Impacts of industrial area on environment and health among residents in housing area / Iffah Haziqah Abdul Jalil

Pasir Gudang Industrial Area, the primary hub in the state of Johor is one of Malaysia’s largest industrial region covering an area with 1464 hectares. As in this study conducted at residential area that near to the Industrial Area of Pasir Gudang which is Taman Pasir Putih that discussed about the impacts of industrial area on environment and health among residents in housing area. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify the consequences of the industrial areas on the environment and health of persons living in a housing neighborhood in residential areas as well as to identify relevant recommendations for mitigating the effects. This study collected primary data by observing the study site and employing the quantitative method of Simple Random Sampling which required a total of 60 respondents from the study site to complete a questionnaire survey form regarding the topic of on the impacts of industrial area on the environment and on the health of residents living near industrial areas. The data was analyzed using the Frequency test as provided in the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23 software. Results of this research shows that the impact of industrial area on the environment in housing area include 7 types of pollution which are air pollution which is experienced by 98.3% respondent due to the industries generate manufacturing smoke. Next is odor pollution, which accounts for 81.7% respondent that happened due to industrial activities, particularly those that dump toxic waste into the drainage or river, contribute to odor pollution by clogging drains. Third is noise pollution which is 60% as stated by the respondent that industry vehicles, gas noise from the manufacturing industry. It is followed by other pollutions which are toxic waste, water, and solid waste. In term of health impact, results shows that 86.7% of respondents facing shortness of breath because of the exposed to chemical contamination, dust, and climatic influences. Next, 66.7% of respondents reported that they suffer from disease of asthma as a result of manufacturing activity near to the residential areas. Other than that, 28.3% respondents admitted that they are experiencing allergic skin disorders. Other disease are itchy eyes, cancer, cough, and fever. The recommendations to reduce industrial area pollution on environment are Control the Rate of Emission, Noise and Effluent from factory, Educate the Manufacturer to Be More Responsible, Preserve the Buffer Zone Between Industrial and Housing Area and Use of Modern Technology. Besides, the recommendations to reduce the impact of industrial area on health among residents are increase green areas in housing area, wear a face mask, see physician if symptoms occurred and practice healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, the recommendations can help relevant parties such as government, agencies, factories, and residents in reducing those impacts in the future.