MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 453 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext Waste heat recovery research - a systematic bibliometric analysis (1991 to 2020)

Kuah CT, Koh QY, Rajoo S, Wong KY

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Jun;30(28):72074-72100.
PMID: 35716302 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21377-6

Human usage of non-renewable energy resources has caused many environmental issues, which include air pollution, global warming, and climate irregularities. To counter these issues, researchers have been seeking after alternative renewable energy sources and ways to manage energy more efficiently. This is where energy recovery technologies such as waste heat recovery (WHR) come into play. WHR is a form of waste to energy conversion. Waste heat can be captured and converted into usable energy instead of dumping it into the environment. In the more recent years, the WHR research field has gained great attention in the scientific community as well as in some energy-intensive industries. This article presents a bibliometric overview of the academic research on WHR over the span of 30 years from 1991 to 2020. A total of 5682 documents from Web of Science (WoS) have been retrieved and analyzed using various bibliometric methods, including performance analysis and network analysis. The analyses were performed on different actors in the field, i.e., funding agencies, journals, authors, organizations, and countries. In addition, several network mappings were done based on co-citation, co-authorship, and co-occurrences of keywords analyses. The research identified the most productive and influential actors in the field, established and emergent research topics, as well as the interrelations and collaboration patterns between different actors. The findings can be a robust roadmap for further research in this field.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollution*
Volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Associations with rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue

Norbäck D, Hashim JH, Hashim Z, Ali F

Sci Total Environ, 2017 Aug 15;592:153-160.
PMID: 28319702 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.215

This paper studied associations between volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in schools in Malaysia and rhinitis, ocular, nasal and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue among students. Pupils from eight randomly selected junior high schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (N=462), participated (96%). VOC, formaldehyde and NO2 were measured by diffusion sampling (one week) and VOC also by pumped air sampling during class. Associations were calculated by multi-level logistic regression adjusting for personal factors, the home environment and microbial compounds in the school dust. The prevalence of weekly rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms were 18.8%, 11.6%, 15.6%, and 11.1%, respectively. Totally 20.6% had weekly headache and 22.1% fatigue. Indoor CO2 were low (range 380-690 ppm). Indoor median NO2 and formaldehyde concentrations over one week were 23μg/m3 and 2.0μg/m3, respectively. Median indoor concentration of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and limonene over one week were 12.3, 1.6, 78.4 and 3.4μg/m3, respectively. For benzaldehyde, the mean indoor concentration was 2.0μg/m3 (median<1μg/m3). Median indoor levels during class of benzene and cyclohexane were 4.6 and 3.7μg/m3, respectively. NO2 was associated with ocular symptoms (p<0.001) and fatigue (p=0.01). Formaldehyde was associated with ocular (p=0.004), throat symptoms (p=0.006) and fatigue (p=0.001). Xylene was associated with fatigue (p<0.001) and benzaldehyde was associated with headache (p=0.03). In conclusion, xylene, benzaldehyde, formaldehyde and NO2 in schools can be risk factors for ocular and throat symptoms and fatigue among students in Malaysia. The indoor and outdoor levels of benzene were often higher than the EU standard of 5μg/m3.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects*
Fulltext Virulence genes detection among the antibiotic resistant enterococcus faecalis isolated from bird industry in Borneo

Sui, Sien Leong, Lihan, Samuel, Hwa, Chuan Chia

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2020;28(2):673-687.
MyJurnal

The abuse of antibiotics usage in bird industry has resulted in the emerging antibiotic resistant Enterococci worldwide which has posed a threat clinically to human health. The present study was to screen and identify the potential virulence agents in antibiotic resistance E. faecalis in bird industry in Borneo. Enterococcus bacteria collected from the birds’ faeces and indoor air inside ten birdhouses were identified to species level and their antibiotic resistance was checked using antibiotic susceptibility discs. Specific primers using PCR assay were intended for the detection of four potential virulence genes (ace, AS, efaA, gelE). Out of the thirty-seven Enterococci faecal bacteria, the prevailing bacteria found were Enterococcus qallinacum (51%), Enterococcus faecalis (35%) and Enterococcus harae (8%). The airborne bacteria were reported as Enterococcus faecalis (5%) and Enterococcus qallinacum (1%). Twenty-seven percent of isolates were reported to have Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index ≥ 0.2 with 9 distinct resistance patterns formed. E. faecalis showed higher resistance to vancomycin. Virulence genes were successfully reported in the 15 E. faecalis isolates. Sixty-seven percent of isolates were detected positive for four virulence genes, 27% possessed three (AS, efaA, gelE) genes and 6% possessed two (ace, AS) genes. Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes detection were significantly correlated. These virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes were important in the pathogenesis of E. faecalis infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollution, Indoor
Vertical distribution of smoke aerosols over upper Indo-Gangetic Plain

Vinjamuri KS, Mhawish A, Banerjee T, Sorek-Hamer M, Broday DM, Mall RK, et al.

