality and the causes of air pollution, information on public awareness of air pollution and its related impacts, and information on attitudes towards environmental protection. Of 214 respondents, over 60% were positive towards the air quality at both study sites despite the presence of harmful levels of air pollution. The air in the Klang Valley was perceived to be slightly more polluted and causing greater health issues. Overall, the majority of respondents were aware that motor vehicles represent the primary pollution source, yet private transport was still the preferred choice of transportation mode. A generally positive approach towards environmental protection emerged from the data. However, participants showed stronger agreement with protection actions that do not involve individual effort. Nonetheless, we found that certain segments of the sample (people owning more than three vehicles per household and those with relatives who suffered from respiratory diseases) were significantly more willing to personally pay for environmental protection compared to others. Implications point to the need for actions for spreading awareness of air pollution to the overall population, especially with regards to its health risks, as well as strategies for increasing the perception of behavioural control, especially with regards to motor vehicles’ usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunn Shin Jocelyne Chin
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Laura De Pretto
- Department of Applied Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Psychology, School of Social and Health Sciences, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Vivek Thuppil
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Matthew J. Ashfold
- School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
- Mindset Interdisciplinary Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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Sulong NA, Latif MT, Sahani M, Khan MF, Fadzil MF, Tahir NM, Mohamad N, Sakai N, Fujii Y, Othman M, Tohno S. Distribution, sources and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM 2.5 collected during different monsoon seasons and haze episode in Kuala Lumpur. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 219:1-14. [PMID: 30528968 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the distribution and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 collected in Kuala Lumpur during different monsoon seasons. The potential sources of PM2.5 were investigated using 16 priority PAHs with additional of biomass tracers namely levoglucosan (LV), mannosan (MN) and galactosan (GL). This study also investigated the cytotoxic potential of the extracted PAHs towards V79-4 cells. A high-volume air sampler (HVS) was used to collect PM2.5 samples for 24 h. PAHs were extracted using dichloromethane (DCM) while biomass tracers were extracted by a mixture of DCM/methanol (3:1) before analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxicity of the PAHs extract was determined by assessing the cell viability through the reduction of tetrazolium salts (MTT). The results showed that the total mean ± SD concentrations of PAHs during the southwest (SW) and northeast (NE) monsoons were 2.51 ± 0.93 ng m-3 and 1.37 ± 0.09 ng m-3, respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) using PAH and biomass tracer concentrations suggested four potential sources of PM2.5; gasoline emissions (29.1%), natural gas and coal burning (28.3%), biomass burning (22.3%), and diesel and heavy oil combustion (20.3%). Health risk assessment showed insignificant incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of 2.40E-07 for 70 years of exposure. MTT assay suggested that PAHs extracts collected during SW monsoon have cytotoxic effect towards V79-4 cell at the concentrations of 25 μg mL-1, 50 μg mL-1, 100 μg mL-1 whereas non-cytotoxic effect was observed on the PAHs sample collected during NE monsoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Azura Sulong
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Centre for Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute for Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Fais Fadzil
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Norhayati Mohd Tahir
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Noorlin Mohamad
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Nobumitsu Sakai
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyoto University, 4, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fujii
- Department of Sustainable System Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities and Sustainable System Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531, Japan
| | - Murnira Othman
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Susumu Tohno
- Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Men C, Liu R, Wang Q, Guo L, Shen Z. The impact of seasonal varied human activity on characteristics and sources of heavy metals in metropolitan road dusts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 637-638:844-854. [PMID: 29763865 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to significant human activity, road dust is becoming contaminated by heavy metals in many cities. To comprehensively investigate the variation of contamination level and sources of heavy metals in road dust, 10 heavy metals in road dust samples from Beijing, China, in both summer and winter, were evaluated by spatial analysis using geographic information system (GIS) mapping technology and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) Model. Although the concentrations of some heavy metals between summer and winter had similarities, the differences of others and spatial distributions of heavy metals between summer and winter were considerable. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Fe were lower in winter, while those of Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were higher. According to the values of the Pollution Index (PI) and Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI), there were no obvious differences between summer and winter, but the range between different sites in winter was nearly twice that of summer. Based on the PMF model, four sources of heavy metals in the dust samples were identified. Although the types of sources were consistent, the relative contributions of each source differed between summer and winter. Non-exhaust vehicle emissions was the most important source in summer (34.47 wt%), while fuel combustion contributed the largest proportion to the total heavy metals in winter (32.40 wt%). The impact of each source also showed spatial variation different trends in summer and winter. With the alteration of seasons, intensity of human activities also changed, such as the number of tourists, energy needs for building temperature regulation, construction, and the amount of pesticides and fertilizer. That might be the reason for the variation of heavy metal concentrations and relative contribution of their sources between summer and winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Men
