Effect of indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) associated in Petaling Jaya LRTs

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine indoor PM2.5 concentration, which was measured at indoor settings in three different Light Rail Transits in Petaling Jaya. The selected locations were LRT Kelana Jaya, LRT Ara Damansara and LRT Glenmarie. This study focused on determining the indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) associated with samples collected from the three LRTs using Model 8532 DustTrakTM II Aerosol Monitor (DustTrak) at each LRT from 19:00 to 21:00 three times in a month from July till October 2018. Total of 33 mass concentrations were collected and 176 respondents were recorded from questionnaire given with information on health which was adapted from The American Thoracic Society, "Questionnaire ATS-DLD-C WHO (1982)". Results were analyzed and compared with US Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards and guidelines. LRT Glenmarie (37.64 μg/m3) was determined higher than US EPA (35 μg/m3) and WHO (25 μg/m3). More than 50% of the survey respondents were affected from the respiratory disease. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the ventilation in LRTs in order to provide a healthier indoor environment.