Introduction: Air pollution and air quality are growing concerns among urban citizens of Southeast Asia, especially the University students who devote most of their days to the vicinity of campus. However, there is limited data available on the extent of the problem, as well as an understanding of the knowledge of and perceptions of people who may be exposed to poor air quality. Methods: This focused study evaluated University students’ opinions, perceptions, and behavioral responses to local air quality in the Iskandar Puteri, Johor region of Malaysia using an online questionnaire, and measurements of NO2, SO2, formaldehyde, and particulate matter levels in the area using diffusion tubes. All air quality parameters were within the standards recommended by the local environmental authority, however, NO2 levels exceeded the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) standards at all sites. Results: Questionnaire findings indicate that students most commonly suffered from respiratory diseases, and were very concerned about air pollution and its impacts. Respondents perceived the situation to be worse in the afternoons and weekends, corroborated by the PM2.5 readings in the area. Preferred preventive measures included wearing masks and limiting active time outdoors. Conclusions The evidence from this study highlighted the need to improve air quality in Iskandar Puteri as the NO2 level exceeded international standards for human health at all study sites. This could be supported by educational programs for industry, limitations on traffic emissions, and general awareness of air quality issues present locally.

INTRODUCTION: Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have been recommended for cancer patients to reduce the risk of severe disease. Anti-neoplastic treatment, such as chemotherapy, may affect long-term vaccine immunogenicity. METHOD: Patients with solid or haematological cancer were recruited from 2 hospitals between July 2021 and March 2022. Humoral response was evaluated using GenScript cPASS surrogate virus neutralisation assays. Clinical outcomes were obtained from medical records and national mandatory-reporting databases. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients were recruited, with 40 having haematological malignancies and the rest solid tumours. Among the participants, 204 (74.7%) were receiving active cancer therapy, including 98 (35.9%) undergoing systemic chemotherapy and the rest targeted therapy or immunotherapy. All patients were seronegative at baseline. Seroconversion rates after receiving 1, 2 and 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination were 35.2%, 79.4% and 92.4%, respectively. After 3 doses, patients on active treatment for haematological malignancies had lower antibodies (57.3%±46.2) when compared to patients on immunotherapy (94.1%±9.56, P<0.05) and chemotherapy (92.8%±18.1, P<0.05). SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in 77 (28.2%) patients, of which 18 were severe. No patient receiving a third dose within 90 days of the second dose experienced severe infection. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the benefit of early administration of the third dose among cancer patients.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Treatment Outcome ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Vaccination ; RNA, Messenger ; Antibodies, Viral ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine