BACHELOR OF MANAGEMENT WITH HONOURS(BIM)

MEI/2018

OUM 1103

POLLUTION IN THE CITIES OF MALAYSIA IS INCREASING

MATRICULATION NO : 961219106030001
IDENTITY CARD NO. : 961219-10-6030
TELEPHONE NO. : 011-33603980
E-MAIL : shamanya1912@gmail.com
LEARNING CENTRE : OUM,SHAH ALAM
1.0 Introduction
The goal of achieving industrial growth by the year of 2020 and the associated rapid economic
growth have started to impose costs in terms of industrial pollution and the degradation of
urban environment. Depletion of fisheries, air and water pollution and contamination by
industrial waste have become more serious in Malaysia in recent years. Among them, air
pollution is the major issue that has been affecting human health, agricultural crops, forest
species and ecosystem (Rafia Afroz. et al,2002). Moreover, the purpose of these essay is to
identify and understand regarding the air pollution including the cause, effect and possible
solution to reduce the air pollution in Malaysia.

2.0 Pollution Issue

Based on the record of Academic of Sains, Malaysia had experienced deterioration of air
quality on 15th September 2015 due to massive land and forest fires in Indonesia. Around 34
areas in the country recorded unhealthy air quality status for the 1st time in Malaysia’s history
since 1997.These issue caused closing of schools and widespread of illnesses particularly
among the elderly those with breathing difficulties.

2.1 Causes of Air Pollution

Air pollution is physical or chemical changes by natural processes or human activities that
results in air quality degradation and causes health problems (Nurul et al, 2014).Air polluted
with the presence of gases like Carbon Monoxide(CO), Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2), Sulfer Dioxide
(SO2).

In Malaysia mobile sources, stationary sources and open burning sources are major
sources of air pollution. Clean Air Asia (2006) reported that for the past five years, emission
from mobile sources (motor vehicle) has become major sources of air pollution, contributing
70-75% of total air pollution and stationary sources (20-25%) while open burning and forest
fire is 3-5%. Recent estimates of emissions in Malaysia are shown in Figure 1.1.
 Figure 1.1 Emission inventories of PM,SO2,NOx by sources in 2004(Tons)

2.1.1 Mobile sources (vehicle emission)

The large majority of today’s cars and trucks by using internal combustion engines that burn
gasoline or other fossil fuels (Ustan,2016). These vehicular engines emit gaseous oxide, nitrous
oxide and carbon monoxide which contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and can cause
irritation to respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. The
melting of the polar ice caps and the rise of sea levels are just some of the jeopardizing effects
of air pollution-induced global warming.

2.1.2 Stationary Source

Stationary source refers to factories, smoke stack of power plant, waste incinerators which
utilize fossil fuels and coals for power or heat (Air waste,1996). Most of the industries generate
hydrogen fluoride,carbon monoxide , hydrochloric acid and organic halides. Even though
beneficial, coal and fossil fuels contribute to air pollution and smog. These could effect on
plants and reduce the oxygen supply in earth.

2.1.3 Open burning and forest fire

In the case of Malaysia, activities relating to open burning have been identified to be among
the contributors of air pollution and haze phenomenon that are causing a deteriorating quality
of the atmosphere(Maizatun,2017). However, a total prohibition on open burning may not be
practicable in the context of Malaysia due to various factors including that concerning land-
use practices. In this region, the land-use systems are relying on open burning as one of the
methods of land clearing. Consequently, the ash of the burning activities can cause irritation to
eye & throat, damage to lungs and heavy metals could seep into groundwater.

2.2 Suggestion of solution

2.2.1 Government (or community) level prevention

The government should enforce the law and regulation in order to everyone to comply.
Nevertheless, government has introduced green energy, wind &solar energy and renewable
energy to minimize the burning of fossil fuels.

2.2.2 Individual Level Prevention

Encourage your family to use public transportation and sharing of vehicle to reduce to
emission. If we all do this, there will be fewer cars on road and less fumes. Recycle and re-use
things like shopping plastic bags, clothing, paper and bottles will minimize the dependence of
producing new things.

2.2.3 Control Devices

Using of control device such as scrubber, VOC abatement & electrostatic air cleaner can
minimize contaminants or remove hazardous level of toxic gases from an exhaust stream before
it is emitted into the atmosphere. For example, alternative fuels such as methanol can be used
to benefit the environment.

3.0 Conclusion

As the conclusion, cooperation from everyone is required in order to reduce the air pollution.
However, 9th Malaysia Plan has recognized the importance of public transportation and
implementation of control device to reduce the emission.

Total words:747
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