Introduction The definition of air pollution simply means when there is an emission of impurities to the air for an e.

g emission of black smoke, dust, gaseous, heavy metals to the atmosphere. Impurities or pollutant is where the substance present in concentration which cause harm or exceed an environmental quality standard. Sources of air pollution Naturally there are many sources of air pollution such as through forest fire and eruption of volcano. This means earth already have its own source of air pollution. Haze caused by the two natural catorosphy often occur in Malaysia. It has been an ongoing problem in Malaysia and the rest of the South East Asia countries. The haze was at its worst on August 2005 in Malaysia and was the worst ever since its last hit in Malaysia in September 1997. Beside natural sources there are many sources of air pollution in Malaysia such as mobile sources, stationary sources and open burning sources. But for the past 5 years, emissions from mobile sources have been the major source of air pollution, contributing to at least 70%-75% of the total air pollution. Emissions from stationary sources generally have contributed 20%-25% to the air pollution while open burning and forest fires have contributed approximately 3%-5% (Department of Environment, 2010) 1.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution_in_Malaysia)

Sources of Air Pollution in Malaysia

motor vehicles power plant industial open burning or forest fire

Today the modern society is relying thoroughly on motor vehicles for mobility. Mobile sources, which include motor vehicles such as personal cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles are the main contributor to air pollutions. Motor vehicle

emission is currently contributing 70 percent of the total emissions in the urban area. Motor vehicle produces emission that pollutes the atmosphere and diesel vehicles are the main source of street level pollution. The exhaust gases, which are discharged from the diesel engine, contain several constituents that are harmful to human health and to the environment. Exhaust

emissions are generated by the fuel-air mixture burning in internal combustion engines, both petrol-powered and diesel powered. Emissions are also produced by fuel

evaporation within the vehicle when it is stopped. The constituents of vehicular emission vary depending on the fuel type and individual vehicle operating characteristics. The bulk of vehicular emissions are

composed of water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen (in unconsumed air) Mean while, there are also other pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, unburned fuel and particulate matter in smaller quantities as well. The table (Table 1b)

below identifies the most important gases and solids found in exhaust emissions that are cause for concern. Table 1b : Pollutants found in vehicle emissions

Greenhouse and Topospheric Gases

Air Toxics

Solids/Liquids

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) A green house gas, produced by complete combustion

Hydrocarbons(HC) Derived from unburned fuel during incomplete combustion, additionally Volatile Organic

Particulate matter (PM) soot and smoke (microscopically suspended particles primarily arising from carbon, condensed mater vapor and soluble (HCs) produced by internal combustion (notably diesel)

Carbon Monoxide (CO) A toxic by product of incomplete combustion

Compounds (VOCs) arising from fuel evaporative emissions,

Nitrogen Oxides (NO x) Also a greenhouse gas, which is formed by the interaction between oxygen

these may include benzene, toluene, xylene, 1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. Subsequent

engines.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2) Which contributes to the formation of acid rain, dependent upon sulfur content of fuel (typically low for cars and trucks)

reaction in sunlight creates smog and other forms of air pollutions.

In year 2004, 14 million motor vehicles have been registered to be use in Malaysia which the amount has doubled compared a decade ago. The amount of motor vehicle usage will keep increasing in parallel with the rapid development of the nation. Our country, Malaysia has transformed itself from an agricultural country to an industrial country ever since late 1970s, not wanting to be left behind. Most of the industrial zones is being set up in forestland and uninhabited areas. For an example the industrial zone in Shah Alam, Selangor is one the most highly populated area as well as the most highly polluted area in the country (see table 1a). In the other hand, industrialization resulted in rapid development of the nation. Today, almost 8 in every 10 people in Malaysia owns a car. This has contributed to the overwhelming increase of the motor vehicle on Malaysian roads. Air emission emitted by these industrial

processes and the increasing amount of motor vehicles has lent a big hand in the pollution.

An air quality management program is crucially needed to curb motor vehicle pollution. To tackle emissions from motor vehicles, the Malaysian government has to embarked on a comprehensive motor vehicle emission control programme.

Strategies to control mobile sources (motor vehicles) Significant first steps towards implementing Malaysias Clean Air Plan was achieved in 1996 with the approval of two regulation that were designed to reduce emission from mobile sources. The Environmental Quality (Control of Emissions from Diesel Engines) Regulations 1996 and the Environmental Quality ( Control of Emissions from Petrol Engines) Regulations 1996 focus on prevention by controlling vehicular emissions at the manufacturing or assembly stage (Department Of Environment, 2010). The emissions standards in the new regulations have been based on the European Economics Commission on Standards. Changes in Malaysian fuel formulations, including removal of lead, addition of oxygenates and reduction in sulfur content. New environmental regulation amendments to the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) and the phase-out of leaded gasoline sales could reduce the emission.

Strategies to control stationary sources (industrial production sources)