Perceptions about outdoor air quality during work-related commute among working individuals in Selangor, Malaysia

Selangor is known for its poor air quality that causes in increasing of health effects such as Asthma. This study was aimed to assess the public perceptions on the air quality during commute to workplace among working individuals. The higher air population is caused by the increasing in urbanization and industrialization that happening nowadays. These conditions also promote to the high number of vehicles on the road and all these activities that come from the sources emitted hazardous air pollutants. A survey was conducted with employed people in Selangor (n=197) to understand attitudes, perceptions of air quality and behaviours related to air pollution. From the results, people with higher education levels were more worried on the air quality. It was found that from public perspective that the air quality was poor and unhealthy to certain groups. Association between public perceptions with transportations used and how frequent the participants check on air quality was analysed. Public preferred to work indoor and used mass media as the sources of information of air quality. Based on the results, there was no correlation between some of the variables. Thus, further study need to be done on the perceptions and behaviours of air quality among working individuals.