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Characterisation of PM2.5-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in
Primary School Environments in Kuala Lumpur
Mohamad Firdaus bin Ismail
Supervisor: Dr. Noorlin binti Mohamad
Bachelor of Science (Analytical and Environmental Chemistry)
School of Marine and Environmental Science
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Children spend time predominantly in school. Due to their fragile immune system, they
are more vulnerable towards air pollution, which lead to school absenteeism and affect
their learning performance. Fine particulate matter i.e. PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter
≤2.5 µm) can absorb chemicals e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto
their surface. Although PAHs are primary pollutants, there are still limited information
concerning indoor exposures of PAHs in Malaysia. This study aims to characterise PAHs
bounded to PM2.5 in primary schools in Kuala Lumpur. PAHs were ultrasonically
extracted from PM2.5 and analysed by GC-MS. Mean total PAHs (∑PAHs) concentration
ranged 3.8 ngm -3 to 10.1 ngm -3 and 1.6 ngm -3 to 8.0 ngm -3 for outdoors and indoors,
respectively. Diagnostic ratio analysis showed that vehicular emission were the most
predominant sources of PAHs. Based on the health risk assessment, the level of
carcinogenic risk in all sampling points were below the guideline proposed by USEPA
(10 -6 ).
1949 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018