A study of fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5 ) and the health effects among factory workers / Siti Zubaidah Abdul Wahid

Introduction: Sources of indoor air pollution that release gases or other particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Lack of ventilation system can cause the increasing indoor pollutant levels because there is no exchange process occurs between outdoor airs to dilute emission from indoor sources. Building material and furnishing, asbestos, wet and damp carpet, cabinetry or any formaldehyde made up from woods products, household cleaning product, personal care, central heating and cooling system, and humidification devices, and outdoor sources such as Radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution.
Methodology: The study was conducted in the factory which consists of 5 departments according to their functioning process. The location of the factory is at SKF Bearing (M) Sdn. Bhd, Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai. The study is a cross-sectional study. It was done by comparing the lung function performance and the health effect among less exposed group and exposed group with the exposure to the PM2.5. Human health risk assessment of each worker has been calculated by using Louvar F. Joseph and Louvar B. Diane (1995) method. Analytical and descriptive statistical analysis was determined using SPSS version 17.
Results: The study found that most of the workers exposed group get health effect due to the presence of high level concentration of PM2.5 (0.223mg/m3). From the analysis showed, the result for lung function performances for the exposed workers is below the normal average for the adults. Since the p value < 0.01, there are significant health effects such as irritated eyes, headache, chess tightness, irritated throat and coughing among these two groups. Inhalation rate for Human Health Risk assessment approximately 0.020 mg/kg-ᵈᵃʸ
Conclusion: In conclusion, from the findings of the study high reading of PM25 detected during the air sampling. From the analysis there were significant health effects with the PM2.5 exposure.