Introduction

Air pollution occurs due to gases, dust particles, fumes (or smoke) or odours are
bringing in into the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, animals and plant.
This is because the air becomes dirty contaminated. Pollutants means chemicals found at high
enough levels in the environment to cause harm to people or other organisms. There are two
types of pollutants which are primary pollutant and secondary pollutants. Primary pollutants
are those gases or particles that are pumped into the air to make it unclean. This is includes
carbon monoxide from automobile (cars) exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of
coal. Secondary pollutants occur when pollutants in the air mix up in a chemical reaction,
they form an even more dangerous chemical. The example of secondary pollutant is a
photochemical smog .
The industrial revolution brought with it technological progress such as discovery
of oil and its virtually universal use throughout different industries. Technological progress
facilitated by super efficiency of capitalist business practices had probably become one of the
main causes of serious deterioration of natural resources. Environmental pollution is a
problem

both

in developed and developing

countries.

Factors

such

as

population

growth and urbanization invariably place greater demands on the planet and stretch the use of
natural resources to the maximum.
Nowadays, the air pollution in Malaysia became worst with the tragedy of haze
that can affect to the human health and the environment. Haze is caused when sunlight come
across tiny pollution particles in the air. Some light is absorbed by particles. Other light is
scattered away before it reaches an observer. More pollutants mean more absorption and

scattering of light, which reduce the clarity and colour of what we see. Haze reduces how far
and how well you can see the view.
This assignment will discuss about source of air pollution causes, effects, air pollution
prevention, monitoring and solution.

Literature Review
There are many bad impacts from air pollution that can be occurring such as haze.
Haze is an air-borne mixture of pollutants that includes soot particles, carbon dioxide and
other toxic gases. Haze pollution affects several Southeast Asian countries on a regular basis,
notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and to a lesser extent Thailand, Vietnam
and the Philippines. The condition is largely caused by the burning of large tracts of forested
land in Indonesia. It is because people are opening new agriculture areas like oil palm
(Spykerman, et. al). Indonesia has investigated more than 100 firms for blazes found on their
land but most of them who are responsible for the fires have stayed silent. This is make even
more difficult for Indonesia to resolve this problem.
In Malaysia , according to the Department of Environment (DOE) website, Port Klang
recorded the worst API at 175 followed by Shah Alam (154), Kuala Selangor (140), Batu
Muda, Kuala Lumpur (132), Petaling Jaya (132) and Banting (130) (Avineshwaran, 2015).
Because of this, there are many schools has been closed due to higher Air Pollutant Index
(API). Children cannot survived with the air surrounding due to the immune system is still
immature. According to the Dr. Biju , Young children, especially those with underlying lung
or heart conditions, should minimise prolonged outdoor activity at PSI levels above 100 and

avoid outdoor activity if PSI levels exceed 100( Chandra, 2015) . So, the government made
the decision to close the schools based on the high API.
Air quality in Malaysia in terms of human health and impacts and implications are
categorised as follow under the API in Malaysia. The concentration level of air at 0-50 ppm
is good, 51- 100 ppm is moderate, 101-200 ppm is unhealthy, 201 300 ppm is very
unhealthy and more than 300 ppm is hazardous. The haze in Malaysia is continued in a long
duration. According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan
Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the winds from South China Sea would be stronger and make the
direction of the smog will change to the other places. But recently the wind pattern changed
from strong to low pressure, due to that, the haze still affecting some of the places in
Malaysia (Bloomberg, 2015).

Content
There are many substances in the air which may impair the health of plants and
animals. The compositions of air are mainly of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (16%) and other gas
(1%). There are two types of pollutant which are primary pollutant and secondary pollutant.
Primary pollutants are directly emitted from a process, such as ash from volcanic eruption.
Secondary pollutants is not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary
pollutants react or interact. There are five primary sources that contribute to air pollution
which are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), particulate matter
(PM10) and sulphur dioxide (SO3).
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and at high concentration, a
poisonous gas. It comes from fuel combustion of vehicle and engines. CO will reduces the

