Citation
Fadzir, Nurul Anis Sofiah and Jalaludin, Juliana
(2013)
Indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and lung function among children living near busy road in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Health and the Environment Journal, 4 (2).
pp. 1-19.
ISSN 180-1126
Abstract
A huge amount of cars in the city, mostly heavy traffic jam
during rush hours may cause air pollution. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that exposure to
PM2.5 decreases the lung function among children living near busy road.The aim of this study was to determine the exposure of indoor PM2.5 and lung function among children living near busy road, and comparative group of children
living near less busy road in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. Purposive sampling method was used where the samples selected were those who fulfilled the inclusive criteria for each location studied. Personal and socio-demography background, and other related information were adopted
from standardized and structured questionnaire of American Thoracic Society. Air sampling pumps based on gravimetric principle were used to measure indoor PM2.5 in the respondents’ house. Lung function was measured using Chest Graph Spirometry. There was a significant difference of indoor PM2.5, lung function abnormality and respiratory
symptoms between exposed and comparative group with the value of(t=-2.496, p=0.014);(χ2=17.926, p=0.000) and (χ2
=7.259, p=0.007) for predicted FEV% and FVC%; and(p=0.000) respectively; however overall lung function status was weakly associated with indoor PM2.5. Children living near busy road have significantly higher indoor PM2.5 concentration than less busy road which makes them at
higher risk of respiratory illnesses. However, the specific
airborne toxicants that facilitate and promote respiratory effects are still not clearly known. Since population characteristics are specific, the results of this study
cannot be generalized.
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