HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

Assignment 2 - Air and Noise Monitoring (Group 4)

SENURA SENEVIRATNE (4230485)

MOHAMED MURTAZA (4314077)
SYLWESTER AZAREL CHONG (743281X)
AWANGKU HARIZ BIN AWANG MUDA SABTU (7440375)
KHALIL IBRAHIM HUSSAINI (4241606)

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
26th May 2016
Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

Contents
1 Aim 2

2 Objectives 2

3 Procedure 2
3.1 General procedure for on-site air and noise monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.2 Detailed procedure for air and noise monitoring using the equipment . . . . . . 3
3.2.1 Particulate air monitoring equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.2.2 Air quality monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2.3 Sound meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4 Results 5
4.1 Air monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.2 Sound monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

5 Analysis and Discussion 9

5.1 Air quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.2 Noise quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

6 Conclusion 10

Appendix A Malaysian ambient air quality guidelines 12

Appendix B Schedule of permissible sound levels 13

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

1 Aim
The aim of the field monitoring is to monitor the air and noise quality within the monitoring
area peak and off-peak hours with industrial as well as traffic activities as the main pollutant
source.

2 Objectives
1. To conduct on-site monitoring and assessment of the ambient air quality conditions and
noise.

2. To determine the air quality and noise level based on limits provided in relevant guidelines.

3. To compare the on-site air quality and noise level between peak and off-peak industrial
hours.

3 Procedure

Table 1: Summary of monitoring locations.

Locations Source
1 X-fab
2 Taiyoden
3 HGST
4 LINDE
5 Jalan Usaha Jaya
6 Jalan Setia Raja
7 Lorong Setia Raja 14
8 Jalan Canna

3.1 General procedure for on-site air and noise monitoring

1. The field monitoring was conducted for the peak industrial and traffic hour session from
10.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m.

2. All the 8 monitoring locations were covered.

3. At 10.00 a.m, we commenced monitoring at Samajaya/X-Fab , followed by Samajaya/Tayo

and then subsequent locations.

4. At each monitoring location, the monitoring the air and noise quality readings to approx-
imately 5 minutes.

5. Only one set of readings were collected from each monitoring location.

6. Steps 1 to 5 were repeated for the off-peak session monitoring from 3.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

Figure 1: Map of monitoring locations.

3.2 Detailed procedure for air and noise monitoring using the equip-
ment
3.2.1 Particulate air monitoring equipment
1. For the 8 monitoring locations, the particulate air monitoring equipment was used to
measure the on-site TSP (dust).

2. The equipment was turned on by pressing the POWER 1 button at the monitoring
location.

3. The monitoring range was set between 0 to 20 by pressing the RANGE 0 - 20 button
for the measurement of low range dust level.

4. Before the readings was taken, the equipment was then allowed to stabilise.

5. The readings on the equipment were then taken.

6. The equipment was then turned off by pressing the 0 button before proceeding to the
next monitoring location.

7. Steps 1 to 6 were repeated for the subsequent 7 monitoring locations.

8. Steps 1 to 7 were then carried out again for the off-peak session in the evening.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

3.2.2 Air quality monitor

1. The air quality monitor was used to measure the on-site ambient air particulates for the
8 monitoring locations for properties such as CO2 , CO, NO2 , SO2 , CH4 , temperature and
relative humidity.

2. The equipment was turned on by pressing the MENU button and then allowed to
stabilize waiting for it to load from 0 to 100%.

3. The measurement readings of the ambient air parameters were displayed on the screen of
the equipment were then displayed after the equipment stabilized.

4. The equipment was held away from the operator to reduce the amount of exhalants
excreted by the operator through breathing during the monitoring.

