The effect of mobile emission on ambient air quality in Perlis

Abstract

Vehicle emissions are the dominant contributing source of air pollutants today. Considering the negative impacts of vehicle emissions on our social and economic environment, extensive efforts have been made by researchers and practitioners attempting to find solutions to reduce the emissions. Furthermore, global vehicle emissions from vehicles are predicted to grow three fold by 2030 as the number of vehicles keep on expanding. This study focused on the effect of mobile emissions on ambient air quality in Perlis. With an annual increment of vehicle statistics ranging between 4% - 12% from year 1994 to the year 2015, the number of vehicles in Perlis is expected to continue growing at a steady rate. These vehicles produced nitrogen oxide (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM) and Hydrocarbon (HC) and may affect the quality of the atmospheric environment. The estimation of emission loading was conducted by using data from Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) and emission factor provided by Department of Environment Malaysia (DoE). The emission loading for CO₂ was also included in this study. Whereby, the estimation of CO₂ loading was conducted by using vehicle registration statistic from JPJ and emission factor from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines. It was found that the total emission loading from mobile sources were increased by average rate 6.1% and CO₂ loading were increased by rate 7% during year 1994 to the year 2015. The motor vehicle statistics in Perlis also suggested that the average increment of motor vehicle was 8.3%. Referring to the estimated total emission loading and CO₂ loading by the year 2020 were 1.3 x 108 and 1.0 x 108 tonnes/year respectively. Therefore, appropriate mitigation measures should be carried out to control ambient air quality and greenhouse gas effects.