This study was carried out to determine the air quality in the mixed residential and industrial areas of Nilai, Negeri Sembilan based on the concentrations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) gases as well as noise levels. Samplings were carried out for a total period of four days comprising two working and Monon-working days for each station from October 2004 until January 2005. Air Pollution Index (API) values showed that the air quality in these stations was moderately good. Secondary data were collected for PM10 The average concentration values of SO2 CO, NO2 and 03 were 0.024+0.021, 3.782±1.033, 0.0I3±0.009 and 0.026±0.008 ppm respectively. The results also showed that the concentrations of the pollutants were below their respective maximum permissible values stipulated by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE). Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) of the pollutant levels between working days and non-working days. However, there were strong positive correlations between ozone gas and nitrogen dioxide levels (r=0.447, p<0.0l). There were a/so strong positive correlations between the concentration of co and the number of vehicles passing through (r= O. 690, p<0.0l). This study showed that the NO2 parameter was 92.35% close to the maximum permissible value set by the DOE. This could be due to anthropogenic activities. The noise levels recorded in this area were above the permissible limits set by the DOE.
This paper reports on a new record of the itch moth from the family Lymantriidae, Toxoproctis hemibathes (Swinhoe), for Peninsular Malaysia. The islands of Sumatera and Borneo are known to be within the geographical range of Lymantriidae, their habitat preference being the wetland and coastal forests. Our study showed that this species can also erupt in large numbers in specific locations in the southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia and thus, our finding is considered a new record for T. hemibathes (Swinhoe). This specimens were collected using portable ultra violet (UV) light trap during a population outbreak of this species in the Labis District of Johore.
LUSI (Lumpur“mud”-Sidoarjo) is the mud volcanic which was initiated by the failed gas drilling exploration activities
carried out near an urban area. The evaluation of the LUSI mud volcanic emission and its dried mud effects on air pollution
and human health was carried out from 2011 to 2012. The concentrations of particulate matter (PM2
.
5
), hazardous
gases (H2
S, SO2
, NO2
), volatile organic compounds (VOC): Including total hydrocarbons (THC)), toluene (C6
H5
CH3
) and
benzene (C6
H6
) as well as heavy metals (Pb, Cr and Cd) were measured following standard methods. The results showed
that the average concentration of PM2.5 ranged from 24.0-399.9 μg/m3
, H2
S: 1.53-2.92 ppm; SO2
: 0.021-1.321 ppm and
NO2
: 0.007-0.076 ppm. The VOC included total hydrocarbons from 0.57-0.96 ppm, toluene 0.33-0.92 ppm and benzene
0.33-0.40 ppm. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations were as follows: Pb 2.6-37.34 μg/m3
; Cr 0.14-12.8 μg/m3
and
Cd 0.78-4.16 μg/m3
. LUSI contributed to increased air pollution primarily through H2
S, SO2 and PM2.5. The Air Quality
Index (AQI) of PM2.5 (164-217) and SO2
(235-291) showed that the air quality at the disaster area was ‘very unhealthy’.
Backward trajectories indicated that the wind direction may have had an impact on the air pollution load.
The Sidoarjo mud is the first visible phenomenon of a mud volcano that occurs in a human settlement and which is
subsequently channelled into a river. Clay, aluminium and iron were reported to be the dominant contaminants that could
possibly come into contact with and accumulate on the surface of local fish and initiate alteration in scale microstructure.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of water body contamination in the Sidoarjo mud by evaluating the
chromatophore density and microstructure deformation of fish scales that act as biomarkers. Scale samples were
obtained from caged Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fish that were placed downstream and upstream
of the Sidoarjo mud spillway pipes. With respect to melanophore density, it was found that the scales of fish exposed in
the downstream section were significantly lower in chromatophores (<50 chr/mm²) than the control scales in fish from
the upstream station (>100 chr/mm²). This study suggested that the density of chromatophores was closely related to
the concentration of total suspended solids (r = 0.69), which was possibly enhanced by iron (r = 0.56). Using scanning
electron microscopy analysis, some deformation, i.e. irregularity of spherule shape and increasing pits in the space
between ridges, were observed.
This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of cypermethrin in total suspended particulate in air in several farming areas of Cameron Highlands. Samples of total suspended particulate were collected using a high volume air sampler (Model Graseby) from six different sampling sites around Cameron Highlands. Laboratory analysis of total suspended particulate was conducted by the standard method. High dosages of cypermethrin were used by farmers in the dry season. Results of the study showed that the concentrations of cypermethrin in total suspended particulate in the air samples were higher during the dry season (May-July 2004) compared to the rainy season (September-October 2004). There was a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of cypermethrin and total suspended particulate (p<0.05).