Cr0ss»sectional studies on lung functions of 100 smokers and 100 non-smokers was conducted among a university student population. The objectives of the studies were to determine the correlation between the lung functions with smoking frequency and duration among smokers as well as to compare the lung functions with non-smokers. The smokers’ mean age was 20.74 years, their smoking initiation age was 16.18 years, the smoking duration was 4.41 years and the smoking frequency was 8.72 cigarettes per day. Among smokers, signqicant inverse correlation was shown between FEV] predicted and the smoking frequency (number of cigarette per day) (ri-0.241, p=0.016). Multiple regression confirmed the relationship between FEV]% predicted with respondent’s age (p=0.013) and smoking frequency (p=0.002), FVC% predicted with age (p=0.005) and smoking frequency (p=0.009). The FEV;/FVC% predicted was signyicantly related to phlegm symptoms (p=0.03), while the FEFZ5.y5% predicted was signdicantly related to age (p=0.005), height (p=0.043) and smoking duration (p=0.046). The lung functions (FEV1% predicted, FVC% predicted and FEV]/FVC% predicted ) for smokers were not statistically dyferent from non-smokers. This study showed that the lung functions for the smokers were still quite normal due to their short smoking duration, their low number of cigarette smoked per day and their young age.
A study on 30 asthmatic children was conducted in Kuala Lumpur. The objective of this study was to study the relationship between respirable particulate (PM10), sulphur dioxide, ozone and various meteorological factors such as humidity, level ofrainfall and temperature with asthma attacks. This study was conducted from 1st September to 31 December 1994. Patients were selected from the Paediatric Unit, Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Questionnaires were used to obtain information from their parents on the history and severity ofasthmatic attacks ofthese patients. Questionnaires were also used to determine if the indoor sources contributed to the attack. Diary cards were used to collect information on the frequency of asthmatic attacks. Each patient's progress was followed through every week during the study period and the attacks were recorded. The data on air quality on the PM10, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone were collected hourly using the microcomputer system of air monitoring unit from the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia air quality monitoring station located at the City Hall, Kuala Lumpur. The meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and rain-fall levels were also monitored daily. The asthmatic attack percentage was obtained by dividing the number of attacks in a day with the total number of sample and multiplying by a hundred. Statistical tests indicated that there was a significant correlation between asthmatic attacks and the PM10 concentrations (r=0.73), nitrogen dioxide (r=0.57) and.carbon monoxide (r=0.53) throughout the study period. During the haze episode, more significant correlations between asthmatic attacks, PM10 concentra-tions (0.86), carbon monoxide (0.79) and nitrogen oxide (0.53) were found. Multiple regression statistical test showed that PM10 had the greatest influence on the asthmatic attack rate. The minute respirable particulate which entered the respiratory system of the asthmatics triggered attacks on these patients.