Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or

biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion
devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.
Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone,
nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other
diseases, which can be fatal.

(source : WHO)

Particulate matter (PM-10) is a fraction of the Total Suspended Particulate with aerodynamic
diameter less than or equal to 10m. These particles are measured in ambient air using the Tapered
Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) System. Measurements are made at seven sites by the
Malaysian Meteorological Department, namely, Petaling Jaya, Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands),
Kuching, Kuantan, Senai, Bayan Lepas and Kota Kinabalu. The average daily PM-10 level
recommended in the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines for PM-10 is 150.0 g/m3.
Concentration of PM-10 above 150.0 g/m3 in 24 hours is considered unhealthy to humans.

(source : Malaysia Meterology Department)

The Compendium of Environment Statistics (CES) presents statistics on environment for the period
2011-2015/2016

In 2015, motor vehicles was the main source contributed to emission of pollutants to the air of 2.1
million tonnes. Within the same period, the number of cumulative motor vehicles registered was
26.3 million.

(source : The Compendium of Environment Statistics, Department of Statistics malaysia)