Assessment and sources identification of air quality pollution in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Air quality pollution increases a research interest due to its importance in influencing weather and temperature, restricting visibility and causing harmful effects on human health. Samples of airborne particulate matter (APM) were collected weekly during the period from 2018 to 2020 at Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur. The samples were collected using a Gent stacked filter sampler in two fractions particulate matter PM 2.5 (PM 2.5 – size of particulate < 2.5 μm) and particulate matter PM 10 (PM 10 – size of particulate 2.5 – 10 μm). 100 pairs of APM samples were analysed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) for their elemental composition. The analysis result of air quality in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, for an average mass concentration of PM2.5 (26.8 μg/m 3 ) and PM10 (44.8 μg/m 3 ) were higher compared to the interim value of Malaysian ambient air quality standard 2020 (MAAQS-2020) (PM 2.5 = 15.0 μg/m 3 ; PM 10 = 40.0μg/m 3 ). The results showed the possible sources of air pollution in the Klang Valley contributed by biomass burning/smoke (31.6%), soil dust (10.3%), industries (8.4%), motor vehicles (7.1%), sea spray (6.3%) and secondary sulphate (5.5%).