Aerosol particle and organic vapor concentrations at industrial work sites in Malaysia

R. Warwick Armstrong, Mark J. Rood, Sham Sani, Maketab Mohamed, M. Rashid, Ahmad Tajudin Jab, Sheldon Landsberger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish baseline data about air pollutants potentially related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the Federal Territory and Selangor, Malaysia. During 1991-1993, ambient air quality was monitored at 42 work sites representing ten industrial sectors: adhesive manufacturing, foundries, latex processing, metalworking, plywood/veneer milling, ricemilling, rubber tire manufacturing, sawmilling, shoemaking, and textile related industries. At each work site, aerosol particle size distributions and concentrations of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, isopropyl alcohol, and furfural were measured. Mean aerosol particle concentrations ranged from 61 micrograms/m3 in foundries to 5,578 micrograms/m3 in ricemills, with five industries (adhesives, metalworking, ricemilling, sawmilling, and shoemaking) exceeding the US EPA 24-hr ambient air standard for PM-10. Formaldehyde concentrations exceeded the threshold limit value (TLV) in adhesives factories. Other vapours and elements measured were well below TLVs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-29
Number of pages6
JournalAsia-Pacific journal of public health / Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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