5. The equipment was switched off by pressing the MENU button again after recording
the required parameters.

6. Steps 1 to 6 were repeated for the subsequent 7 monitoring locations.

7. Steps 1 to 7 where then carried out again for the off peak session in the evening.

3.2.3 Sound meter

1. The sound meter was used to measure the noise level for the 8 monitoring locations

2. At the monitoring location, the equipment was turned on by pressing the button.

3. The readings on the equipment were taken once.

4. The measurements were taken within a period of 5 minutes during the monitoring.

5. The equipment was turned on by pressing the button after recording the noise levels.

6. Steps 1 to 5 were repeated for the subsequent 7 monitoring locations.

7. Steps 1 to 6 where then carried out again for the off peak session in the evening.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

4 Results
Industrial operations is the main source of air and noise pollution in the monitoring area. The
Malaysian ambient air quality guidelines is the basis of determination of the air quality of all
the monitoring locations. CO, NO2 and SO2 are all compared with the provided limit with an
average time of an hour. TSP is compared with the provided limit with an average time of an
24 hours. The planning guidelines for environmental noise limits and control was used as the
basis of determination of noise quality of all the monitoring locations.
Note:
indicates that the value is within the limit suggested by the guideline;
x indicates that the limit suggested by the guideline is exceeded.

4.1 Air monitoring

Table 2: Recorded monitoring results for location 1 (Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines
2015).
Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak industrial hour Off-Peak industrial hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4980 x 4690 x
CO2 ppm - 186 - 180 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.2 x 0.8 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 36 - 33 -
Relative humidity % - 55 - 72 -

Table 3: Recorded monitoring results for location 2.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak industrial hour Off-Peak industrial hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4200 x 4140 x
CO2 ppm - 355 - 312 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.5 x 1.2 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 34.3 - 32 -
Relative humidity % - 61 - 71 -

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

Table 4: Recorded monitoring results for location 3.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak industrial hour Off-Peak industrial hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4750 x 4420 x
CO2 ppm - 437 - 417 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.3 x 1.1 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 34.6 - 32 -
Relative humidity % - 59 - 70 -

Table 5: Recorded monitoring results for location 4.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak industrial hour Off-Peak industrial hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4840 x 4650 x
CO2 ppm - 296 - 271 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.6 x 1.3 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 33.6 - 32 -
Relative humidity % - 66 - 71 -

Table 6: Recorded monitoring results for location 5.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak traffic hour Off-Peak traffic hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4800 x 4350 x
CO2 ppm - 292 - 207 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 0.6 x 0.3 x
CH4 % - 0.1 - 0 -

Temperature C - 32.8 - 32.1 -
Relative humidity % - 65 - 74 -

Table 7: Recorded monitoring results for location 6.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak traffic hour Off-Peak traffic hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4900 x 4410 x
CO2 ppm - 323 - 214 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.4 x 0.2 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 32.4 - 32.3 -
Relative humidity % - 65 - 73 -

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

Table 8: Recorded monitoring results for location 7.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak traffic hour Off-Peak traffic hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 4880 x 4650 x
CO2 ppm - 368 - 265 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.0 x 0.7 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 31.5 - 32.1 -
Relative humidity % - 67 - 72 -

Table 9: Recorded monitoring results for location 8.

Recorded monitoring results
Parameters Units Limits
Peak traffic hour Off-Peak traffic hour
3
TSP g/m 260.0 6310 x 4230 x
CO2 ppm - 288 - 207 -
CO ppm 30.0 0 0
NO2 ppm 0.17 0 0
SO2 ppm 0.13 1.5 x 1.0 x
CH4 % - 0 - 0 -

Temperature C - 31.6 - 31.9 -
Relative humidity % - 63 - 71 -

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 Assignment 2
4.2 Sound monitoring

Table 10: Recorded monitoring results

Monitoring Sound level limit (dBa) Recoreded sound level (dBa)
location Peak industrial Off-Peak Peak industrial Off-Peak
hour limit industrial hour limit hour industrial hour
1 63.0 50.4
2 59.5 47.6
70 60
3 59.8 47.84
4 65.9 52.7

Table 11: Recorded monitoring results

Monitoring Sound level limit (dBa) Recoreded sound level (dBa)
location Peak traffic Off-Peak Peak traffic Off-Peak
hour limit traffic hour limit hour traffic hour
5 50.8 40.5
6 75.1 x 45.1
65 60
7 70.3 x 42.2

HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

8 71.4 x 42.8
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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

