Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Putra Malaysia
MyJurnal

Abstract

Air pollutants that possessed genotoxic properties have the potential to induce genetic damage. Micronuclei (MN) frequency is used as an indicator for identifying potential genotoxic exposures. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among primary school children in a petrochemical industrial area (N=111, Kemaman) and a rural (N=65, Dungun) area in Terengganu. Methods: Validated questionnaires were distributed to obtain the respondents’ socio-demographic data, previous exposure and reported respiratory illness. The frequency of micronuclei was assessed in collected buccal mucosa samples of children. The air monitoring was also carried out at 6 selected schools. Results: Results from the statistical analysis carried out showed significant differences with p=0.001 for all parameters assessed between areas, which included ultrafine particles, UFP (z = -4.842), PM2.5 (z = -10.392), PM10 (z= -11.074) NO2 (z = -11.868), SO2 (z = -5.667), relative humidity (z = -5.587). The MN frequency was statistically significant with PM2.5 (χ2= 17.78, p=0.001) and PM10 (χ2= 15.429, p =0.001). The statistical analysis also showed a significant association between UFP and coughing (PR=2.965, 95% CI=1.069-8.225). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the main pollutants influencing MN frequencies were UFP and NO2 with UFP (PR=1.877, 95%CI= 1.174-3.002) and NO2 (PR=1.008, 95%CI= 1.001-1.015). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that exposure to air pollutants may increase the risk of respiratory illness and may induce MN formation among children.