Environ Pollut, 2020 Feb;257:113377.
PMID: 31672363 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113377

Attenuated backscatter profiles retrieved by the space borne active lidar CALIOP on-board CALIPSO satellite were used to measure the vertical distribution of smoke aerosols and to compare it against the ECMWF planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) over the smoke dominated region of Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), South Asia. Initially, the relative abundance of smoke aerosols was investigated considering multiple satellite retrieved aerosol optical properties. Only the upper IGP was selectively considered for CALIPSO retrieval based on prevalence of smoke aerosols. Smoke extinction was found to contribute 2-50% of the total aerosol extinction, with strong seasonal and altitudinal attributes. During winter (DJF), smoke aerosols contribute almost 50% of total aerosol extinction only near to the surface while in post-monsoon (ON) and monsoon (JJAS), relative contribution of smoke aerosols to total extinction was highest at about 8 km height. There was strong diurnal variation in smoke extinction, evident throughout the year, with frequent abundance of smoke particles at lower height (<4 km) during daytime compared to higher height during night (>4 km). Smoke injection height also varied considerably during rice (ON: 0.71 ± 0.65 km) and wheat (AM: 2.34 ± 1.34 km) residue burning period having a significant positive correlation with prevailing PBLH. Partitioning smoke AOD against PBLH into the free troposphere (FT) and boundary layer (BL) yield interesting results. BL contribute 36% (16%) of smoke AOD during daytime (nighttime) and the BL-FT distinction increased particularly at night. There was evidence that despite travelling efficiently to FT, major proportion of smoke AOD (50-80%) continue to remain close to the surface (<3 km) thereby, may have greater implications on regional climate, air quality, smoke transport and AOD-particulate modelling.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Air Pollution/analysis*
Fulltext Ventilation flow evaluation system for sustainable housing development

Nur Azfahani Ahmad, Zuraihana Ahmad Zawawi, Nazhatulzalkis Jamaludin, Khairulliza Ahmad Salleh

Jurnal Inovasi Malaysia, 2019;2(2):55-70.
MyJurnal

A 1984 World Health Organization (WHO) Committee report highlighted that up to 30 per cent of buildings may have to face problems related to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Insufficient ventilation will lead to stagnant air and can cause stuffiness in buildings. This will then leads to a bigger problem, known as the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). It is important to note that sick building syndrome may cause various illnesses including allergies, acute respiration problem, feeling of discomfort and other psychological impacts. The “Ventilation Flow Evaluation System for Sustainable Housing Development” is a PC-based database tool developed to access and measure ventilation flow in a new or remodelled building in order to prevent or mitigate this problem. The purpose of the system is to provide resources for building designers in solving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues especially related to ventilation flow based on regulations provided in Malaysian Standard (MS 1525). The system will allow readily building plan to be measured and analysed based on ventilation data collected at site, in order to allow buildings to obtain healthy and sufficient air for breathing and comfort purposes. The system will also recommend suitable layout plan in the building to meet the ventilation purposes, namely cross-ventilation and stack-effect ventilation.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Conditioning; Air Pollution, Indoor; Air Filters
Fulltext Venous gas embolism following hydrogen peroxide irrigation during debridement of chronic osteomyelitis lesion

Shukrimi A, Aminudin CA, Azril MA, Hadi MR

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Feb;61 Suppl A:88-90.
PMID: 17042238

We report a case of a previously healthy 53-year-old man who developed an intra-operative catastrophic event occurring in association with the use of hydrogen peroxide for wound irrigation following surgical debridement of a chronic osteomyelitis lesion of the humerus. It is our intention to highlight this potentially fatal consequence of hydrogen peroxide irrigation as part of bone debridement procedure. This case will serve as a reminder to orthopaedic surgeons who frequently use hydrogen peroxide in their surgical practice.

