31/03/2025

MONDAY | MAR 31, 2025

HEALTH 26

Hidden dangers of fireworks o ENT surgeon’s view on festive firecrackers T HE festive season of Raya is a time of joy and celebration, marked by vibrant fireworks lighting up the sky. However, behind the dazzling

HFMD cases soar in Penang PENANG recorded a significant increase in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the first three months of this year, with 3,446 cases reported from Jan 1 to March 22. This marks an increase of 409%, or 2,769 cases, compared to 677 cases recorded in the same period last year. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the Seberang Perai Tengah district recorded the highest number of cases at 1,082, followed by Seberang Perai Selatan (700), Timur Laut (628), Barat Daya (620) and Seberang Perai Utara (416). “In the 12th epidemiological week from March 16 to 22, a total of 422 new HFMD cases were reported. This represents an increase of 25 cases or 6.3% compared to the previous week. During the same week, 22 new HFMD clusters were also reported,” he told a press conference at Komtar last Friday. Also present were Penang Health Department public health deputy director Dr Rozaini Mat Shah and infectious disease control principal assistant director Noor Farhana Mohd Fathil. Gooi said of the 112 clusters reported so far this year, 81 clusters or 72.3% involved preschools (eight), taska (24), tadika (39) and tabika (10), while 30 outbreaks were detected in primary schools and one in a daycare centre. However, he noted only 26 clusters remain active, adding all reported cases exhibited mild symptoms and were treated as outpatients. “According to the enterovirus surveillance, the primary virus causing HFMD transmission in Penang is Coxsackievirus A16, which spreads through contact with saliva, blister fluid and faeces of infected individuals. Most infections cause mild symptoms such as fever, followed by blisters on the hands, feet, mouth and tongue. Nearly all HFMD patients return home without requiring specific treatment within seven to 10 days,” he explained. Meanwhile, Gooi said one case of enterovirus 71 was detected this year, but it was not severe. The state Health Department urged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to curb the rising HFMD cases, including maintaining personal hygiene. – Bernama PMCK TO DEVELOP RM193M MEDICAL CENTRE IN KULIM Healthcare provider PMCK Bhd has received the nod to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities and will expand its footprint through the development of PMC Kulim, a private medical centre and mixed-use facility in Kedah. The listing will propel PMCK’s RM193 million PMC Kulim project, a 12-storey medical centre integrated with a seven-storey mixed-use development (hotel, food court and amenities). Slated for completion in the first quarter of 2028, the project targets underserved populations in Kulim, Bandar Baharu and neighbouring districts, where private healthcare infrastructure remains sparse. Yayasan Sime Darby, Ford Philanthropy and MyFundAction recently launched the Ford Mobile Clinic to enhance healthcare access in Malaysia’s rural areas. This initiative aims to provide essential medical services to underserved communities, particularly in Kelantan, Perak, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The collaboration supports the government’s efforts to improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas. Each year, the mobile clinic will serve up to 9,000 patients in agricultural regions, traditional villages and orang asli settlements. A key aspect of the mobile clinic is MyFundAction’s mobilisation of a network of healthcare professionals and volunteers who are essential in delivering medical services to remote communities. MOBILE CLINIC LAUNCHES FOR RURAL HEALTHCARE

environment further. Studies have shown fireworks can significantly spike air pollution levels, with concentrations of harmful chemicals rising during celebrations. Measures to minimise health risks To reduce the health risks associated with fireworks, consider using earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to protect your hearing during fireworks displays and keep a safe distance from fireworks to avoid excessive noise exposure and smoke inhalation. If you are sensitive to smoke, stay indoors or wear a mask. Stay hydrated and use saline nasal sprays to clear your airways and minimise respiratory irritation. Low-noise fireworks are also encouraged for a safer celebration, particularly in residential areas. When should you seek medical attention? If you experience any of the following symptoms after being exposed to fireworks, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately: 0 Severe ear pain, hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) 0 Difficulty breathing, wheezing or a persistent cough 0 Throat irritation, swelling or hoarseness 0 Nasal blockage, thick or smelly discharge from the nose 0 Facial burns or nasal injuries 0 Dizziness or balance issues after exposure to loud noises Tips for parents If you plan to allow your children to play with fireworks, always supervise them closely while they handle fireworks. Teach your children the proper firework handling techniques, such as keeping a safe distance when lighting sparklers. Limit your children’s exposure to loud firecrackers to protect their hearing and encourage them to wear protective

