Muhammad Rizal Razman

Evaluation of Minerals Content of Drinking Water in Malaysia

The drinking and mineral water samples obtained from different geographical locations had concentrations of the selected minerals lower than the standard limits, except for manganese, arsenic, and fluoride. The concentrations of manganese and arsenic in two mineral water samples were slightly higher than the standard international recommended limits. One mineral water sample had a fluoride concentration higher than the standard limits, whereas manganese was not detected in nine drinking and mineral water samples. Most of the selected minerals found in the tap water samples were below the international standard limits, except for iron and manganese. The concentrations of iron and manganese in the tap water samples were higher than the standard limits, which were obtained from one and three of the studied locations, respectively. The potable water obtained from various manufacturers and locations in Peninsular Malaysia is safe for consumption, as the minerals concentrations were below the standard limits prescribed by the Malaysian Food Regulations of 1985. The data obtained may also provide important information related to daily intake of these minerals from drinking water.

Quantitative Determination of Fatty Acids in Marine Fish and Shellfish from Warm Water of Straits of Malacca for Nutraceutical Purposes

This study was conducted to quantitatively determine the fatty acid contents of 20 species of marine fish and four species of shellfish from Straits of Malacca. Most samples contained fairly high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n3). Longtail shad, yellowstripe scad, and moonfish contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), respectively. Meanwhile, fringescale sardinella, malabar red snapper, black pomfret, Japanese threadfin bream, giant seaperch, and sixbar grouper showed considerably high content (537.2–944.1 mg/100g wet sample) of desirable omega-3 fatty acids. The polyunsaturated-fatty-acids/saturated-fatty-acids (P/S) ratios for most samples were higher than that of Menhaden oil (P/S = 0.58), a recommended PUFA supplement which may help to lower blood pressure. Yellowstripe scad (highest DHA, ω − 3/ω − 6 = 6.4, P/S = 1.7), moonfish (highest ALA, ω − 3/ω − 6 = 1.9, P/S = 1.0), and longtail shad (highest EPA, ω − 3/ω − 6 = 0.8, P/S = 0.4) were the samples with an outstandingly desirable overall composition of fatty acids. Overall, the marine fish and shellfish from the area contained good composition of fatty acids which offer health benefits and may be used for nutraceutical purposes in the future.

Occupational safety and health management in the construction industry: a review

The construction industry plays a significant role in contributing to the economy and development globally. During the process of construction, various hazards coupled with the unique nature of the industry contribute to high fatality rates. This review refers to previous published studies and related Malaysian legislation documents. Four main elements consisting of human, worksite, management and external elements which cause occupational accidents and illnesses were identified. External and management elements are the underlying causes contributing to occupational safety and health (OSH), while human and worksite elements are more apparent causes of occupational accidents and illnesses. An effective OSH management approach is required to contain all hazards at construction sites. An approach to OSH management constructed by elements of policy, process, personnel and incentive developed in previous work is explored. Changes to the sub-elements according to previous studies and the related Malaysian legislation are also covered in this review.

Governance in Occupational Safety and Health in the Aspect of Indoor Air Quality in Malaysia

Occupational safety and health are a field that is often attracted by various parties and organizations and is a modern social movement. The issue of the deterioration of indoor air quality in the work environment is one of the environmental issues. However, when discussing the issue of indoor air quality in terms of occupational safety and health in Malaysia, most of the studies conducted were more focused on the aftermath of indoor air quality and steps its escort to ensure internal air quality problems in the work environment are more temporary. The implementation of governance in occupational safety and health in the aspects of indoor air quality in Malaysia is divided into two, through legal and non-legal methods. Based on the basic beliefs of sustainability governance there are two main approaches namely holistic approach and reductionism. Thus, this study discusses whether the implementation of governance in occupational safety and health governance in the aspects of indoor air quality is influenced by one or a combination of holistic approaches and reductionism based on the analysis of relevant documents. The findings show that each approach has its own payoff and importance in ensuring the implementation of governance occupational safety and health with the involvement of various and structured stakeholders.

Human Element as the Contributing Factor Towards Construction Accidents from the Perspective of Malaysian Residential Construction Industry

Malaysian construction industry is crucial in the development of the country towards becoming a developed nation. However, the positive growth of Malaysian construction industry is being affected with high fatality rate. There are four main elements contributing to occupational accidents in the industry comprising of immediate factor (human and worksite) and underlying factor (management and external). Human element is considered the most significant and obvious contributing factor towards occupational accidents in the construction industry. This element is formulated by the four sub-elements, human physical, experience, attitude and behavior. 13 residential projects comprising of seven high-rise and six low-rise projects were chosen in Penang, Malaysia. 135 and 13 respondents were selected for questionnaire survey and interview respectively. Attitude and behavior registered the highest mean average in human element. Comparison made between high-rise and low-rise projects respondents shown that there is no significant difference in the perspective of these two groups towards human element.

Polychlorinated biphenyl and heavy metal exposures among fishermen in the Straits of Malacca: neurobehavioural performance.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and selected heavy metals among fishermen via dietary intake of fish and other seafood from the eastern coast along the Straits of Malacca. This study determined the neurobehavioural performances (based on neurobehavioural core test battery scores) of the fishermen and evaluated the correlations between scores of neurobehavioural core test battery and exposure factors. Ninety fishermen participated in the study. The total fish intakes of the fishermen were measured using a set of food frequency questionnaires. The PCBs contents in the seafood samples ranged between 0.2 and 0.6 pg/g fresh sample. The concentrations of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in the seafood samples were 1.1-5.4, 0.3-4.4, 0.6-36.1, and 0.02-0.3 μg/g fresh sample, respectively. The PCBs, Hg, As, Cd, and Pb exposures of the fishermen was estimated to be 2.8, 0.02, 4.5, 0.09, and 0.5 pg/kg body weight/day, respectively. PCB and heavy metal exposures through dietary intake of fish and seafood were within the tolerable daily limits. The results of neurobehavioural core test battery revealed that the neurobehavioural performances of the fishermen were not affected due to PCB and heavy metal intoxication. No correlations were found between the exposure and neurobehavioural performance among the fishermen. These data are useful for policy makers to assure the safety and quality of seafood in relation to sea pollution. Although the levels of exposure were low, periodic assessment of the quality of fish and fish products is required due to the polluted seawater.