Rekod Jangka Panjang Kualiti Udara di Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia

Studies on air quality were carried out in Langkawi, Kedah to determine the status and trend of air quality of this tourism island. The determination of air quality was based on several parameters such as suspended solids with diameters that were less than 10 micrometer (PMJ0) and gaseous pollutants of sulphur dioxide (SO J, nitrogen dioxide (NOX ozone (OJ and carbon monoxide (CO). The data for this study were obtained from the regular monitoring data as collected by Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ASMA) on behalf of Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) at their stations in Langkawi. Results show that the average concentration of PM](y SOv NOv and CO at all sampling stations are still below the permissible values recommended by DOE. Long-term air quality trend based on data of years 1998 to 2007 show increasing trends of suspended particulate matter as PM](). The concentrations of PM}0 and 0} however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM]fl in the atmosphere. Based on the results of the study some measures are recommended, especially to control the number of vehicles as well as improve the public transport system to ensure that the status of air quality in Langkawi is continuously protected, thus contributing to the wellbeing of communities in Langkawi.