5 Analysis and Discussion

5.1 Air quality
Sampled TSP, CO2 , CO, NO2 , SO2 , CH4 for the various monitoring locations are shown in
Tables, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The concentrations of CO and NO2 did not vary during
the off-peak industrial hour and off-Peak traffic hour. The mean concentrations in the peak
hours were higher than the off-peak hour rainy. The TSP concentration in the peak hours
varied from 4200 g/m3 at location 2 to 6310 g/m3 at location 8. The TSP concentration
in the off-peak hours varied from 4140 g/m3 at location 6 to 4650 g/m3 at location 8. The
concentrations of NO2 in the area were constant at 0 ppm for all locations for both off peak
and peak hours. Additionally, the concentrations of CO in the area were constant at 0 ppm
for all locations for both off peak and peak hours. The concentrations of CH4 in the area
were constant at 0 ppm for all locations for both off peak and peak hours except location 5
which had a CH4 concentration of 0.1 % during the peak traffic hour.The values of SO2 in
the peak hours varied between 1.6 ppm at location 4 to 0.6 ppm at location 5. The values of
SO2 in the off-peak hours varied between 1.3 ppm at location 4 to 0.2 ppm at location 6. The
mean concentrations in the peak hours are higher than those in the off-peak hours. For the
peak hours, the Relative humidity varied from 55% at location 1 to 67% at location 7 while
for the off-peak hours varied from 55% at location 3 to 51% at locations 2 and 8. For the
peak hours, the temperature varied from 36 C at location 1 to 31.5 C at location 7 while
for the off-peak hours varied from 32 C at locations 2, 3 and 4 to 33 C at location 1. The
concentrations of pollutants in the peak hours were found to be higher than the concentrations
in the off-peak hours. This could be attributed to rainfall after conducting monitoring for
peak hours. This is in agreement with the fact that pollutant dispersion is highest in the dry
season and lowest in the rainy season (Bhatia 2006). Likewise substantial rainfalls clean the
air of contaminations transmitted from characteristic and anthropogenic sources. Investigation
demonstrated that the distinction between the dry and rainy season concentrations was not
noteworthy on account of TSP but rather was huge in other pollutants (Gobo et al. 2013). The
levels of CO, CH4 were low as a result of the inactive automobile and industrial activities around
the area. Discharges from the industrial area impacted the levels of the pollutants. This is on
account of amid inversions of the wind course, toxins are transported to nearby locatiosns and
consequently call for genuine concern. Minimal levels of pollutants were measured at location 5
for both off-peak and peak hours. Notwithstanding the industrial activities and vehicles sources
added to the levels of pollutants measured in the range. Vehicles are a noteworthy wellspring
of air contamination in urban regions representing roughly 48% CO, 32% NOx in the sum and
effectsly affect the environment and people. Most impacts of TSP on human wellbeing result
from breathing, albeit different courses of uptake, for example, the nutritious tract (youngsters
ingesting dust, nourishment pollution, and so forth) might be of enthusiasm for certain cases,
for instance lead and some exceptionally dangerous organic compounds. The mean levels of
relative humidity was 62.6% (peak hours) and 71.8% (off-peak hours). The off-peak hour values
were for the most part higher than the peak hour values in all the stations. This is credited to
high moisture content of the air in the zone amid the off peak hours.

5.2 Noise quality

Sampled noise levels (dB) for the various monitoring locations are shown in Tables 10 and
11. Table 10 summarizes the peak industrial hour and off-peak industrial hour noise levels as
well as the limits. In the same way, table 11 summarizes the peak traffic hour and off-peak
traffic hour noise levels as well as the limits. The highest mean level of noise, 65.9 dBa in
the peak industrial hour and 52.7 dBa in off-peak industrial hour were obtained at location 4.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

