Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) in relation to respiratory symptoms and lung function of school-aged children in Kuala Lumpur

ABSTRACT

Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) exposure has been connected to significant health impacts among children. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among school children in Malaysia to determine the relationship between their exposure to TRAP and respiratory health effects. Air monitoring was conducted in schools and residences, while the children’s routines were investigated using a diary of daily activities. Respondents’ background and respiratory symptoms were obtained from a validated questionnaire, while a spirometry test was performed to determine their lung function status. The distances between schools and residences from the had contributed to the higher concentration of air pollutants in this study, which had associations with the children’s respiratory symptoms and lung function status. PM_2.5 was the main predictor influencing the respondents’ respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities. In conclusion, exposure of school children to a high TRAP level might increase their risk of getting respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction.

KEYWORDS:

• TRAP
• air pollution
• PM_2.5
• FVC
• FEV₁

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the primary school management, respondents and their parents or guardians for their full cooperation and voluntary participation during data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics and consent

The study was approved by the Ministry of Education Malaysia and reviewed by Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects (reference no: JKEUPM-2019-466 and JKEUPM-2018-278) before conducting the study. The respondents were asked to participate in the study voluntarily with permission from parents or guardians. Consent forms were given to be read and signed by parents or guardians. The information about respondents involved in this research remains confidential.

Additional information

Funding

This study is based on funding from the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (Project Code: FRGS/1/2019/SKK06/UPM/02/6).