Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter Concentrations in the Vicinity of Plastic Waste Processing Industries

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science 2020-12, Vol.616 (1), p.12015
• Main Authors: Yasina Yusuf, Sara, Rahim, Nur Alis Addiena A, Zulaikha Wazam, Wan, Naidu, Dewika, Jamian, Ruwaida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air quality; Air quality standards; Air temperature; Ambient temperature; Emission; Emissions; End of life; Granulation; Meteorological parameters; Night; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Particulates; Plastic debris; Plastics recycling; Pollutants; Recycling; Regression models; Relative humidity; Reprocessing; Residential areas; Shredding; Waste disposal; Waste recycling; Wind; Wind speed
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/616/1/012015

While plastic recycling has gained conclusive acceptance by various stakeholders as a preferable products' end-of-life management, plastic waste processing industries may contribute to serious air pollutants emission and impair human health, especially if it is in uncontrolled conditions. Apart from toxic gas pollutants, this industry may also emit significant concentration of particulates matter or dust, notably via physical (shredding, sorting, and washing) and melt (re-granulation and reprocessing) processes. Meanwhile, in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia, public anguish is increasing in recent years due to mushrooming plastic waste recycling industries in its residential area. Thus, a study was conducted to analyse the day- and night-time ambient air PMio levels and their relationship with selected meteorological parameters (ambient temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) at two different locations (Cinta Sayang Resort Villa, CSRV and Metro Specialist Hospital, HM) in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia. The mean ambient PMio levels of Cinta Sayang Resort Villa (CSRV) and Metro Specialist Hospital (HM) were found exceeding the New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard at 150 (μg/m3 (24-hours), which were 568.082 + 266.441 (μg/m3 615.046 + 355.672 (μg/m3, respectively. Distribution of PMio concentrations betwen day and night-time were found to be statistically insignificant at both sites. Meteorological parameters have also contributed to the trend of PMio concentrations at both sites especially at HM. Inverse correlation with PMio at CSRV was explained by the absence of moisture (or rain) at the site while the positive correlation observed at HM was due to the hot temperature-strong wind association at the site. Temperature was found to be the manipulating factor for PMio at HM, via linear regression model developed at PMouth = - 4352.426 + 170.557 x Th with F(1, 8) = 15.224 at p < .005, accounting for 65.6% of the variation Thus, proper attention should be given to the particulates matter emitted in Sungai Petani, believed to be influenced by the uncontrolled emission from the plastic recycling industries.