POLLUTION CONTROL & REACTION LAB

SKKC 3731

EXPERIMENT 4:
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MEASUREMENT

GROUP MEMBERS:
AUDREY THEN SIN YEE A15KK0010
DANIEL CHOO ZHI HUNG A15KK0025
JASMINE KANG SZE YIN A15KK0044
JEFFELEE SANGHUANG A15KK0045

LECTURER:
DR. NORAINI JAAFAR

DATE OF EXPERIMENT:
1 OCTOBER 2017

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGES
Cover Page 1

Table of Content 2

1.0 Abstract 3

2.0 Introduction 4

3.0 Literature Review 5

4.0 Theory 6-7

5.0 Methdology 8

6.0 Result & Data Analysis 9-10

7.0 Discussion 11

8.0 Conclusion 12

9.0 References 13

10.0 Appendix 14

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1.0 Abstract

In early days of abundant resources and minimal development pressure, little attention
was paid to growing environmental concerns in Malaysia. However, ambient air pollution is
now recognized as an important problem both nationally and worldwide. Our understanding of
the effects of air pollution that is related to our health has increased. One of the most important
part in measuring Universiti Teknologi Malaysias (UTMs) air quality is to determine the
specific parameters needed to run the experiment. The samples are collected on a filter paper
that is placed in a High Volume Air Sampler (HVS). The calculated value of the concentration
of the suspended solid in air is then compared with Malaysia Total Suspended Particle (TSP)
value. This paper review the results of the ambient air quality monitoring and studies related
to air pollution.

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2.0 Introduction

An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can cause harms to humans and the
environment. It can cause health complications such as respiratory diseases and reduce the life
expectancy of humans. Pollutants can come in many forms like solid particles, liquid droplets
or gases.

There are 2 classes of air pollutants which is primary air pollutants and secondary air
pollutants. Substances directly emitted from a process such as ash from a volcanic eruption are
known as primary pollutants. However, pollutants that are formed in the air when primary
pollutants interact are known as secondary pollutants.

This experiment is done to study the quality of the ambient air in Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM) using High Volume Air Sampler (HVS). This is so that we can compare the
concentration of suspended solid in UTMs ambient air with the standard Malaysia Total
Suspended Particle (TSP) value which is 260 g/m3. Apart from that, we can also determine
whether the quality of the ambient air in UTM is in a safe level. The concentration of suspended
particle is usually expressed as g/m3 which is the mass of suspended particles per meter cube
of volume air. The value of the TSP is an indicator to the quality of the ambient air in UTM.

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3.0 Literature Review

Recently, the New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard was established in order to
replace the older Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Guideline that has been used since 1989. The
New Ambient Air Quality Standard adopts 6 air pollutants criteria that include 5 existing air
pollutants which is particulate matter with the size of less than 10 micron, particulate matter
with the size of less than 2.5 micron, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground level ozone and
carbon monoxide.

Outdoor air pollution is also considered a major problem in developing countries. The
World Health Organization found that the air quality in large cities in many developing
countries are exposed to ambient concentrations of air pollutants well above the World Health
Organization guidelines for air quality.

Haze is a common occurrence in Malaysia. Haze consists of sufficient smoke, dust,

moisture and vapour suspended in air to impair vision. Haze pollution is considered
transboundary if its density and extent is so great at source that it remains at measurable levels
after crossing into another countrys air space. The highest Air Pollution Index ever recorded
was in 762 in Muar due to the 2013 transboundary pollution. Other areas such as Johor, Melaka
and Negeri Sembilan was also affected.

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4.0 Theory
In order to determine the safety level of air pollution, usually the data obtained from the
experiment will compare with the Total Suspended Particle (TSP) standard in Malaysia.
Malaysian ambient air quality standard identifies individual pollutants and the concentrations
at which they could be harmful to the public health and the environment. In this experiment,
suspended solid particle is measured by using a High-Volume Air Sampler (HVS). HVS is a
device for sampling large volumes of an atmosphere for collecting particulate matter through
filtration. It consists of a high-capacity blower and a filter to collect suspended particles. Large
volumes of air are drawn through a filter by a pump. This procedure is usually done
continuously for 24 hours but for this experiment only takes 4 hours. The equation used for
this experiment is as follow.

106 (2 1 )
=

Where,

2 = Weight of filter paper after sampling, g

1 = Weight of filter paper before sampling, g

= Volumetric flow rate inlet air HVS, 3 /

= Time for sampling,

106 = Conversion from g to ug

If the data value obtained is higher than the standard indicates that the quality of the ambient
air in UTM is at high risk, means there is air pollution. There are possible of damage to human
health, plant and animal life due to the air pollution. Table 1 shows the Malaysia Air Quality
Guidelines according to the pollutants in the ambient air.

