Search

The knowledge and awareness of the risks of pesticides use among farmers is crucial in obtaining relevant information to reduce the pesticide risks on the environment and human health. Evaluation of knowledge and awareness about the risks of pesticides use on the environment and human health have been carried out on 360 farmers in Penang using questionnaires through purposive sampling. The objectives of this study were to find out the level of knowledge about pesticide risks on the environment and health, the level of awareness of pesticide use and the relationship between sociodemographic factors and knowledge with awareness. Descriptive analysis showed that the level of awareness of pesticides use was moderate (score 2.35 ± 1.03) although their level of knowledge about pesticide risk on environment and health was high (3.63 ± 1.55). Awareness about prohibition and harmful pesticides was high (score 3.29 ± 2.38) while about the pesticide disposal containers was low (score 1.59 ± 2.34). This was driven by their moderate knowledge of the availability of pesticide residues in the environment (score 2.43 ± 2.50). In conclusion, government needs to emphasize on continuing education programs, management of training in safe pesticides handling and incentives should be given to the less educated and less experience farmers especially youth farmers while the reduction environment taxes should be given to the large scale cultivation farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inappropriate food handling is the main contributing factor often associated with the food borne diseases. Thousands of millions of people around the globe fall ill and many die as a result of eating unsafe foodThe status of food handling is closely related to the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of food handlers. This study aimed to study the level of hygiene in the food premises; assessing the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of food handlers regarding food safety and identifying the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices. This study was conducted in Tanjung Lumpur Kuantan, Pahang using questionnaire form. Respondents consist of a total of 61 food handlers from 61 licensed food premises with the Kuantan Municipal Council. The results showed that respondents had good knowledge of food safety. However, respondents lack of knowledge related to reheating of cooked food (74.3%) and the safe temperature of cooked food (72.5%). The results of the study also found that respondents had positive attitude about food safety. In terms of respondents' practices in food safety, was found that the respondents had good practice. The findings also show that there is no significant relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practices. However, there was a significant relationship between experience as food handler and respondents' knowledge (r = 0.253, p = 0.049). In summary, this study suggests that food workers in Tanjung Lumpur displayed good knowledge, a positive attitude and an excellent practice on food safety. Yet results showed that food handlers are still lacking in basic knowledge on food safety, particularly on reheating and safe temperature of cooked food. As a conclusion, This study can serve as a guide to the relevant authorities to develop a more effective strategy towards improving the hygiene aspect of their area in ensuring that food sold at the premises is not only clean but more importantly has no foodborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban traffic noise pollution is inevitable for developing areas. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of traffic noise pollution in the rapidly developing urban area, Bandar Batu Pahat, Johor. The tools used to observe the data of traffic noise was RS-232 Integrating Sound Level Meter. Average noise value and number of vehicles were also recorded for all nine (9) sampling stations at Batu Pahat that was selected by convenient sampling method on weekdays and weekends, in the morning, noon, evening and night. The results showed that the highest average overall rating for the city center area on weekends was 74.0 dBA which is higher than the average of the working day which was 73.0 dBA. Overall, the average noise of traffic at this study location exceeded the standard set by the DOE which was more than 65 dBA. Therefore, legislation relating to sound and noise pollution should be enforced more strictly in addition to non-legislative measures. Meanwhile, the community should be aware of the dangers of this noise to humans in order to help in improving human's quality of life and a systematic environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]