No abstract

This study was carried out to determine the level of exposure to PM10 and NO2 and its relation to respiratory health among primary school children living near petrochemical industry area at Kertih, Terengganu. This cross sectional comparative study was conducted among 60 children from studied group and 60 children from comparative group. The respondents were selected based on inclusive criteria's for this study. Level of exposure of PM10 was measured using DustTrak Aerosol Monitor while level of exposure of NO2 was measured using LaMotte Air Sampling Pump. Questionnaire was used to collect information on respondent's socio-demography background and respiratory symptoms. Lung function test was performed using Spirometer. Results showed that the mean concentration of PM10 (79 μg/m3) and NO2 (3.73 ppm) for studied group was higher compared to comparative group, PM10 (49 μg/m3) and NO2 (0.14 ppm). As overall, reported respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among studied group compare to comparative group. Significant reduction value of FEV1/FVC% showed that there was airways obstruction for studied group. Findings from this study indicated that exposure to indoor PM10 and NO2 concentrations may increase risk of getting respiratory symptoms and reduction of lung function among primary school children living near petrochemical industry area.

Motorcycle is getting significant attention as it is already and will be an important mode of transport in the future. However, motorcycle is a hazardous type of vehicle mode and therefore requires more efforts to enhance their safety and comfort level. As compared to car drivers, motorcyclists are more exposed to sitting hazards during the riding process. Due to increased exposures to seated postures, sitting comfort has become an important issue that demands adequate ergonomic interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of new model of motorcycle seat with lumbar support aimed at reducing muscle discomfort among male motorcyclists. This study was conducted among male motorcyclists at University Putra Malaysia (UPM). 94 subjects were participated, with 47 subjects for each control and experimental group. Each subject was asked to sit for 2 hours on motorcycle in two different sessions. At every 15 minutes interval, subjects were required to evaluate their discomfort level on Borg’s scale CR-10 questionnaire. Results in this study found that lumbar support (prototype) shows a significant effect towards certain body parts particularly on the neck, shoulder, upper back, arms and also lower back. However, there were no significant effect were found on the buttock, thigh, knee, calf and ankles. In conclusion, this new model of motorcycle seat with lumbar support can help to reduce discomfort level towards motorcyclists especially during prolonged riding process.

Introduction: Motorcycles had grown to be one of the most common ways of mobility among Malaysians. However, motorcyclist struggles with discomfort of their arm during prolonged riding as arm support feature is usually absent in common motorcycles.  Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate the effect of implementing armrest prototype in terms of discomfort level among motorcyclist during prolonged riding process. Method: A total number of 102 respondents were seated on a motorcycle in two distinct sessions; a session on a motorcycle with armrest and the other session on a motorcycle without armrest. Each respondent was required to attend two separate experimental sessions. Each session had lasted for 2 hours. During the 2-hour session, a riding simulator system was displayed, and respondents were asked to control the handlebar of motorcycle as in real road. Respondents were required to rate their level of discomfort for each body part on the Borg’s CR-10 scale in every 15 minutes. Results: During the testing period, the experimental group’s discomfort rating was lower than that of the control group.