Matched MeSH terms: Embolism, Air/chemically induced*
Fulltext Venous Air Embolism during Elective Craniotomy for Parasagittal Meningioma

Hassan WMNW, Asmah Z, Saedah A

Med J Malaysia, 2013;68(1):69-70.
PMID: 23466772 MyJurnal

We report a case of a 59 year old man who developed venous air embolism (VAE) during an elective craniotomy for parasagittal meningioma resection. The surgery was done in the supine position with slightly elevated head position. VAE was provisionally diagnosed by sudden decreased in the end tidal carbon dioxide pressure from 34 to 18 mmHg, followed by marked hypotension and atrial fibrillation. Prompt central venous blood aspiration, aggressive resuscitation and inotropic support managed to stabilize the patient. Post operatively, he was admitted in neuro intensive care unit and made a good recovery without serious complications.

Matched MeSH terms: Embolism, Air*
Fulltext Variability on particulate matter and meteorology dataset during the hazy period in eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia

Ku Yusof KMK, Ismail SS, Azid A, Sani MSA, Isa NM, Mohamat Zawawi MZ

Data Brief, 2020 Apr;29:105210.
PMID: 32071985 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105210

This paper provides detail on sequence analysis of hazy days based on eight monitoring stations from three states (Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang) in the eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia. The dataset comprises of 1502 daily mean hazy days that had been measured for a decade. The meteorology data namely wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, relative humidity and particulate matter (PM10) were used to comprehend the variability, and the relationship existed amongst variables. The final dataset consists of a summary descriptive analysis and a boxplot, where all five variables were involved, including the minimum, maximum, mean, 1st quartile, median, 3rd quartile and standard deviation are presented. Apart from descriptive analysis, the normality test and histogram were performed as well.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution
Fulltext Using computational fluid dynamics in the determination of solar collector orientation and stack height of a solar induced ventilation prototype

Yusoff, W. F. M., Sapian, A. R., Salleh, E., Adam, N. M., Hamzah, Z., Mamat, M. H. H.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2014;22(1):273-288.
MyJurnal

Stack ventilation in the hot and humid climate is inherently inefficient due to minimal air temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environment of a naturally ventilated building. Solar induced ventilation is a viable alternative in enhancing this stack ventilation. This paper aims to demonstrate investigations on the effective solar collector orientation and stack height for a solar induced ventilation prototype that utilizes roof solar collector and vertical stack. The orientation of the solar collector is significant as it determines the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the solar collector. Meanwhile, the height of the vertical stack influences the creation of the stack pressure in inducing air movement. Investigations were executed using a simulation modelling software called FloVENT. The validation of the simulation modelling against physical experiment indicated a good agreement between these two results. Analyses were executed on the air temperature increments inside the solar collector. A high increment of the air temperature resulted in the effective orientation. Meanwhile, the air temperature and mass flow rate of the various heights of the vertical stack were also analyzed. The findings concluded that the recommended orientation for the prototype’s solar collector is the west-facing orientation. It was also found that the higher the vertical stack, the lower the air temperature inside the stack would be, but with greater induced mass flow rate.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Movements
Urbanization and carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore: evidence from the ARDL approach

Ali HS, Abdul-Rahim AS, Ribadu MB

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jan;24(2):1967-1974.
PMID: 27798805 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7935-z

The main aim of this article is to examine empirically the impact of urbanization on carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore from 1970 to 2015. The autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) approach is applied within the analysis. The main finding reveals a negative and significant impact of urbanization on carbon emissions in Singapore, which means that urban development in Singapore is not a barrier to the improvement of environmental quality. Thus, urbanization enhances environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions in the sample country. The result also highlighted that economic growth has a positive and significant impact on carbon emissions, which suggests that economic growth reduces environmental quality through its direct effect of increasing carbon emissions in the country. Despite the high level of urbanization in Singapore, which shows that 100 % of the populace is living in the urban center, it does not lead to more environmental degradation. Hence, urbanization will not be considered an obstacle when initiating policies that will be used to reduce environmental degradation in the country. Policy makers should consider the country's level of economic growth instead of urbanization when formulating policies to reduce environmental degradation, due to its direct impact on increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*
Urban environmental Health: respiratory infection and urban factors in urban growth corridor of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang, Malaysia

Ling OHL, Siti Nur Afiqah Mohamed Musthafa, Abdul Rauf Abdul Rasam

Sains Malaysiana, 2014;43:1405-1414.

