No abstract

Exposure to types of asbestos such as chrysotile and crocidolite increases respiratory disease risks such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Nevertheless, asbestos products banning in Malaysia is only limited to crocidolite as per stated in OSHA (Prohibition of Use of Substance) Order 1999, though other types are highly suspected to be found in asbestos-containing materials (ACM) like brake pads and linings. This study ascertains the presence of asbestos fibres, particularly chrysotile, in brake pads and linings used in Malaysia's vehicle and heavy vehicle sector. Seven different brake pads; three from vehicle brands, and four from heavy vehicle brands were collected by bulk sampling approaches from the market and field. Dust fibres were extracted using slow grinding method and analysed under Polarized Light Microscope (PLM). The fibre characteristics such as colour, morphology, pleochroism, extinction, and dispersion staining technique were examined, referring the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 9002. Additionally, the observed samples also were verified by an accredited lab to support the authenticity of the outcome. From the analysis and lab results, chrysotile fibres were consistently detected in all brake pad samples, fulfilling the fibre characteristics and positive elongation signs.

Refurbishments of the ship’s external and internal structures are the main scopes of a refit program. These activities may affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) inside ships and increase the indoor air pollutants (IAP) concentrations onboard. Therefore, continuous IAQ monitoring is needed to determine IAP exposure to the ship’s crew. This study evaluates the changes in IAQ conditions inside a naval ship over a two-time interval to determine the effect of compliance with the recommended engineering control measures proposed in the first assessment. Following the standard of the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (ICOP on IAQ 2010), seven IAQ parameters (temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), respirable particulates/particulate matter (PM10), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), bacterial count, and fungal count) were measured in two assessment phases. The first phase was conducted after the ship completed the refit program, and the second phase began three months later, following the execution of the recommended engineering control measures. According to the findings of this study, all IAQ parameters improved when compared to the first phase assessment. However, some of the readings were still non-compliance with the standards of ICOP on IAQ 2010. In conclusion, the ship’s IAQ parameters were improved following the recommended engineering control measures, although more enhanced approaches were required to ensure all parameters complied with the ICOP on IAQ 2010.

This study aims to identify the population of the airborne bacteria in a hospital and its antibiotic resistant. The airborne bacteria were collected using SKC Biostage Single Stage at three locations in a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Temperature, relative humidity and air velocity of the sampling locations were determined using TSI VelociCalc. The screening of antibiotic resistance was conducted using disk diffusion of Kirby-Bauer method. The results show Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, α and ȣ-Streptococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Clostridium spp. are the group of bacteria found at the sampling locations. The antibiotic resistance screening shows a wide percentage of resistance among the identified bacteria, with ampicillin as the highest percentage for the bacterial resistance.Peer-review under the responsibility of the organizing committee of the ICMB21.