amount of oxygen reaching the bodys organ and tissues, aggravates heart disease, resulting
in chest pain and other symptoms. At high levels of exposure, CO can be poisonous even for
healthy people.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish brown, highly reactive gas that is formed in the
ambient air through the oxidation of nitrogen monoxide. It comes fuel combustion which
comprise of electric utilities, big industrial boilers, vehicles and also wood burning. It worsen
lung diseases leading to respiratory symptoms, increased susceptibility to respiratory
infection. Nitrogen oxides also react in the air to form ground level ozone and fine particle
pollution, both of which are associated with adverse health impacts.
Besides that, the sources that contribute to air pollution is ozone (O 3). Ozone is blue
in colour and has a strong odor. Environmental scientists have classified O 3 into two
categories good ozone and bad ozone. Bad ozone is also known as Tropospheric ozone, or
ground level ozone. This gas is found in the troposphere, the layer that forms the immediate
atmosphere. Bad ozone does not exist naturally. Human activities cause chemical reactions
between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Bad ozone came
from when there is a reaction of chemicals such as those found in cars, power plant and
factory emissions in the presence of sunlight. The bad effect is it will decrease lung function
and causes respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, and also makes
asthma and other lung diseases get worse.
Particulate matter (PM) is measured as smoke and dust. PM10 is the fraction of
suspended particles 10 micrometers in diameter and smaller that will enter the nasal cavity.
PM2.5 has a maximum particle size of 2.5 m and will enter the bronchies and lungs. This
source of pollutant is formed by chemical reactions, fuel combustion for example burning
coal, wood and diesel. Furthermore, the industrial processes, farming (plowing, field burning)

and unpaved roads or durimg road constructions. The effect for short-term exposures can
worsen heart or lung diseases and cause respiratory problems. Long-term exposures can
cause heart or lung disease and sometimes premature deaths.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless, pungent, irritating, water-soluble reactive gas.
SO2 comes from fuel combustion (especially high-sulfur coal), electric utilities and industrial
processes as well as natural occurances like volcanoes. The effect will occur is aggravates
asthma and makes breathing difficult. It also contributes to particle formation with associated
health effects.

Causes of air pollutant

Air pollution can produced from both human and natural actions. Natural events that pollute
the air include forest fires, volcanic eruptions, wind erosion, pollen dispersal, evaporation of
organic compounds and natural radioactivity. Pollution from natural occurrences are not very
often.
1. Emission from industries and manufacturing activities.
In industrial areas, for factory there are chimney erected high into the air, with lots of
smoke and fumes coming out of it. Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and
power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds and chemicals
into the air. Petroleum refineries also release lots of hydrocarbons into the air.
2. Burning fossil fuel
After the industrial age, transportation has become a key part of our lives. Cars and

Heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to
work. It is difficult to control because nowadays humans too depend on vehicles and
engines for transporting people, good and services. Fumes from car exhaust contain
harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and
particulates. In return, they cause great harm to people who breathe them. Lastly, the
effect is they react with environmental gases to create further toxic gases.
3. Household and farming chemicals
Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over
the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals into the air and cause
pollution. In many case, when we use these chemicals at home or offices with no or little
ventilation, we may fall ill if we breathe them.

Effects of air pollution

1. Acidification
Chemical reactions involving air pollutants can create acidic compounds which can create
acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings. Sometimes, when
an air pollutant, such as sulphuric acid combines with the water droplets that make up
clouds, the water droplets become acidic, forming acid rain. When acid rain falls over an
area, it can kill trees and harm animals, fish and other wildlife. Acid rain destroys the
leaves of plants. When acid rain infiltrates into soils, it changes the chemistry of the soil
making it unfit for many living that rely on soil as a habitat or for nutrition. Acid rain also

changes the chemistry of the lakes and streams that the rainwater flows into, harming fish
and other aquatic life.
2. Eutrophication
Rain can carry and deposit the nitrogen in some pollutants on rivers and soils. This will
adversely affect the nutrients in the soil and water bodies. This can result in algae growth
in lakes and water bodies, and make conditions for other living organism harmful.
3. Ground-level ozone
Chemical reactions involving air pollutants create a poisonous gas ozne (O 3). Gas ozone
can affect peoples health and can damage vegetation types and some animal life too.
4. Particulate matter
Air pollutants can be in the form of particulate which can be very harmful to our health.
The level of effect usually depends on the length of time of exposure, as well the kind and
concentration of chemicals and particles exposed to. Short-term effects include irritation
to the eyes, nose and throat and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and
pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea and allergic reactions. Short term air
pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with asthma and
emphysema. Long term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung
cancer, heart disease and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver or kidneys. Continual
exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or
complicate medical conditions in the elderly.

