Stress is a major health issue in this century especially related to occupation. Malaysia receives numerous of migrant workers each year who may encounter health issue which related to high stress level. This study was aimed to correlate stress levels of migrant workers to their blood pressure (BP), their stress prevalence and the occupational factors associated with their stress levels. Respondents were from Subang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. Questionnaires were given and BP reading was taken. Overall, the respondents comprised of 113 Indonesians, 68 Nepalese, and 38 Bangladeshis. Although the migrant workers live in stressful work environment, their health conditions are not compromised. This was reflected by their BP readings. Most of the migrant workers are male, married with secondary education. A total of 85.4% of the migrant workers had higher than average perceived stress levels, with >50% very high perceived stress levels. Occupational factors related to stress among migrant workers are large amount of work, insufficient time to complete work, no feedback allowed on workplace policy, differences of opinion in department, departmental personnel cannot get along with others, poor working environment. The majority of migrant workers in the Klang Valley work as domestic helpers, and staff in service and manufacturing sectors. Occupation-related problems are prominent stress factor. Although the stress levels were high, this did not apparently impact their health.
We identified marine fish species most preferred by women at reproductive age in Selangor, Malaysia, mercury concentrations in the fish muscles, factors predicting mercury accumulation and the potential health risk. Nineteen most preferred marine fish species were purchased (n = 175) from selected fisherman's and wholesale market. Length, weight, habitat, feeding habit and trophic level were recognised. Edible muscles were filleted, dried at 80 °C, ground on an agate mortar and digested in Multiwave 3000 using HNO3 and H2O2. Total mercury was quantified using VP90 cold vapour system with N2 carrier gas. Certified reference material DORM-4 was used to validate the results. Fish species were classified as demersal (7) and pelagic (12) or predators (11), zoo benthos (6) and planktivorous (2). Length, weight and trophic level ranged from 10.5 to 75.0 cm, 0.01 to 2.50 kg and 2.5 to 4.5, respectively. Geometric mean of total mercury ranged from 0.21 to 0.50 mg/kg; maximum in golden snapper (0.90 mg/kg). Only 9 % of the samples exceeded the JECFA recommendation. Multiple linear regression found demersal, high trophic (≥4.0) and heavier fishes to accumulate more mercury in muscles (R (2) = 27.3 %), controlling for all other factors. About 47 % of the fish samples contributed to mercury intake above the provisional tolerable level (45 μg/day). While only a small portion exceeded the JECFA fish Hg guideline, the concentration reported may be alarming for heavy consumers. Attention should be given in risk management to avoid demersal and high trophic fish, predominantly heavier ones.