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Source: (Malaysia Quality Report 2013, 2013)

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5.0 Methodology

Firstly, we weighted the filter paper, W1 3 times to get the average weight of the filter
paper. Next, the filter paper was placed inside the HVS. The lid of the HVS was then closed
and the pump was turned on. The time (2.55pm) when the pump was turned on was recorded.
The air flow rate of the pump was also recorded. The HVS was left for 4 hours with the pump
on. 4 hours later at 6.55pm, the pump was turned off and the filter paper was collected. The
next day, the filter paper was brought to the lab and it was weighted 3 times to get the average
weight, W2.

For this experiment, we assume that the average concentration of suspended solid in air
for every 4 hours is consistent throughout the day. Due to limited equipment, the filter paper
was only left to be inside of the HVS for 4 hours instead of the standard 24 hours.

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6.0 Result & Data Analysis

Weight of filter paper before sampling (g)

Weight 1 = 2.7880 g

Weight 2 = 2.7876 g

Weight 3 = 2.7874 g

Average weight, W1 = (2.7880 + 2.7876 + 2.7874) / 3

= 2.7877 g

Weight of filter paper after sampling (g)

Weight 1 = 2.8083 g

Weight 2 = 2.8074 g

Weight 3 = 2.8074 g

Average weight, W2 = (2.8083 + 2.8074 + 2.8074) / 3

= 2.8077 g

Volumetric flow rate inlet air HVS, Q = 75 m3/hour

Time for sampling, t = 4 hours

106 (2 1 )
=

Concentration of suspended solid in air = (106 (2.8077-2.7877) g) / (75 m3/hour x 4 hours)

= 66.6667 g/m3 for 4 hours

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We assume that the average concentration of suspended solid in air for every 4 hours is
consistent throughout the day. Therefore the concentration of suspended solid in air for 24
hours should be:

Concentration of suspended solid in air for 24 hours = Concentration of suspended solid in

air for 4 hours x 6

= 66.6667 g/m3 x 6

= 400.0002 g/m3

Percentage concentration of suspended particle values obtained from the standard value
for 24 hours

= Concentration of suspended solid in air x 100

Total suspended particle

= [400.0002 /260] x 100%

= 153.85 %

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7.0 Discussion

From the experiment conducted, the concentration of suspended solid in ambient air
around pollution control laboratory is 400.0002 g/m3 if it is conducted for 24 hours. The value
obtained from this experiment is higher compare to the total suspended particle standard for
Malaysia which is 260 g/m3 for 24 hours. There are too many different chemical substances
that can contribute to air pollution. Among the many types of air pollutants are nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxides, and organic compounds that evaporate and enter the atmosphere. Air
pollutants commonly come from both natural and human. Humans contribute substantially
more to the air pollution problem other than anything else.

The results might have some errors because:

a) The time to conduct the experiment is only 4 hours. Shorter time will not give the
accurate result.
b) The time to conduct the experiment is only during daytime.
c) The result may not be accurate because the experiment is only done once. The
experiment is not repeated.
d) The weight of filter paper after sampling may be decrease during the transferring of
the filter paper from HVS to the weighing scale as some of the pollutant particles may
drop.

As such, some recommendations were proposed in order to improve the accuracy of the result:
a) The experiment must be conducted longer for example 24 hours
b) The experiment is repeated for at least 5 times to get the average result.
c) Put the weighing scale as close as possible to the HVS. This means that it can decrease
the time taken when transferring the filter paper.

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8.0 Conclusion

As a conclusion, the concentration of suspended solid in ambient air around pollution

control laboratory is 400.0002 g/m3 for 24 hours. The value obtained is higher than the total
suspended particle standard for Malaysia (260 g/m3) by 153.85 %. it can be concluded that
the air around the pollution control laboratory were very polluted.

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9.0 References

J. McLaren, I. W. (2015). The impact of communicating information about air pollution

events on. Science of the Total Environment 538, 478491.

(2013). Malaysia Quality Report 2013. Department of Environmental, Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environment.

Noor Zaitun Yahaya, A. F. (2006). The Analysis of Total Suspended Particles (TSP) emitted
by the motor. Natural Resources Engineering & Technology, 322-329.

Rafia Afroz, M. N. (2003). Review of air pollution and health impacts in Malaysia.
Environmental Research 92, 7177.

William T. "Jerry" Winberry, J. E. (1999). Compendium of Methods. United State: Center for
Environmental Research Information.

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10.0 Appendix

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