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Source identification of particulate matter in a semi-urban area of Malaysia using multivariate techniques

Wahid NB, Latif MT, Suan LS, Dominick D, Sahani M, Jaafar SA, et al.

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 2014 Mar;92(3):317-22.
PMID: 24435135 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-014-1201-1

This study aims to determine the composition and sources of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10) in a semi-urban area. PM10 samples were collected using a high volume sampler. Heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cd and Ni) and cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while anions (SO4 (2-), NO3 (-), Cl(-) and F(-)) were analysed using Ion Chromatography. Principle component analysis and multiple linear regressions were used to identify the source apportionment of PM10. Results showed the average concentration of PM10 was 29.5 ± 5.1 μg/m(3). The heavy metals found were dominated by Fe, followed by Zn, Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd and Ni. Na(+) was the dominant cation, followed by Ca(2+), K(+) and Mg(2+), whereas SO4 (2-) was the dominant anion, followed by NO3 (-), Cl(-) and F(-). The main sources of PM10 were the Earth's crust/road dust, followed by vehicle emissions, industrial emissions/road activity, and construction/biomass burning.
Monsoonal variations in atmospheric surfactants at different coastal areas of the Malaysian Peninsula

Jaafar SA, Latif MT, Razak IS, Shaharudin MZ, Khan MF, Wahid NBA, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2016 Aug 15;109(1):480-489.
PMID: 27230987 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.05.017

This study determined the effect of monsoonal changes on the composition of atmospheric surfactants in coastal areas. The composition of anions (SO4(2-), NO3(-), Cl(-), F(-)) and the major elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na) in aerosols were used to determine the possible sources of surfactants. Surfactant compositions were determined using a colorimetric method as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The anion and major element compositions of the aerosol samples were determined by ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), respectively. The results indicated that the concentrations of surfactant in aerosols were dominated by MBAS (34-326pmolm(-3)). Monsoonal changes were found to significantly affect the concentration of surfactants. Using principal component analysis-multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), major possible sources for surfactants in the aerosols were motor vehicle emissions, secondary aerosol and the combustion of biomass along with marine aerosol.
Surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater around lake ecosystem

Razak IS, Latif MT, Jaafar SA, Khan MF, Mushrifah I

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2015 Apr;22(8):6024-33.
PMID: 25382497 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3781-z

This study was conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater in the vicinity of Lake Chini, Malaysia. Samples of atmospheric aerosol and rainwater were collected between March and September 2011 using a high volume air sampler (HVAS) and glass bottles equipped with funnel. Colorimetric analysis was undertaken to determine the concentration of anionic surfactants as methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and cationic surfactants as disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). The water-soluble ionic compositions were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for cations (Na, K, Mg and Ca) and ion chromatography equipped with a conductivity detector for anions (F(-), Cl(-), NO3(-), and SO4(2-)) and the Nessler Method was used to obtain the NH4(+) concentrations. The source apportionment of MBAS and DBAS in atmospheric aerosols was identified using a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression (MLR). The results revealed that the concentrations of surfactants in atmospheric aerosols and rainwater were dominated by anionic surfactants as MBAS. The concentration of surfactants as MBAS and DBAS was dominated in fine mode compared to coarse mode aerosols. Using PCA/MLR analysis, two major sources of atmospheric surfactants to Lake Chini were identified as soil dust (75 to 93%) and biomass burning (2 to 22%).
Awareness of pelvic organ prolapse and attitude towards its treatment among Malaysian women

Abdullah B, Idris S, Md Jaafar SA, Ghazali NLA, Mat Liki NS, Aminuddin AA

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Nov;78(6):768-773.
PMID: 38031219

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to determine the level of awareness of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and factors that influence the attitude towards the treatment of POP among Malaysian women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 400 women from registered non-government organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia who voluntarily answered questionnaires distributed through Google form via emails. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test.
RESULTS: Four hundred respondents participated in this study. The mean age was 40.42 years old (SD=12.566). The mean score for the studied population was 4.96 (SEM 0.124). Only 58 (14.5%) respondents obtained a score of eight or more, and 235 (58.8%) respondents scored between 4 and 7. The rest of 107 (26.7%) respondents scored 3 and less. There were statistically significant differences in the mean score for level of awareness between marital statuses, menopausal status, number of children and occupation. There were only 273 (68%) respondents who will seek treatment if they experience symptoms of POP. The most frequent reasons for not seeking treatment were unawareness of the availability of medical treatment for POP (69 %).
CONCLUSION: Majority of the respondents have an inadequate level of awareness on POP. Although more than half of the respondents will seek treatment if they experience symptoms of POP, concerns raised by those who chose not to seek treatment should be addressed by a more effective public awareness programme. This includes the unawareness of the availability of medical treatment and the embarrassment to see medical practitioners.
Surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia

Jaafar SA, Latif MT, Chian CW, Han WS, Wahid NB, Razak IS, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2014 Jul 15;84(1-2):35-43.
PMID: 24930738 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.047

This study was conducted to determine the composition of surfactants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML) and atmospheric aerosol around the southern region of the Peninsular Malaysia. Surfactants in samples taken from the SML and atmospheric aerosol were determined using a colorimetric method, as either methylene blue active substances (MBAS) or disulphine blue active substances (DBAS). Principal component analysis with multiple linear regressions (PCA-MLR), using the anion and major element composition of the aerosol samples, was used to determine possible sources of surfactants in atmospheric aerosol. The results showed that the concentrations of surfactants in the SML and atmospheric aerosol were dominated by anionic surfactants and that surfactants in aerosol were not directly correlated (p>0.05) with surfactants in the SML. Further PCA-MLR from anion and major element concentrations showed that combustion of fossil fuel and sea spray were the major contributors to surfactants in aerosol in the study area.
Fulltext A comprehensive health effects assessment of the use of sanitizers and disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey

Hashemi F, Hoepner L, Hamidinejad FS, Haluza D, Afrashteh S, Abbasi A, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Jun;30(28):72368-72388.
PMID: 37166731 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27197-6

COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91,056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on the use of sanitizers and disinfectants and health was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was translated into 26 languages via web-based platforms. The findings of this study suggest that detergents, alcohol-based substances, and chlorinated compounds emerged as the most prevalent chemical agents compared to other sanitizers and disinfectants examined. Most frequently reported health issues include skin effects and respiratory effects. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds (sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine) with all possible health effects under investigation (p-value <0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that alcohols and alcohols-based materials were associated with skin effects (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87-2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye effects (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74-1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90-2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological effects (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92-2.44). The use of sodium hypochlorite and per-chlorine also had a high chance of having respiratory effects. The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics especially when they are used or overused.