earplugs to minimise health risks. For individuals with respiratory issues, it is essential to keep your inhaler nearby, stay indoors when pollution levels rise, use air purifiers to improve indoor air quality and gargle with salt water to soothe your throat. Meanwhile, those with hearing sensitivity should wear noise-cancelling earplugs or earmuffs to protect their ears, avoid areas with excessive noise and take breaks in quieter spaces to rest their ears. While fireworks are integral to our celebrations, they come with hidden risks that can affect our ENT. We can enjoy these festive displays safely and protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential harm by staying informed and taking preventive measures. This article is contributed

displays lies a hidden danger that often goes unnoticed – fireworks pose significant health risks, particularly to the ears, nose and throat (ENT). While anyone can be affected by fireworks, certain groups are more vulnerable, including children, elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory or hearing conditions. Be mindful of the potential dangers and take precautions to protect your health and that of your loved ones. Health risks associated with fireworks Fireworks produce noise levels exceeding 150 decibels (dB), far above the safe hearing limit of 85dB. These loud bangs and explosive noises can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear pain or, in extreme cases, a burst eardrum. Exposure to these high-decibel noises can cause both temporary and permanent hearing damage. Also, the smoke and chemicals emitted by fireworks can cause throat irritation, bronchitis and exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. The fine particulate matter released can worsen allergies, triggering conditions such as rhinitis or sinusitis. When fireworks explode, they release chemicals and fine particles into the air. These include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which can penetrate deep into the respiratory system. Inhaling these pollutants can cause throat and lung irritation, decreased lung function and inflammation of the respiratory tract. Additionally, the metals used in fireworks to create various colours, such as barium, strontium and copper, are toxic when inhaled and can harm the CHEWING gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic pieces straight into people’s mouths, researchers said last week. The small study comes as researchers have increasingly been finding small shards of plastic called microplastics throughout the world, from the tops of mountains to the bottom of the ocean – and even in the air we breathe. They have also discovered microplastics riddled throughout human bodies, including inside our lungs, blood and brains, sparking fears about the potential effect this could be having on health. “I do not want to alarm people,” said Sanjay Mohanty, the lead researcher behind the new study which has not yet been peer-reviewed. There is no evidence directly showing microplastics are harmful to human health, said Sanjay of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The pilot study instead sought to illustrate yet another little-researched way these mostly invisible plastic pieces enter our bodies – chewing gum. Lisa Lowe, a PhD student at UCLA, chewed seven pieces each of 10 brands of gum, before the researchers then ran a chemical analysis on her saliva. They found 1g of gum released an average of 100 microplastic fragments, though some shed more than 600. The average weight of a stick of gum is around 1.5g. People who chew around 180 pieces of gum a year could be ingesting roughly 30,000 microplastics, the researchers said.

by Subang Jaya Medical Centre consultant ENT surgeon Dr Jeyanthi Kulasegarah.

Fireworks produce noise levels exceeding the safe

hearing limit. – ISTOCKPIC Chewing gum releases microplastics into mouth, say researchers

chewy effect, the researchers said. However, packaging does not list any plastics in the ingredients, simply using the words “gum-based”. The researchers tested five brands of synthetic gum and five of natural gum, which use plant-based polymers such as tree sap. “It was surprising we found microplastics were abundant in both,” Lowe said. David Jones, a researcher from the UK’s University of Portsmouth who was not involved in the study, said he was surprised the researchers found certain plastics not known to be in gum, suggesting they could have come from another source in the lab. But the overall findings were “not at all surprising”, he said. People tend to “freak out a little bit” when told the building blocks of chewing gum were similar to what is found“in car tyres, plastic bags and bottles”, David said. Oliver Jones, a chemistry professor at Australia’s RMIT University, said if the relatively small number of microplastics were swallowed, they “would likely pass straight through you with no impact”. The National Confectioners Association, which represents chewing gum manufacturers in the US, said in a statement the study’s authors had admitted “there is no cause for alarm”. “Gum is safe to enjoy as it has been for more than 100 years,” it said, adding the ingredients were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. – AFP

BR I E F S

The building blocks of chewing gum are similar to what is found in car tyres, plastic bags and bottles. – 123RFPIC This pales in comparison to the many other ways that humans ingest microplastics, Sanjay emphasised. For example, other researchers estimated last year that a litre of water in a plastic bottle contained an average of 240,000 microplastics. Tyres, plastic bags, bottles The most common chewing gum sold in supermarkets is called synthetic gum, which contains petroleum-based polymers to get that