Environmental Health

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 96

Open Access
A Contribution to Trees and Shrubs Checklist in Kuala Keniam at Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia
(IOP Publishing, 2022) Ahmad Fitri Z; Nik Hazlan N H; M Kusin; Faezah P; Asmida I; S N Sarmin; Engku Azlin Rahayu Engku Ariff; T T M Z Hashim; Syarifah Haniera S K; S A K Yamani; Nazip S; Nik Norafida N A; Nizam M S; Latiff A
The forested area around Kuala Keniam is a part of Taman Negara (Pahang) and is categorized as a primary lowland dipterocarp, riparian fringe and limestone forests. A study of flora that focuses on the trees and shrubs was conducted during the scientific expedition in September 2020, organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The results identified as many as 187 taxa of trees and shrubs consisting of 124 genera and 49 plant families from the lowland dipterocarp forest. A total of nine endemic taxa to Peninsular Malaysia were also recorded namely Aporosa globifera, Baccaurea pyriformis, Cinnamomum mollissimum, Enicosanthum fuscum, Lithocarpus curtisii, Mallotus griffithianus, M. penangensis, Ryparosa fasciculata and Schoutenia kunstleri. Another three taxa viz. Elaeocarpus obtusatus ssp. apiculatus, Popowia tomentosa and Sterculia rubiginosa var. setistipula were considered as the new additional record for Pahang state. It is hoped that the information from this study can be used as references to help other researchers as well as stakeholders in ecotourism management and forest conservation plan.
Open Access
A Review of Plastic-derived Diesel Fuel as a Renewable Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines: Applications, Challenges, and Global Potential
(IOP Publishing, 2022) Wan Nurdiyana Wan Mansor1; Nurul Ashraf Razali; Samsuri Abdullah; Mohammad Nor Khasbi Jarkoni; Anis Busrya Eddy Sharin; Nurul Huda Abd Kadir; Aima Ramli; How-Ran Chao; Sheng-Lun Lin; Juliana Jalaludin
One possible technique to address landfill issues is to convert plastic waste into diesel fuel. In this review, the potential use of plastic-derived diesel fuel in internal combustion engines as a renewable and sustainable energy source is discussed.
Open Access
A study on construction waste management of a refurbishment project in Kuala Lumpur
(Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 2006) Lee Yee Yie; Noor Zalina Mahmood
Construction waste management is an important environmental issue. The huge volume and various compositions of construction waste have made its disposal a serious problem because it leads to environmental impacts such as landfill space and resource depletion. Greater concerns must be given to construction waste generation and management to reduce its burden to the environment. A refurbishment project site situated in Kuala Lumpur was selected for the study by regular site visits and initial environmental review (IER) was conducted to gather information on site activities and waste management practice. Environmental aspects and impacts caused by construction waste management were identified and their significance was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Four on-site sorting schemes were proposed and their practicality was discussed.
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Active pharmaceutical ingredients in Malaysian drinking water: consumption, exposure, and human health risk
(Springer, 2020) Sze Yee Wee; Didi Erwandi Mohamad Haron; Ahmad Zaharin Aris; Fatimah Md. Yusoff; Sarva Mangala Praveena
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are typical endocrine disruptors found in common pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which are frequently detected in aquatic environments, especially surface water treated for drinking. However, current treatment technologies are inefficient for removing emerging endocrine disruptors, leading to the potential contamination of tap water. This study employed an optimized analytical method comprising solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (SPE–LC–MS/MS) to detect APIs in tap water in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
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Adaptation towards climate change impacts among highland farmers in Malaysia
(Springer, 2020) Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril; Khairuddin Idris; Hamizah Sahharon; Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah; Bahaman Abu Samah
This study aims to gain more understanding on highland farmers’ adaptation towards the impacts of climate change in Malaysia. Via a multi-stage cluster sampling, this quantitative study has surveyed a total of 400 highland farmers as respondents.
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Adoption of TiO2-photocatalysis for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) and its practicality against traditional treatment in Malaysia
(Elsevier, 2021) Kim Hoong Ng
The technical feasibility of TiO2-photocatalysis towards palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment is well-proven in previous studies. As a continuity, current study evaluated the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) in a concise manner, subsequently discussed its practicality in palm oil industry of Malaysia. Indeed, TiO2-photocatalysis displays a promising technical feasibility in treating POME, but its wide application is economically-suppressed.
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Adsorptive removal of malachite green dye using durian seed-based activated carbon
(Springer, 2014) Mohd Azmier Ahmad; Norhidayah Ahmad; Olugbenga Solomon Bello
Chemically prepared activated carbon derived from durian seed (DSAC) was used as adsorbent to adsorb Malachite green (MG) dye. The prepared DSAC was characterized using Brunauer-Emmet-Teller(BET), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and proximate analysis,respectively. Batch adsorption studies were carried out for the removal of MG dye from aqueous solutions by varying operational parameters like contact time, initial MG dye concentration, solution temperature, and initial solution pH. Maximum dye removal of 97 % was obtained at pH 8. This work provided an attractive adsorbent for the removal of MG dye from wastewaters.
