Application of AERMOD dispersion model for assessment PM10 concentrations from mobile sources in Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan City, Malaysia.

ABSTRACT

Deterioration of air quality in Kuala Lumpur caused by mobile sources and traffic-related activities with interaction with climatic conditions and dispersion in the atmosphere. This study was focused on predicting the averaged 1-h concentration of particulate matter (PM10) that was emitted from private cars in Kuala Lumpur by applying the air dispersion model American Meteorological Society (AMS)/United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulatory Model (AERMOD) in 2014. The AERMOD model indicates that private cars in Kuala Lumpur recorded 1-h concentration of PM10 below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (RMAQG) in 2014. The highest concentration was 59.2 µg/m3 in 2014 and mainly concentrated around the city center and highway networks. The highest concentrations are recorded in early morning and late at night, with the highest concentrations at 4 am and 2 am and 48.68 µg/m3 and 38.42 µg/m3, respectively. Late night to early morning is identified as the dominant time interval for pollutant dispersion. The findings demonstrated that air quality had a significant impact on the 1-h concentration of PM10 emitted from private cars in Kuala Lumpur.