Discussion
There are many bad effects can be produced from the air pollution. We as human must
find the way how to solve this problem. Solution to solve on pollution is always a big
problem. So, the solution is can either come from government (laws) or by individual
actions. In many big cities, monitoring equipment has been installed at many points in
the city.
1. Government level
Government has introduced the green energy program to the community. Some
governments are investing in wind energy and solar energy, as well as other renewable
energy, to minimize burning of fossil fuels, which cause heavy air pollution. Besides that,
governments are forcing companies to be more responsible with their manufacturing
activities, so that even though they still cause pollution, they are a lot controlled.
Government also urges the car manufacturing companies building more energy efficient
cars, which environmentally friendly. Government held incentive programs that use
credits and special discounts to support the purchase and use of hybrid vehicles. The
advantage of hybrid car over gasoline powered car is that it runs cleaner and has better
gas mileage. A hybrid vehicle runs on twin powered engine (gasoline engine and electric
motor) that reduce fuel consumption and conserves energy.
2. Individual level
When go outside; encourage family to use the bas, train or bike and car pooling. If do
this, there will be less cars on the road and reduce the fuels. Use energy such as light,

water, boiler, kettle and fire woods wisely. This is because lots of fossil fuels are burned
to generate electricity, and so if we can cut down the use, then the amount of pollution
can be reduced. For the individual level prevention also can recycle and re-use things.
This will minimize the dependence of producing new things. Remember manufacturing
industries create a lot of pollution, so if we can re-use things like shopping plastic bags,
clothing , paper and bottles it can help.
3. Installation of devices
Gas scrubbers usually installed in the industry area for example at the boiler. They are
efficiently designed to remove gas pollutants. Often these pollutants are chemicals such as
ammonia, chlorine or sulfur compounds. Chemical Scrubbers work by dissolving or
absorbing the pollutant into the scrubbing liquid. The scrubbing liquid used will depend
on the properties of the targeted pollutant. Gas scrubber selection will depend on the
operating process characteristics and the particular pollutants that is being removed.
Effective Gas Scrubber removal efficiency is achieved by insuring the appropriate contact
time between the gas and the scrubbing liquid. The catalytic converter is designed to
convert harmful emissions, produced by an internal combustion engine, to less harmful
elements into water and carbon dioxide. This device commonly installed to exhaust
system in automobiles, they are also used on electrical generators, forklifts, mining
equipment, trucks, buses, locomotives and motorcycles. Two way catalytic converters can
allows oxidation of CO to less harmful CO 2. It also allows of unburned hydrocarbons to
carbon dioxide and water.

Conclusion
From air pollution, there are many bad effects are produced. The effects we can see is the
concentration of air pollutant in the atmosphere become increase from years to years
mostly due to anthropogenic activity by human. Recently, Malaysia is hit by haze
phenomenon has hit Malaysia and Singapore due to hot spots in Sumatera. The first factor
is under the responsibility of Indonesia. Second is a nature factor, the wind that carries the
haze to Singapore and Malaysia. Third factor are domestic factors in Malaysia, which
activities such as industry, motor vehicle and open burning contributed and make the haze
situation worst. The way haze is measured is by using an index called API. The higher the
number concentration of API, the worse the haze and it will effects to our health. People
can drink plenty of plain water and wash our faces frequently, minimise outdoor activities
and use mask that can cover the mouth and nose properly if there is a need to be outdoors.
To solve the air pollution problem, not only the role of government needed, but it needs
the support from community to make these problems are solved. The application of new
technology can also help to deal with the situations.

Recommendation
There are some recommendations that can do to prevent air pollution by develop a
formal, consistent, and publicly understood approach to granting pollution charge
investment credits for pollution control expenditures. Besides that, use PM2.5 method for
accurate air quality readings. Local environmental experts want the government to speed
up efforts to upgrade its air pollutant index (API) to include readings of fine dust
measuring 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Currently, Malaysia's air quality monitoring stations read

and measure fine dust of less than 10 microns (PM10), unlike Singapore which had used
an additional PM2.5 reading since 2014. This had resulted in a completely difference in
the API readings recorded by Singapore and neighbouring Johor, causing much confusion
among the public, with some quarters even accusing Malaysia of manipulating the
readings.

References
Avineshwaran, T. (2015, October 20). Haze: 22 areas nationwide record
unhealthy API. The Star Online. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/10/20/Haze-21-areas-unhealthy/
Bloomberg . (2015, September 30). Smoke engulfs region as Indonesia needs
years to tackle fires. The Malaysian Insider. Retrieved from
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/haze-engulfs-region-as-indonesianeeds-years-to-tackle-fires#sthash.vhz9MhLa.HgKoOYvJ.dpuf
Childrens health. (2015). Children and the haze in Singapore. Retrieved on
November 12, 2015 from
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/childrenhealth/Pages/children-and-thehaze-in-singapore.aspx
Spykerman, N. et.al (2015, October 20). No end soon to the haze. The Star
Online. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/10/20/No-endsoon-to-the-haze-SouthEast-Asia-may-suffer-for-months-as-forest-fires-spread/