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This paper highlights the sound absorption performance of microperforated panel (MPP) made from coconut fiber and polylactic acid (PLA) composite named as biocomposite microperforated panel (BMPP). Coconut fiber was used to produce BMPP specimen and PLA was used as matrix. Impedance tube method was employed to identify the sound absorption performance of BMPP specimen while a porosity tester was used to determine the porosity of BMPP specimen. Comparison on the sound absorption performance between BMPP and steel MPP will be discussed in this paper. It has been found that BMPP with different composition percentage of coconut fiber and PLA possessed different sound absorption performance mainly due to the existence of pores and tortuous structure within the specimen itself. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) scan was performed to further analyze the structure of BMPP specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Prolonged exposure to hand-transmitted vibration from grass-cutting machines has been associated with increasing occurrences of symptoms and signs of occupational diseases related to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out using an adopted HAVS questionnaire on hand-arm vibration exposure and symptoms distributed to 168 male workers from the grass and turf maintenance industry who use hand-held grass-cutting machines as part of their work. The prevalence ratio and symptom correlation to HAVS between high and low-moderate exposure risk groups were evaluated. Results. There were positive HAVS symptoms relationships between the low-moderate exposure group and the high exposure group among hand-held grass-cutting workers. The prevalence ratio was considered high because there were indicators that fingers turned white and felt numb, 3.63, 95% CI [1.41, 9.39] and 4.24, 95% CI [2.18, 8.27], respectively. Less than 14.3% of workers stated that they were aware of the occupational hand-arm vibration, and it seemed to be related to the finger blanching and numbness. Conclusion. The results suggest that HAVS is under-diagnosed in Malaysia, especially in the agricultural sectors. More information related to safety and health awareness programmes for HAVS exposure is required among hand-held grass-cutting workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]