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Air pollution and cardiorespiratory hospitalization, predictive modeling, and analysis using artificial intelligence techniques
(Springer, 2021) Raja Sher Afgun Usmani; Thulasyammal Ramiah Pillai; Ibrahim Abaker Targio Hashem; Mohsen Marjani; Rafiza Shaharudin; Mohd Talib Latif
This study aims to investigate the association between cardiorespiratory hospitalization and air pollution, and predict cardiorespiratory hospitalization based on air pollution using the artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.
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Air pollution and its health impacts in Malaysia: a review
(Springer, 2020) Raja Sher Afgun Usmani; Anum Saeed; kibu Mahmoud Abdullahi Thulasyammal Ramiah Pillai; Noor Zaman Jhanjhi; Ibrahim Abaker Targio Hashem
Air pollution is strongly tied to climate change. Industrialization and fossil fuel combustion are the main contributors leading to climate change, also being significant sources of air pollution. Malaysia is a developing country with a focus on industrialization. The preference of using private cars is a common practice in Malaysia, resulting in the after-effects of haze and transboundary air pollution. Hence, air pollution has become a severe issue in Malaysia in recent times. Exposure to air pollutants such as ozone and airborne particles is associated with increases in hospital admissions and mortality. For the past few years, the focus of the research is moving towards air quality and the impacts of air pollution on health in Malaysia. In this study, we establish the definition of air pollution, the motivation to study it, and its impacts and sources of air pollution and climate change.
Open Access
Air pollution, cardiovascular and respiratory admissions in Klang Valley, Malaysia-Finding the Effects
(Technoscience Publications, 2022) W. M. W. Rozita; S. Zamtira; FI. Mohd; T. L. Mohd; I. A. Nurul; I. A. W. Muhammad; S. Mazrura
This study aims to determine the association and risk of daily fluctuations of air pollution parameters in Klang Valley, Malaysia, with cardiovascular and respiratory admissions. The data on admissions and air pollution concentrations were obtained from various government agencies in Malaysia. The associations were estimated using a time series analysis of Poisson regression. The effects for every 10µ/m3 increase in pollutants were reported as Relative Risk (RR).
Open Access
Air Quality-related human health in an urban region. Case study: State of Selangor, Malaysia
(Thai Society of Higher Eduation Institutes on Environment, 2018) Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi; Oliver Ling Hoon Leh1; Siti Nur Afiqah Mohamed Musthafa; Kadaruddin Aiyub
The urban region with high traffic volume and high density developments contributed to the decreasing of air quality. Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health and exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with a series of adverse health effects including respiratory system. Previous scholars found a significant link between respiratory disease and air pollution. However, due to the limited study in the regional context, this study is needed to find the relationship between air quality and human health in the regional context, especially in Malaysia.
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Airborne particles in the city center of Kuala Lumpur: Origin, potential driving factors, and deposition flux in human respiratory airways
(Elsevier, 2019) Md Firoz Khan; Ahmad Hazuwan Hamid; Md Aynul Bari; Abdul Basit Ahmad Tajudin; Mohd Talib Latif; Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir; Mazrura Sahani; Muhammad Ikram A. Wahab; Yusri Yusup; Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud; Mohd Famey Yusoff; Nowshad Amin; Md Akhtaruzzaman; Warren Kindzierski; Prashant Kumar
Equatorial warming conditions in urban areas can influence the particle number concentrations (PNCs), but studies assessing such factors are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of size-resolved PNCs, their potential deposition rate in the human respiratory system, and probable local and transboundary inputs of PNCs in Kuala Lumpur.
Open Access
Analysis of Suspended Atmospheric Microplastics Size at Different Elevation in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
(IOP Publishing, 2023) M Afiq Daniel Azmi; N L N M Yasin; J NorRuwaida; A H Hasnatul; M Dewika; Y Y Sara
The primary objective of this research is to analyze the size of the suspended atmospheric microplastics at different elevation which is ground level (H1) at1.5m and upper level (H2) at 10m.
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Annual Southeast Asia haze increases respiratory admissions: A 2-year large single institution experience
(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2018) Chew R. Ming; Andrea Ban Yu-Lin; Mohammad F. Abdul Hamid; Mohd T. Latiff; Nurashikin Mohammad; Tidi Hassan
The Southeast Asia haze is an annual problem and its worst could produce respirable particles of concentrations up to 500 0 μg/m3 which is five times the level considered as unhealthy. However, there are limited reports examining the direct clinical impact of the annual haze. This study examines the effects of the SEA haze on respiratory admissions.
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Assessment of chlorine leak dispersion around Gebeng industrial area and potential evacuation route
(Elsevier, 2019) Woon Phui Law; Norliyana Erain; Noram Irwan Ramli; Jolius Gimbun
This paper evaluates the effect of topographical and wind condition on the dispersion of chlorine leaks around Gebeng industrial area Malaysia using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The actual data on wind speed and direction was obtained from a local weather station. The turbulent flow was resolved using a scale-adaptive simulation (SAS) model, whereas the chlorine dispersion was modelled using the species transport equation and compared with the area location of hazardous atmosphere (ALOHA) model. The simulation was compared with the laser doppler anemometry (LDA) measurement on a scaled-down terrain model. A good agreement between the CFD prediction and LDA measurement was obtained.
