Abstract
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) are currently increasing due to the increment of vehicle numbers in Malaysia. The emission of pollutants from these vehicles have genotoxic properties that can potentially induce genetic damage in human. In this study, micronuclei assay is used to determine the potential genotoxic exposure by assessing the presence of micronuclei frequency (MN) in buccal cells. The specific objective of this study is to determine the association between TRAPs and frequency of MN among school children in Klang Valley. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among primary school children (9�11 years old) in high-density traffic area (n = 94, Kuala Lumpur) and low-density traffic area (n = 94, Hulu Langat). A questionnaire was distributed to the parents to obtain respiratory symptoms information. Buccal cells were analyzed to determine the frequency of micronuclei. Air quality assessment was carried out in a total of 6 schools (consisted of exposed and comparative groups) by using TSI DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8534 for measurement of PM2.5 and PM10, LaMotte�s Model BD Air Sampling Pump for measurement of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Sulphur dioxide (SO2), ppbRAE 3000 for total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and TSI Q-TRAK 7565 for measurement of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, TVOC and CO at exposed schools were significantly higher (p < 0.005). compared to those in comparative schools. All pollutants were significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory symptom phlegm and MN frequency. Additionally, the MN frequency in the exposed group was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the comparative group. All in all, this study demonstrated that air pollutants, especially NO2 and CO, have significantly influenced the MN frequency among children in primary schools. This study suggested that exposure to TRAPs among Malaysian school children has increased the risk for respiratory complications with the formation of MN. © The Author(s).
Highlights
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) exposure is a public health concern as it causes many diseases each year in Malaysia (Ismail et al, 2019)
The present study suggested that concentration of TRAPs especially PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and Carbon monoxide (CO) were significantly higher (p < 0.005) at schools in highdensity traffic area compared to schools in low-density traffic area
This study concluded that TRAPs exposure was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with respiratory symptom phlegm and micronuclei frequency (MN) frequency
Summary
Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) exposure is a public health concern as it causes many diseases each year in Malaysia (Ismail et al, 2019). Hisamuddin et al, Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 20: 2614–2623, 2020 trace gases at an urban city of Kuala Lumpur They have observed a positive correlation between PM10 level and the number of motor vehicles, as well as activities of biomass burning, from Sumatra, Indonesia, happened during the southwest monsoon. The main sources of the trace gas emissions were from motor vehicles, manufacturing industries, and densely populated cities (Dominick et al, 2012). In urban areas such as the Klang Valley region, the concentrations of CO, NO2, and SO2 gases were mainly influenced by the heavy road traffic (Azmi et al, 2010; Abdullah et al, 2012). The concentration of secondary gas such as ozone (O3) was mainly related to local and regional factors such as the presence of NOx and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as O3 precursors, and their reactions with ultraviolet radiation from sunlight (Azmi et al, 2010)
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