This article was downloaded by: [110.159.157.145] On: 06 February 2015, At: 19:15 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Desalination and Water Treatment Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tdwt20 Household’s perception of water pollution and its economic impact on human health in Malaysia Rafia Afroza, Hasanul Bannab, Muhammad Mehedi Masudc, Rulia Akhtara & Siti Rohani Yahayad a Department of Economics, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia b Faculty of Business and Accountancy, Department of Finance and Banking, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tel. +601 49310152; Fax: +603 7956 7252 c Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia d Click for updates The Centre for Poverty and Development Studies, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Published online: 04 Feb 2015. To cite this article: Rafia Afroz, Hasanul Banna, Muhammad Mehedi Masud, Rulia Akhtar & Siti Rohani Yahaya (2015): Household’s perception of water pollution and its economic impact on human health in Malaysia, Desalination and Water Treatment, DOI: 10.1080/19443994.2015.1006822 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1006822 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. 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Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions Desalination and Water Treatment (2015) 1–9 www.deswater.com doi: 10.1080/19443994.2015.1006822 Household’s perception of water pollution and its economic impact on human health in Malaysia Rafia Afroza, Hasanul Bannab,*, Muhammad Mehedi Masudc, Rulia Akhtara, Siti Rohani Yahayad aDepartment of Economics, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia bFaculty of Business and Accountancy, Department of Finance and Banking, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tel. +601 49310152; Fax: +603 7956 7252; email: [email protected] (H. Banna) cFaculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia dThe Centre for Poverty and Development Studies, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Received 5 October 2014; Accepted 28 December 2014 ABSTRACT Environmental problems are a major global concern. In this global problem, water pollution is perhaps one of the more threatening causes of environmental problems. Water pollution significantly affects public health. Hence, this paper investigates household risk perception of water pollution and examines the demographic and socio-economic factors that influence their risk perception. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed by SPSS. The findings indicate that gender, age, education, income, AWN and ATT signifi- cantly affect household risk perception of water pollution. Upon discussing the water resource policies in Malaysia, we offer recommendations that will be helpful for policy- makers to improve river water quality in Malaysia. Keywords: Water pollution; Households; Risk perception; Health impact; Economic impact, Malaysia Downloaded by [110.159.157.145] at 19:15 06 February 2015 1. Introduction growth and access to clean water is becoming increas- ingly complex [1]. This valuable resource needs to be Environmental problems are a major global con- managed in a way that can establish a sustainable cern. In this global problem, water pollution is per- development of human population in an environment haps one of the more threatening causes of with limited resources. Water resources management environmental problems. Water is the most sensitive is a great problem in many developing countries [2]. part of the environment, and a prerequisite for human Regulatory management is weak and suffers from and industrial development. The demand for fresh poor design and underfinancing. Collaborative water continues to increase due to the population *Corresponding author. Presented at the International Conference on Business, Economics, Energy and Environmental Sciences (ICBEEES) 19–21 September 2014, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1944-3994/1944-3986 Ó 2015 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved. 2 R. Afroz et al. / Desalination and Water Treatment decision-making is a strategic management approach 2. Impact of water pollution on human health in mechanism for water resources [3]. Malaysia Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, the Staying healthy is vital for continued economic expansion of the mining industry and heavy use of progression and sustainable growth. It is widely chemicals in agricultural sectors threaten the water acknowledged that water pollution negatively affects quality of many rivers. The sources of water pollution human health [6]. General sources of water pollution might be higher in river systems due to the revolu- include industrial wastes, sewage and rainwater. tionary change in land-based activities. The govern- Such forms of polluted water are used by the ment’s urbanisation and industrial policy can increase agricultural sector. It was estimated that around 20 the complexity in managing water resources. These million hectares in more than 50 countries are policies focus on economic growth, such as the trans- treated with contaminated or partially treated formation of agricultural intense activity to heavy contaminated water [7]. Polluted water has both industry. Thus, changes in land-use activities such as advantages and disadvantages. There are numerous industry and agriculture, deforestation and residential effects of using polluted waters. Some of the effects development have significantly affected the quality of can be recognised instantaneously; others manifest water in many river systems. The Malaysian govern- themselves later. ment and public are aware of the importance of rivers When water is contaminated by toxins, often ani- in Malaysia [4]. Fig. 1 shows the current water pollu- mals drink these toxins, which are then transferred to tion problem of river basins in Malaysia. humans when they consume the flesh of that animal. Recently, the Malaysian government advised the This can harm human body in the form of typhoid public to protect the water in view of its importance and cholera, among others. Regular consumption of for human survival and the health of the ecosystem. polluted water can damage the human heart and Hence, this study attempts to explore the household kidneys. Other diseases that can spread due to water perception regarding water pollution, its causes and pollution include poor blood circulation, vomiting, its impact on human health. Downloaded by [110.159.157.145] at 19:15 06 February 2015 Fig. 1. Map of polluted river basins in Malaysia (Source: Afroz et al. [5]; www.ekovest.com.my). R. Afroz et al. / Desalination and Water Treatment 3 skin lesions and damage to the nervous system. Water lower zone is situated in the Malaysian capital Kuala pollution is considered as the main cause of human Lumpur. The catchment area within which the river death [8]. Moreover, mining effluent wastewater has passes has grown rapidly since the early 1970s and is elevated concentration of metal and metalloid that can expected to continue growing in the future. The topog- be transported into ponds and rivers, and might even- raphy of the watershed area is surrounded by hilly tually affect the health of locals [9]. mountains. The Gombak River flows through Selangor In developing countries, research has shown that and Kuala Lumpur as shown in Fig. 2. It is a tributary approximately more than 2 million children under five of the Klang River. The point where it meets the Klang die each year from drinking contaminated water. River is where the name Kuala Lumpur originated. Water pollution, hygiene and sanitation cause approxi- Gombak River used to be called Sungai Lumpur. Kuala mately 10% of global diseases [10]. A large number of Lumpur’s name was taken as it was located in Sungai population (nearly 900 million) lack access to safe Lumpur’s confluence or Kuala Lumpur. water [11], while 2.5 million people do not have proper sanitation systems. According to IWMI [12], one-third of the world