Air pollution assessment in southern peninsular Malaysia using environmetric analysis; [Penilaian Pencemaran Udara Di Selatan Semenanjung Malaysia Menggunakan Analisis Environmetrik]

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences
• Main Author: Malek H.A.; Jalaluddin N.N.N.; Hasan S.N.S.; Hassni U.A.; Malek I.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85121337772&partnerID=40&md5=b86920f7288aeba806dcec09f354186b

Air pollution can be defined as the presence of toxic chemicals at levels that pose a health risk. Air quality plays an important role as polluted air could affect the environment. The air pollution problem has become a major issue in Malaysia for the past two decades. Thus, this study focused on the air pollution assessment in Southern Peninsular Malaysia based on the data obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia. Six major air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, CO and O3) in five monitoring stations were measured hourly for the year 2018. Factor Analysis was used to identify the most dominant air pollutant to the air quality. It is found that PM10 and PM2.5 were the most dominant air pollutants that contribute to the degradation of the air quality in Southern Peninsular Malaysia due to industrial activities. It is hoped that this study could help the authorities in controlling air pollution by determining the most dominant air pollutants involved. © 2021, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences. All rights reserved.