Environmental health in general is referring to the aspect of concern on healthy environment, and the interrelations between environment and human health. Due to the urbanization, urban development is changing the natural environment into a man-made environment. Along with the process, level of environmental quality and human health are decreased. Air quality as reference shows that urban ambient air is more polluted than rural. Due to high density of human population and their activities in urban areas, it produces air pollutants with higher rate as compared to less-developed areas. Air pollutants contribute to various health problems. People suffering from respiratory diseases are the most likely to be affected by air pollution. This paper aimed to examine the rate of respiratory infection among residents in an urban growth corridor (Petaling Jaya-Shah Alam-Klang) and the relationship with the urban land uses, traffic volume and air quality. There were four major types of data used in this study i.e., respiratory infection of the respondents, air quality, land use and traffic volume. A health questionnaire survey was carried out besides the secondary data collection from the various government departments. Relationship analysis was performed between respiratory health and the urban factors (air quality, traffic volume and land uses). The study found out that the relationship between the respiratory health and the urban factors is different in city-wide land use and traffic factors, as compared to the localised air quality and land use factors. To conclude, the urban factors are potentially affecting the respiratory health.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution
Fulltext Updates in Air Pollution: Current Research and Future Challenges

Vilcins D, Christofferson RC, Yoon JH, Nazli SN, Sly PD, Cormier SA, et al.

Ann Glob Health, 2024;90(1):9.
PMID: 38312715 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4363

BACKGROUND: The United Nations has declared that humans have a right to clean air. Despite this, many deaths and disability-adjusted life years are attributed to air pollution exposure each year. We face both challenges to air quality and opportunities to improve, but several areas need to be addressed with urgency.
OBJECTIVE: This paper summarises the recent research presented at the Pacific Basin Consortium for Environment and Health Symposium and focuses on three key areas of air pollution that are important to human health and require more research.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: Indoor spaces are commonly places of exposure to poor air quality and are difficult to monitor and regulate. Global climate change risks worsening air quality in a bi-directional fashion. The rising use of electric vehicles may offer opportunities to improve air quality, but it also presents new challenges. Government policies and initiatives could lead to improved air and environmental justice. Several populations, such as older people and children, face increased harm from air pollution and should become priority groups for action.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollution, Indoor*
Understanding selected trace elements behavior in a coal-fired power plant in Malaysia for assessment of abatement technologies

Mokhtar MM, Taib RM, Hassim MH

J Air Waste Manag Assoc, 2014 Aug;64(8):867-78.
PMID: 25185389

The Proposed New Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation 201X (Draft), which replaces the Malaysia Environmental Quality (Clean Air) 1978, specifies limits to additional pollutants from power generation using fossil fuel. The new pollutants include Hg, HCl, and HF with limits of 0.03, 100, and 15 mg/N-m3 at 6% O2, respectively. These pollutants are normally present in very small concentrations (known as trace elements [TEs]), and hence are often neglected in environmental air quality monitoring in Malaysia. Following the enactment of the new regulation, it is now imperative to understand the TEs behavior and to assess the capability of the existing abatement technologies to comply with the new emission limits. This paper presents the comparison of TEs behavior of the most volatile (Hg, Cl, F) and less volatile (As, Be, Cd, Cr, Ni, Se, Pb) elements in subbituminous and bituminous coal and coal combustion products (CCP) (i.e., fly ash and bottom ash) from separate firing of subbituminous and bituminous coal in a coal-fired power plant in Malaysia. The effect of air pollution control devices configuration in removal of TEs was also investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of abatement technologies used in the plant. This study showed that subbituminous and bituminous coals and their CCPs have different TEs behavior. It is speculated that ash content could be a factor for such diverse behavior In addition, the type of coal and the concentrations of TEs in feed coal were to some extent influenced by the emission of TEs in flue gas. The electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and seawater flue gas desulfurization (FGD) used in the studied coal-fired power plant were found effective in removing TEs in particulate and vapor form, respectively, as well as complying with the new specified emission limits. Implications: Coals used by power plants in Peninsular Malaysia come from the same supplier (Tenaga Nasional Berhad Fuel Services), which is a subsidiary of the Malaysia electricity provider (Tenaga Nasional Berhad). Therefore, this study on trace elements behavior in a coal-fired power plant in Malaysia could represent emission from other plants in Peninsular Malaysia. By adhering to the current coal specifications and installation of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and flue gas desulfurization, the plants could comply with the limits specified in the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) Scheduled Waste Guideline for bottom ash and fly ash and the Proposed New Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulation 201X (Draft).

