PM10 levels and the association with respiratory problems among children living near quarry at Panchor Jaya Seremban / Nur Fadzieatul Abd Samah

Introduction: This study was conducted among school going children (n=96) ages ranging from 10 to 12 years old at Panchor Jaya Seremban. The main objective is to determine the association of lung function and respiratory health with PM10 concentration. The study children were divided into a study (exposed) group (n=48) and a control (unexposed) group (n=48), They were selected based on inclusive criteria: Malay, staying more than 4 years within the study area, undiagnosed for respiratory problems and staying in terrace house.
Methodology: It is a cross sectional study design with an exposed (study) respondents who were selected by stratified random sampling and by matching for the unexposed ( control) group. Gilair air sampling pump (Sensedyne®) was used to measure PM10 concentration for 12 hours sampling from 8pm to 8am. Chestgraph spirometer (Translab®) was used to measure respondents' lung function. A pre-tested, modified standardized questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and respiratory problems among respondents.
Result: The results demonstrate that PM10 concentration in study groups' house (n=48) when compared to control homes (n=48) was significantly higher (t=3.646, p<0.01). There was a significant difference for FEV1 (t= - 2.440, p=0.021) and FEV1/FVC (t= -2.292, p=0.005) among female respondents in the study group (n=l8) when compared to the control group (n=l8). There was a significant difference for FVC (t= - 2.972, p<0.05) among study group males (n=30) when compared with control group (n=3o): Cross tabulation tests on symptoms between the study groups revealed significant differences where sore throat (.r= 32.77, p<0.01), phlegm(X2= 13.503, p<0.01), shortness of breath (x2= 13.353, p<0.01), and cough(x2= 22.128, p<0.01). There was a significant difference of lung function status (X2= 6.918, p=0.009) between study group compared to control group respondents. High PM10 level also showed a significant association with lung function status (X2= 8.269, p<0.004), and phlegm (x2= 7.92, p<0.005) as well as sore throat (x2= 11.748, p=0.04) and not takiag food supplement has association with unhealthy lung function status (X2=4.321, p=0.029). Regression analysis using Enter method showed that the duration of staying at the area influenced FVC (R2 =0.056, p=0.067), FEV 1 (R2 =0.063, p=0.05)and FEV1/FVC (R2 =0.103, p=0.006) predicted values .
Conclusion: The prediction made from this study would be as the respirable quarry dust of PM10 level rises, the lung function status gets worse among the study school going children living near the quarry.Pm10 significantly influenced the lung function of these children.