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Ruimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Qingrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Lijia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhenyao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
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Samsuddin NAC, Khan MF, Maulud KNA, Hamid AH, Munna FT, Rahim MAA, Latif MT, Akhtaruzzaman M. Local and transboundary factors' impacts on trace gases and aerosol during haze episode in 2015 El Niño in Malaysia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:1502-1514. [PMID: 29554768 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Southeast Asian haze is a semi-natural phenomenon that chokes the region each year during the dry monsoon season. Smoke-haze episodes caused by the vegetation and peat fires in Indonesia severely affected large parts of Malaysia during the 2015 El Niño phenomenon. This study aimed to evaluate the factors that influenced the concentrations of aerosol and trace gases during the 2015 haze and non-haze period on a semi-urban site in the southern part of Malaysian peninsula that facing Sumatra (Muar, Site A), and on an urban site near to Kuala Lumpur, influenced by the city centre (Cheras, Site B). Local land use data and the cluster of air mass weighted backward trajectory were used to identify the potential factors from local sources and the transboundary region, respectively. The annual median concentrations of PM10 for semi-urban and urban sites were 45.0μg/m3 and 47.0μg/m3, respectively for the study period (Jan-Dec 2015) from the hourly observation dataset. The highest PM10 concentrations during the haze were 358μg/m3 and 415μg/m3 for the two sites, respectively, representing absolutely unhealthy air. However, the trace gases were within the safe threshold. The average concentrations of PM10 and carbon monoxide were two fold higher during the haze than the non-haze episodes on both sites. Nitrogen dioxide was more influenced by haze compared with sulphur dioxide and ozone. The results of the land use change suggest that the local factor can also partially affect the air pollution on the urban area (Site B) but more visible in 2015. The results of the backward trajectory and the wildfire radiative power showed that the smoke-haze episodes that affected Malaysia in 2015 were mainly initiated in the Indonesian Sumatra and Kalimantan regions. This study provides a very useful information towards the impacted region during El Niño haze episode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Adilla Che Samsuddin
- School of Ocean Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud
- Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Hazuwan Hamid
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fahia Tarannum Munna
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Aizat Ab Rahim
- Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Md Akhtaruzzaman
- School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Ramakreshnan L, Aghamohammadi N, Fong CS, Bulgiba A, Zaki RA, Wong LP, Sulaiman NM. Haze and health impacts in ASEAN countries: a systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:2096-2111. [PMID: 29209970 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0860-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal haze episodes and the associated inimical health impacts have become a regular crisis among the ASEAN countries. Even though many emerging experimental and epidemiological studies have documented the plausible health effects of the predominating toxic pollutants of haze, the consistency among the reported findings by these studies is poorly understood. By addressing such gap, this review aimed to critically highlight the evidence of physical and psychological health impacts of haze from the available literature in ASEAN countries. Systematic literature survey from six electronic databases across the environmental and medical disciplines was performed, and 20 peer-reviewed studies out of 384 retrieved articles were selected. The evidence pertaining to the health impacts of haze based on field survey, laboratory tests, modelling and time-series analysis were extracted for expert judgement. In specific, no generalization can be made on the reported physical symptoms as no specific symptoms recorded in all the reviewed studies except for throat discomfort. Consistent evidence was found for the increase in respiratory morbidity, especially for asthma, whilst the children and the elderly are deemed to be the vulnerable groups of the haze-induced respiratory ailments. A consensual conclusion on the association between the cardiovascular morbidity and haze is unfeasible as the available studies are scanty and geographically limited albeit of some reported increased cases. A number of modelling and simulation studies demonstrated elevating respiratory mortality rates due to seasonal haze exposures over the years. Besides, evidence on cancer risk is inconsistent where industrial and vehicular emissions are also expected to play more notable roles than mere haze exposure. There are insufficient regional studies to examine the association between the mental health and haze. Limited toxicological studies in ASEAN countries often impede a comprehensive understanding of the biological mechanism of haze-induced toxic pollutants on human physiology. Therefore, the lack of consistent evidence among the reported haze-induced health effects as highlighted in this review calls for more intensive longitudinal and toxicological studies with greater statistical power to disseminate more reliable and congruent findings to empower the institutional health planning among the ASEAN countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logaraj Ramakreshnan
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nasrin Aghamohammadi
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Chng Saun Fong
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Awang Bulgiba
- Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki
- Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Li Ping Wong
- Julius Centre University of Malaya, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nik Meriam Sulaiman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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