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Air Pollution/prevention & control*
Tyre-blast injuries

Murty OP

J Forensic Leg Med, 2009 May;16(4):224-7.
PMID: 19329081 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2008.12.027

A teenager college student was fatally injured by burst tyre air pressure while waiting on a public bus stand to catch a bus to reach her college at Kuala Lumpur. She accidentally came near the wheel while boarding when tube and tyre got burst .The air pressure had blown the girl in the air and she subsequently fell on a rough surface. The iron-locking rim of the wheel acted as a missile and hit the girl. She died on her way to the hospital. A medico-legal autopsy was performed which showed extensive injuries in the cranial and chest cavity. Head had large scalp laceration with diffuse separation and gaping from in the vault region; skull bones were fractured. Chest cavity had extensive rib fractures, lacerated lungs and haemo-thorax while externally there was no obvious injury. It requires intensive care management and screening of the victims. Tyre-blast injuries are not so common. This case exposes the hazard due to burst tyre.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pressure*
Two-way switch: Maximizing productivity of tilted panel in membrane bioreactor

Eliseus A, Bilad MR, Nordin NAHM, Khan AL, Putra ZA, Wirzal MDH, et al.

J Environ Manage, 2018 Dec 15;228:529-537.
PMID: 30273771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.09.029

Membrane fouling is a major challenge in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and its effective handling is the key to improve their competitiveness. Tilting panel system offers significant improvements for fouling control but is strictly limited to one-sided panel. In this study, we assess a two-way switch tilting panel system that enables two-sided membranes and project its implications on performance and energy footprint. Results show that tilting a panel improves permeance by up to 20% to reach a plateau flux thanks to better contacts between air bubbles and the membrane surface to scour-off the foulant. A plateau permeance could be achieved at aeration rate of as low as 0.90 l min-1, a condition untenable by vertical panel even at twice of the aeration rate. Switching at short periods (<5min) can maintain the hydraulic performance as in no-switch (static system), enables application of a two-sided switching panel. A comparison of vertical panel under 1.80 l min-1 aeration rate with a switching panel at a half of the rate, switched at 1 min period shows ≈10% higher permeance of the later. Since periodic switching consumes a very low energy (0.55% of the total of 0.276 kWh m-3), with reduction of aeration by 50%, the switching tilted panel offers 41% more energy efficient than a referenced full-scale MBR (0.390 kWh m-3). Overall results are very compelling and highly attractive for significant improvements of MBR technologies.

Matched MeSH terms: Air
Fulltext Tropospheric Ozone Formation Estimation in Urban City, Bangi, Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

Abdul Aziz FAB, Abd Rahman N, Mohd Ali J

Comput Intell Neurosci, 2019;2019:6252983.
PMID: 31239836 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6252983

Due to the rapid development of economy and society around the world, the most urban city is experiencing tropospheric ozone or commonly known as ground-level air pollutants. The concentration of air pollutants must be identified as an early precaution step by the local environmental or health agencies. This work aims to apply the artificial neural network (ANN) in estimating the ozone concentration forecast in Bangi. It consists of input variables such as temperature, relative humidity, concentration of nitrogen dioxide, time, UVA and UVB rays obtained from routine monitoring, and data recorded. Ten hidden layer is utilized to obtain the optimized ozone concentration, which is the output layer of the ANN framework. The finding showed that the meteorology condition and emission patterns play an important part in influencing the ozone concentration. However, a single network is sufficient enough to estimate the concentration despite any circumstances. Thus, it can be concluded that ANN is able to give reliable and satisfactory estimations of ozone concentration for the following day.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis
Trends in atmospheric particulate matter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and the vicinity

Rana MM, Sulaiman N, Sivertsen B, Khan MF, Nasreen S

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2016 Sep;23(17):17393-403.
PMID: 27230142 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6950-4

