Geographical predictors of particulate matter <10µm (PM₁₀) at schools in Meru and Puncak Alam based on satellite maps / Nur Adlina Sahafudin

Introduction: Indoor air quality is the air inside and around the building and pollutant interest in this study is Particulate matter <10 µm (PM₁₀). Particulate matter is known as particle pollution and it is the total solid and liquid that are suspended in air. It is hazardous to the human health where it can directly emitted or indirectly formed. Objective: The objective of the study is to measure the particulate matter <10 µm (PM₁₀) present in the classroom and relate it to geographical predictors derived from satellite images. Methodology: This study was conducted at 10 different schools in Meru and Puncak Alam, Selangor. 2 classes were randomly selected to measure PM₁₀ by using calibrated Dust Trak (TSI). The equipment was placed approximately 1m from the wall and 1.5m from the floor of the classes and the measurement was take for 5 hours. The distance of the sampling location to the main road and residential and green area that covered within 500m radius from the sampling location was measured that derived from the satellite images. Result: The average PM₁₀ concentration of all schools are within the recommended value where the highest is from SKSB (0.176 mg/m³) and the lowest from SK1JM (0.017 mg/m³). It is found that type of board have an effect on concentration of PM₁₀ where white board have higher effect on concentration of PM₁₀ compare to chalk board. The scores for chalk board (M = 0.051, SD = 0.240) and white board (M = 0.066, SD = 0.032) conditions; t (598) = -6.815, p = 0.001. There had a correlation between PM₁₀ and distance of sampling location to the main road, r = 0.640, n = 600, p = 0.023. There also had a correlation between PM₁₀ and number of windows in the classes, r = -0.659, n = 600, p = 0.019. Conclusion: As the conclusion, there was a significant between PM₁₀ and distance of sampling location to the main road and number of windows existed in the classrooms. Type of board used in the classrooms give the effect on concentration of PM₁₀ and white board have higher effect on the mass concentration compare to chalk board.