MONTHLY AIR QUALITY BULLETIN (APRIL 2008)

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM-10) 

Particulate matter (PM10) is a fraction of the Total Suspended Particulate with aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10µm. These particles are measured in the ambient air using the Tapered Element Oscillating Mass (TEOM) Monitor. Measurements are made at seven sites in the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s Air Pollution Monitoring Network, namely Bayan Lepas, Tanah Rata, Petaling Jaya, Kuantan, Senai, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.  

Bayan Lepas

 

The PM-10 concentration at Bayan Lepas did not vary much throughout the month of April. This could be due to the above average rainfall received during the inter-monsoon season. The highest reading for the month was 31.7µg/m3 on the 21st of April. The mean PM-10 concentration at Bayan Lepas for April 2008 was 22.9µg/m3.

 

 

Tanah Rata

Tanah Rata showed lower PM-10 concentration compared to the other six stations. At an elevation of about 1500 m above sea level in fairly clean environment, the PM-10 concentration for April 2008 was below 20µg/m3 throughout the month. The mean PM-10 concentration at Tanah Rata for this month was about 11.4µg/m3.

 

Petaling Jaya

 

In Petaling Jaya, the daily PM-10 concentrations fluctuated between 24µg/m3 and 55µg/m3. The highest value of 54.9µg/m3 was recorded on the 6th of April. The mean PM-10 concentration for this month was 38.7µg/m3.  Due to a technical fault, there were no readings for the 7th and 8th of April.

 

 

Kuantan

 

The monthly mean of PM-10 concentration in Kuantan for April 2008 was 22.9µg/m3. Daily fluctuations were between 16µg/m3 and 36µg/m3. Similar to Bayan Lepas and Tanah Rata, the PM-10 concentration fluctuated normally  throughout the month.

 

 

Senai

In Senai the daily PM-10 concentration was below 50µg/m3. The readings fluctuated between 15µg/m3 and 43µg/m3.  The highest recorded was 42.7µg/m3. The average mass concentration of PM-10 at Senai for this month was 28.9µg/m3.

 

  

Kuching

The PM-10 level in Kuching fluctuated between 15µg/m3 and 45µg/m3 in April 2008. The highest value recorded was 44.9µg/m3 and the monthly mean for April 2008 was 28.9µg/m3.  

 

 

 

Kota Kinabalu

In general, the PM-10 concentration at Kota Kinabalu was below 50µg/m3 throughout the month. The mean PM-10 concentration for this month was 28.3µg/m3.  Similar to Kuching, the PM-10 concentration fluctuated regularly.