EXPOSURE TO RESPIRABLE DUST (PM10) AND RESPIRATORY HEALTH AMONG TRAFFIC POLICEMEN IN SELANGOR

Nor Syafarizwa M., Juliana J., Sharmadevan S. Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Study is designed to determine the personal exposure levels of PM10 and its effects on the respiratory health of traffic policemen. The cross sectional study involved 60 traffic policemen and 57 general duty policemen and only those who have at least three years working experience was included. The personal exposure levels of traffic policemen were determined to be significantly higher compared to general duty policemen (comparative group). In short, significant increase in the respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen could lead to higher risk of respiratory illness.

According to Sharat, G. et al., (2011) study among traffic policemen, the motor vehicle-generated air pollutants, diesel exhaust particles account for a highly significant percentage of the particles emitted in many towns and cities. Acute effects of motor vehicle exhaust exposure include irritation of eyes and nose, lung function changed and nausea. Chronic exposure is associated with cough, sputum production, and lung function decrements. The particles emitted from the vehicular exhaust of more than 10-micron size are held in upper respiratory tract and particles less than 10 micron size (PM10) accumulates in the lung and produced respiratory abnormalities. They are from motor vehicle exhaust, heat and power generation, industrial processes and open burning activities. Exposure to air pollutants is known to be harmful to health, in general, and to the lungs, in particular. In this respect, traffic policemen are at a risk, since they are continuously exposed to emissions from vehicles, due to the nature of their job. Exposure to respirable dust have shown a significant health effects on respiratory systems and decreased in lung function among traffic policemen. Therefore, air quality at the road sides need to be tested to identify any respiratory problems due to over exposure to respirable dust among traffic policemen which spend most of the time at the roads.

To compare the personal exposure levels to respirable particles (PM10) among traffic policemen and the comparative group To compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among traffic policemen and the comparative group

To compare lung function [FVC, FEV1, FVC% predicted and FEV% predicted] among traffic policemen and the comparative group.

To identify factors influencing lung function after controlling the confounders.

Duration of Study:
February-April 2013
Exposed Group

Cross Sectional comparative study

Comparative Group

Location: Traffic Police Headquaters Putrajaya. N = 57

N = 60

Lung Function abnormalities:

Random Sampling method

FVC, FEV1 &

Air sampling duration:

Inclusive Criteria:

FVC/FEV1

Male (Aged 23 to 55) Without chronic medical history Malay ethnic

8 Hours

Questionnaire

Gravimetric Air Sampling Techniques were also used.

Personal Air Sampling Pump

Respirable dust PM10

Spirometric Testing

z value = -9.343 p value= <0.001

Median IQR: 208.33 49.02

Median IQR: 49.02 49.01

Personal exposure to respirable particles concentrations had a significant difference between two study groups with median of (208.33 49.02g/m3) in exposed group compared to comparative group (49.02 49.01 g/m3).

Table 1: Comparison of respiratory symptoms among respondents

Variables

Study Group Frequency (%) Comparative Group (n=57) 7(12) 50 (88) 2

Exposed Group (n=60)

p value

Study Groups Median IQR Variables

Table 2: Comparison of lung function among respondents

Z valu e p value

Cough Yes No Phlegm Yes No Chest Tightness 2.911 Yes No Wheezing Yes No 10 (17) 50 (83) 5 (9) 52 (91) 0.088 22 (37) 38 (63) 8 (14) 49 (86) 8.711 0.003* 19 (32) 41 (68) 3.683 0.055

Exposed Group (n=60)

Comparative Group (n=60) 4.46 0.38 4.24 0.22 78.20 9.19

FVC (liter) FEV1 (liter) FVC% predicted

4.21 0.39 3.88 0.59 73.65 8.42

FEV1% predicted
FEV1/FVC % predicted

76.67 19.93

78.71 6.63

5.754 5.484 3.716 2.593 1.658

<0.001* <0.001* <0.001*

0.002*

5 (8) 55 (92)

6 (11) 51(89)

1.365

0.243

98.91 4.05

97.31 4.64

0.097

Study Groups Frequencies (%)

Variables

Status

Exposed Group (n=60) 29(48) 31(52) 50(83) 10(17) 60(100)

Comparative Group (n=57) 17(30) 40(70) 34(60) 23(40) 57(100)

x2 4.197

p value 0.040*

O.R (95% CI) 2.20 (1.03-4.71) 3.38 (1.43-8.00)

FVC% predicted FEV1% predicted FEV1/FVC% predicted

Abnormal Normal Abnormal Normal Abnormal Normal

Findings revealed that there was a significant difference in FVC% predicted and FEV1% predicted between study groups. All the parameters in lung function shows significantly higher in comparative group and significantly lower in exposed group except for FEV1/FVC % predicted.

8.097 -

0.004* -

Table 3: Comparison of Lung Function abnormalities among respondents

Table 4: Factors influencing the abnormality FVC% predicted in two study groups after control all the confounders Independent variables
Respirable Particle (PM10) concentration (g/m3)

- 0.800

S.E 0.391

p value 0.041*

OR (95% CI) 2.23 (1.03 - 4.79)

Table 5: Factors influencing the abnormality FEV1% predicted in two study groups after control all the confounders Independent variables
Respirable Particle (PM10) concentration (g/m3)

- 1.223

S.E 0.440

p value 0.005*

OR (95% CI) 0.29 (0.12 - 0.70)

 In summary, traffic policemen were determined to have lowered lung function due to the working environment in which the areas more polluted and might have risk of having respiratory problems . The effect of pollution by vehicular exhausts might be responsible for pulmonary function impairments. There was a significant difference between the personal exposure to respirable particles (PM10 ) and lung function among total respondents. Traffic policemen that exposed to higher concentration levels of PM10 have shown a significant reduction in FVC and FEV1 compared to the comparative group. Working as a traffic policemen might have the potential to expose to respirable particles (PM10) which indicated by an increasing in number of reported respiratory problem among traffic policemen.

Occupational as traffic policemen is considered as susceptible groups who exposed to various types of air pollutant while on duty. Recommendations that can be useful to management and traffic policemen: Change in terms of their job schedule thus they can have their job rotation with the other colleague to the less polluted areas. Education program and training on how importance to prevent respiratory health problems. Periodically health screening in order to have early detection.

Suggestion usage of personal protective equipment such as nose mask