Statistical analysis of PM₁₀ concentrations at different locations in Malaysia.
Malaysia has experienced several haze events since the 1980s as a consequence of the transboundary movement of air pollutants emitted from forest fires and open burning activities. Hazy episodes can result from local activities and be categorized as "localized haze". General probability distributions (i.e., gamma and log-normal) were chosen to analyze the PM(10) concentrations data at two different types of locations in Malaysia: industrial (Johor Bahru and Nilai) and residential (Kota Kinabalu and Kuantan). These areas were chosen based on their frequently high PM(10) concentration readings. The best models representing the areas were chosen based on their performance indicator values. The best distributions provided the probability of exceedances and the return period between the actual and predicted concentrations based on the threshold limit given by the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (24-h average of 150 μg/m(3)) for PM(10) concentrations. The short-term prediction for PM(10) exceedances in 14 days was obtained using the autoregressive model.
Clean Air Research Group, Environmental and Sustainable Development Section, School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Nurulilyana
N
Sansuddin
Nor Azam
NA
Ramli
Ahmad Shukri
AS
Yahaya
Noor Faizah Fitri Md
NF
Yusof
Nurul Adyani
NA
Ghazali
Wesam Ahmed Al
WA
Madhoun
D000392:Air Movements; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D003296:Cooking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005390:Fires / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008296:Malaysia; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter