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The Impacts of Illegal Toxic Waste Dumping on Children’s Health: A Review and Case Study from Pasir Gudang, Malaysia

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  • Mohd Faiz Ibrahim

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
    Malaysian Society for Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE), No. 41, Jalan Persiaran Taman Melati, Taman Melati, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia)

  • Rozita Hod

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
    Malaysian Society for Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE), No. 41, Jalan Persiaran Taman Melati, Taman Melati, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia)

  • Haidar Rizal Toha

    (Malaysian Society for Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE), No. 41, Jalan Persiaran Taman Melati, Taman Melati, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia
    Public Health Division, Johor State Health Department, Jalan Persiaran Permai, Johor Bahru 81200, Malaysia)

  • Azmawati Mohammed Nawi

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Idayu Badilla Idris

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Hanizah Mohd Yusoff

    (Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Mazrura Sahani

    (Malaysian Society for Environmental Epidemiology (MySEE), No. 41, Jalan Persiaran Taman Melati, Taman Melati, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia
    Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia)

Abstract

Poor management of hazardous waste can lead to environmental pollution, injuries, and adverse health risks. Children’s exposure to hazardous waste may cause serious acute and chronic health problems due to their higher vulnerability to the toxic effects of chemicals. This study examines an incident of illegal chemical dumping in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia and its potential health impacts on children. The study introduced a risk assessment of possible health-related effects due to chemical contamination based on a real case scenario where quantification of the contamination was not feasible. A literature review and spatial analysis were used as research methods. On 6th March 2019, tons of hazardous waste were illegally disposed into Kim Kim River, Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. They were identified as benzene, acrolein, acrylonitrile, hydrogen chloride, methane, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and d-limonene. As a result, 975 students in the vicinity developed signs and symptoms of respiratory disease due to the chemical poisoning. The findings of this study indicate that more effective policies and preventive actions are urgently needed to protect human health, especially children from improper hazardous waste management.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohd Faiz Ibrahim & Rozita Hod & Haidar Rizal Toha & Azmawati Mohammed Nawi & Idayu Badilla Idris & Hanizah Mohd Yusoff & Mazrura Sahani, 2021. "The Impacts of Illegal Toxic Waste Dumping on Children’s Health: A Review and Case Study from Pasir Gudang, Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2221-:d:504888
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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