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Assessment of coral health status using two-dimensional Coral Health Index (2D-CHI): A preliminary study in Pulau Perhentian Marine Park, Malaysia
(Elsevier, 2022) Che Din Mohd Safuan; Wan Izatul Asma Wan Talaat; Nazli Aziz; Hafeez Jeofry; Raveena Kim Lai; Husain Khyril-Syahrizan; Aminudin Muhammad Afiq-Firdaus; Ahmad Mohammad Faiz; Mohd Johari Nur Arbaeen; Wei Yien Lua; Xiong-Zhi Xuem Izarenah Md Repin; Zainudin Bachok
Identifying the key threats that influence coral reef ecosystems, one needs accurate information about coral health status to provide information for enhancing coral reef management. In this study, the health status of the coral reefs in the Pulau Perhentian Marine Park (PPMP) is characterized by using two ecological components, benthic (BI) and fish (FI) indexes, which were combined to form a two-dimensional Coral Health Index (2D-CHI). The BI was determined based on data collected using the Coral Video Transect (CVT) method, while the BI using the data collected using Underwater Visual Census (UVC).
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Assessment of health risks and individuals’ willingness to participate in drinking water management at flood-prone Pahang River Basin, Malaysia
(Springer, 2021) Lubna Alam; Labonnah Farzana Rahman; Minhaz Farid Ahmed; Md. Azizul Bari; Muhammad Mehedi Masud; Mazlin Bin Mokhtar
Rivers, the main source of the domestic water supply in Malaysia, have been threatened by frequent flooding in recent years. This study aims to assess human health risks associated with exposure to concentrated heavy metals in a flood-prone region of Malaysia and investigate the affected individuals’ willingness to participate in managing water resources.
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Assessment of heavy metals in tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Langat River and Engineering Lake in Bangi, Malaysia, and evaluation of the health risk from tilapia consumption
(Elsevier, 2013) Abdulali Taweel; M. Shuhaimi-Othman; A.K. Ahmad
Concentrations of the heavy metals copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) were determined in the liver, gills and muscles of tilapia fish from the Langat River and Engineering Lake, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. There were differences in the concentrations of the studied heavy metals between different organs and between sites. In the liver samples, Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb>Cd, and in the gills and muscle, Zn>Ni>Cu>Pb>Cd. Levels of Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb in the liver samples from Engineering Lake were higher than in those from the Langat River, whereas the Ni levels in the liver samples from the Langat River were greater than in those from Engineering Lake. Cd levels in the fish muscle from Engineering Lake were lower than in that from the Langat River. Meanwhile, the Cd, Zn and Pb levels in the fish muscle from the Langat River were lower than in that from Engineering Lake, and the Ni levels were almost the same in the fish muscle samples from the two sites. The health risks associated with Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb and Ni were assessed based on the target hazard quotients.
Open Access
Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Malaysian adults
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2020) Shew Fung Wong; Poh Sin Yap; Joon Wah Mak; Wan Ling Elaine Chan; Geok Lin Khor; Stephen Ambu; Wan Loy Chu; Maria Safura Mohamad; Norazizah Ibrahim Wong; Nur Liana Ab. Majid; Hamizatul Akmal Abd. Hamid; Wan Shakira Rodzlan Hasani; Muhammad Fadhli bin Mohd Yussoff; Hj. Tahir bin Aris; Ezahtulsyahreen Bt. Ab. Rahman; Zaleha Bt. M. Rashid
Diabetes data were derived from the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Surveys conducted in 2006, 2011 and 2015. The air pollution data (NOx, NO2, SO2, O3 and PM10) were obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia. Using multiple logistic and linear regression models, the association between long-term exposure to these pollutants and prevalence of diabetes among Malaysian adults was evaluated.
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Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Trends, drivers and impacts of coastal reclamation in Malaysia and way forward
(Elsevier, 2023) Su Yin Chee; Mou Leong Tan; Yi Lin Tew; Yee Kwang Sim; Jean Chai Yee; Amanda Kar Mun Chong
Cities all over the world are edging further into the ocean. Coastal reclamation is a global conservation issue with implications for ocean life, ecosystems, and human well-being. Using Malaysia as a case study, the coastal reclamation trends over three decades (1991-2021) were mapped using Landsat images and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) via the Google Earth Engine platform. The changes in drivers and impacts of these coastal expansions throughout the decades were also reviewed. Twelve out of the 14 states in Malaysia had planned, active, or completed reclamations on their shorelines. Between 1991 and 2021, an absolute area of 82.64 km2 has been or will be reclaimed should all the projects be completed. Efforts to protect existing natural coastal and marine ecosystems, restore degraded ones, and fund endeavours that emphasize nature is needed to support sustainable development goals for the benefit of future generations.