TAHNIAH DR. MOHD SAIFUL SAMSUDIN RUTRANS 2024

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are significant environmental pollutants with major ecotoxicological risks to humans and aquatic animals, exacerbated by extensive plastic production and waste, resulting in increased indoor exposure and various health impacts such as oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and inflammation, ultimately affecting multiple human body systems. The risks of microplastics poisoning stem from direct sources (outdoor air, indoor air, and dust) and indirect sources (food chain), leading to non-communicable diseases depending on the routes of entry (inhalation, consumption, and dermal contact), and are exacerbated by lack of knowledge, improper attitudes, and unsuitable practices in microplastics management. The study aims to determine

the MPs exposure risk level based on developed risk assessment framework and validated tool (questionnaire) among Malaysians in the riverside community of Sungai Muda. The study will also take into consideration secondary data related to non-communicable diseases commnuti engagement from Ministry of Health (MOH). This descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted in the vicinity of Sungai Muda aims to assess risk level of microplastic (MPs) exposure among riverside communities of Sungai Muda through five phases. Phase 1 involves gathering relevant research materials and defining study objectives and hypotheses. Phase 2 focuses on developing a risk assessment framework adapted from previous studies, setting up variables, and obtaining ethical clearance. In this phase, the application of secondary data from MOH will be coordinated. Phase 3 selects study sites and conducts a pilot test to validate instruments, ensuring reliability through descriptive analyses for the social aspect of the study. Phase 4 entails data collection and analysis to identify associations between MPs exposur causes and demographic variables, pinpointing risk factors for MPs exposure. The study will also be complimented with an in vitro toxicity assays method inidentifying the non-communicable diseases through cell lines. Overall, this study seeks to provide comprehensive insights into addressing MPs exposure risks in Malaysian riverside communities based on robust data collection and analysis.The project results will characterize the microplastics exposure risk contributing to non-communicable diseases in the riverside commmunities of Sungai Muda. It will compliment the other projects by viewing the microplastics issues from social and health perspectives. The project aims to offer valuable insights into the broader implications of microplastic pollution towards non-commnunicable diseases, providing a comprehensive understanding of its impact.