The lowest mean level of noise, 59.5 dBa in the peak industrial hour and 47.6 dBa in off-peak
industrial hour were obtained at location 2. The highest mean level of noise, 75.1 dBa in the
peak traffic hour and 45.1 dBa in off-peak traffic hour were obtained at location 6. The lowest
mean level of noise, 50.8 dBa in the peak traffic hour and 40.5 dBa in off-peak traffic hour
were obtained at location 5. The noise levels in the peak hours were generally higher than
the levels in the off-peak hours in all locations. This observation could be credited to high
wind speeds just before the rain. It was observed that noise measurements were done outside
the industrial area (along the road) and within the communities. The levels got are along
these lines credited to human activities including discussions, cars and musical sound systems
(Evaluation of Ambient Air quality in parts of Imo state, Nigeria). The highest level of noise
measured in the industrial area for both peak and off-peak hours is below the permissible limit
of 70 dBa and 60 dBa respectively and therefore do not call for serious environmental and
human concern. For the peak traffic hours, location 5 is below the permissible noise limit of 65
dBa while locations 6, 7 and 8 are above the permissible noise limit of 65 dBa and therefore
call for serious environmental and human concern. Traffic locations 5, 6, 7 and 8 are below
the permissible noise limit of 60 dBa for off-peak hours and therefore do not call for serious
environmental and human concern. Nose pollution is a genuine open issue that can without
much of a stretch upset a basic line of reasoning. Drawn out presentation to a noise level of
around 85 dBa as a rule results in loss of hearing (NIDCD 2015). Prolonged equivalent daily
exposures of at least 85 dBa contribute to increased blood pressure and hypertension (Ismaila
2014). Loss of hearing because of introduction to noise can similarly prompt tinnitus that is,
humming in the ear while sleep deprivation and tiring can likewise be brought about by noise
exposure.

6 Conclusion
The quality of air in the study area is poor indicating pollution as pollution the concentrations
of the air pollutants such as TSP and SO2 exceeded permissible limits and therefore pose serious
environmental and health problems in the area.
Air contamination is something that we cant generally disregard now. There is concrete
confirmation connecting air contamination with mortality and bleakness in the all inclusive
community, harm to general wellbeing with unfavorable impacts packed in urban zones both
in created and creating nations, expansive scope of antagonistic wellbeing impacts influencing
both the respiratory and the cardiovascular system which are seen in both short-term and long
haul exposures.
Air pollutants are presently known be the fast drivers of environmental change. Findings of
the study showed that measured levels of CO, NO2 were all within acceptable ranges whereas
SO2 and TSP were quite high and above regulatory limits in all sampling areas.
Surpassed permissible limits points pose genuine ecological and wellbeing issues in the area.
The ground level concentration coming about because of industrial and traffic were variable as
per the meteorological/climate conditions were prominent at the time.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

References
Bhatia, S.C. (2006). Environmental Chemistry (PB). CBS Publishers & Distributors. isbn:
9788123908267. url: https://books.google.com.my/books?id=HlJPPgAACAAJ.
Gobo, AE et al. (2013). Assessment of Air Quality and Noise around Okrika Communities,
Rivers State, Nigeria. In: Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
16.1, pp. 7583.
Ibe, FC et al. Evaluation of Ambient Air quality in parts of Imo state, Nigeria. In: Research
Journal of Chemical Sciences ISSN 2231,
p. 606X.
Ismaila, Salami Olasunkanmi (2014). Noise exposure as a factor in the increase of blood pressure
of workers in a sack manufacturing industry. url: http : / / www . sciencedirect . com /
science/article/pii/S231485351400033X.
Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (2015). url: http://www.gunungganang.com.my/
pdf/Malaysian-Policies-Standards-Guidelines/Guidelines/Malaysian%20Ambient%
20Air%20Quality%20Guidelines.pdf.
NIDCD (2015). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. url: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/
noise-induced-hearing-loss.

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

A Malaysian ambient air quality guidelines

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines

Malaysia Guidelines
Pollutant Averaging Time
ppm ( ug/m3)
1 hour 0.10 200.0
Ozone
8 hour 0.06 120.0
1 hour 30.0 35.0
Carbon Monoxide (CO) **
8 hour 9.0 -
1 hour 0.17 320.0
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
24 hour 0.04 10.0
1 hour 0.13 350.0
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
24 hour 0.04 105.0
24 hour 150.0
Particulate Matter (PM10) -
12 month 50.0
24 hour 260.0
Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) -
12 month 90.0

Lead (Pb) 3 month - 1.5

Note: ** mg/m3

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

B Schedule of permissible sound levels

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Assignment 2 HEC4842 Environmental Engineering

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