Dhaka and its neighboring areas suffer from severe air pollution, especially during dry season (November-April). We investigated temporal and directional variations in particulate matter (PM) concentrations in Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj from October 2012 to March 2015 to understand different aspects of PM concentrations and possible sources of high pollution in this region. Ninety-six-hour backward trajectories for the whole dry season were also computed to investigate incursion of long-range pollution into this area. We found yearly PM10 concentrations in this area about three times and yearly PM2.5 concentrations about six times greater than the national standards of Bangladesh. Dhaka and its vicinity experienced several air pollution episodes in dry season when PM2.5 concentrations were 8-13 times greater than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value. Higher pollution and great contribution of PM2.5 most of the time were associated with the north-westerly wind. Winter (November to January) was found as the most polluted season in this area, when average PM10 concentrations in Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj were 257.1, 240.3, and 327.4 μg m(-3), respectively. Pollution levels during wet season (May-October) were, although found legitimate as per the national standards of Bangladesh, exceeded WHO guideline value in 50 % of the days of that season. Trans-boundary source identifications using concentration-weighted trajectory method revealed that the sources in the eastern Indian region bordering Bangladesh, in the north-eastern Indian region bordering Nepal and in Nepal and its neighboring areas had high probability of contributing to the PM pollutions at Gazipur station.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*
Trend and status of air quality at three different monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Azmi SZ, Latif MT, Ismail AS, Juneng L, Jemain AA

Air Qual Atmos Health, 2010 Mar;3(1):53-64.
PMID: 20376168

Over the last decades, the development of the Klang Valley (Malaysia), as an urban commercial and industrial area, has elevated the risk of atmospheric pollutions. There are several significant sources of air pollutants which vary depending on the background of the location they originate from. The aim of this study is to determine the trend and status of air quality and their correlation with the meteorological factors at different air quality monitoring stations in the Klang Valley. The data of five major air pollutants (PM(10), CO, SO(2), O(3), NO(2)) were recorded at the Alam Sekitar Sdn Bhd (ASMA) monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, namely Petaling Jaya (S1), Shah Alam (S2) and Gombak (S3). The data from these three stations were compared with the data recorded at Jerantut, Pahang (B), a background station established by the Malaysian Department of Environment. Results show that the concentrations of CO, NO(2) and SO(2) are higher at Petaling Jaya (S1) which is due to influence of heavy traffic. The concentrations of PM(10) and O(3,) however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. They can, though, also be influenced by local sources. There are relatively stronger inter-pollutant correlations at the stations of Gombak and Shah Alam, and the results also suggest that heavy traffic flow induces high concentrations of PM(10), CO, NO(2) and SO(2) at the three sampling stations. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM(10) in the atmosphere.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution
Transboundary smoke haze pollution in Malaysia: inpatient health impacts and economic valuation

Othman J, Sahani M, Mahmud M, Ahmad MK

Environ Pollut, 2014 Jun;189:194-201.
PMID: 24682070 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.03.010

This study assessed the economic value of health impacts of transboundary smoke haze pollution in Kuala Lumpur and adjacent areas in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Daily inpatient data from 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009 for 14 haze-related illnesses were collected from four hospitals. On average, there were 19 hazy days each year during which the air pollution levels were within the Lower Moderate to Hazardous categories. No seasonal variation in inpatient cases was observed. A smoke haze occurrence was associated with an increase in inpatient cases by 2.4 per 10,000 populations each year, representing an increase of 31 percent from normal days. The average annual economic loss due to the inpatient health impact of haze was valued at MYR273,000 ($91,000 USD).

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollutants/analysis*; Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data*
Time series analysis of surface ozone monitoring records in Kemaman, Malaysia

Marzuki Ismail, Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, Tg. Azmina Ibrahim, Ahmad Makmon Abdullah

Sains Malaysiana, 2011;40:1179-1186.

Time series analysis and forecasting has become a major tool in many applications in air pollution and environmental management fields. Among the most effective approaches for analyzing time series data is the model introduced by Box and Jenkins, ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average). In this study we used Box-Jenkins methodology to build ARIMA model for monthly ozone data taken from an Automatic Air Quality Monitoring System in Kemaman station for the period from 1996 to 2007 with a total of 144 readings. Parametric seasonally adjusted ARIMA (0,1,1) (1,1,2)12 model was successfully applied to predict the long-term trend of ozone concentration. The detection of a steady statistical significant upward trend for ozone concentration in Kemaman is quite alarming. This is likely due to sources of ozone precursors related to industrial activities from nearby areas and the increase in road traffic volume.

Matched MeSH terms: Air Pollution

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links