FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

MODIFIED LABORATORY MANUAL FOR ONLINE / OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING

COURSE ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY

COURSE CODE CEW545

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1
CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN
DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK
TITLE Air Particles Measurement

Introduction

Particulates in the air vary from location to location within the area. Air particles
are tiny subdivisions of solid matter suspended in a gas or liquid. In contrast,
aerosol refers to particles and/or liquid droplets and the gas together. Sources
of particulate matter can be manmade or natural. Large amount of air particles
in the environment is the main cause of air pollution which can bring various
implications such as health problem and reduce visibility.

Objectives

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. To determine and to compare the particulate concentrations at
indoor and outdoor.

Learning Outcomes
PREAMBLE
At the end of this activity, students should be able :
- To identify the appropriate experiment to determine the air particles at
indoor and outdoor.
- To analyze and interpret the data and -identify the concentration of air
particles at indoor and outdoor.

Theoretical Background

Higher air particles in the air could lead to deterioration on health among
human and animal and also limit the vision. Particulate matter contains
microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled
and cause serious health problems. Particles less than 10 micrometers in
diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your
lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream.

Fine particles (<PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in parts
of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and
wilderness areas.

Based on the Air Pollutant Index (API) governed by the Department of

Environment (DOE) Malaysia, air quality in terms of human health impacts
and implications are categorized as follows;

©FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG OCT 2020_ODL

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

API Descriptor
0 – 50 Good
51 – 100 Moderate
101 – 200 Unhealthy
201 – 300 Very unhealthy
> 300 Hazardous

In actual practice, students need to measure the air particles at two different
locations namely indoor and outdoor. However, for this online lab session,
PROBLEM
students are required to browse any relevant video/method from
STATEMENT
Youtube/Journal/research article to determine on how to conduct this
experiment. Students need to analyze the data and compare the particles
count at both locations. Students also need to discuss factors affecting the
result.

Students are required to summarise the procedure on how to conduct the

WAYS & MEANS experiment based on the given Youtube links and analyse the data given. The
total duration of the recorded data is 15 minutes.

Suggested Youtube link,

1) https://youtu.be/XPDH1vJX6CU

Data given consist of concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) such as PM10,

PM2.5, PM1 and Total Particle. Students need to analyse the data from the two
RESULTS different locations, compare with relevant standard and conclude the findings.
Suggest the possible location based on the data given.

Discussion on the delegation of work among the group members should be

recorded and attached in the report. (e.g. minute of meeting). References and
standards should also be attached together with the report.

©FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG OCT 2020_ODL

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY MANUAL

SECONDARY DATA

Location: 1) Outdoor

Time Total particles PM10 PM2.5 PM1

(min) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3)
1 76.6 40.0 18.19 9.47
2 65.3 40.4 16.74 8.79
3 69.2 40.8 16.19 8.35
4 70.9 39.4 15.91 8.29
5 66.4 40.4 14.86 8.09
6 66.7 41.9 15.50 7.93
7 59.2 38.7 14.49 7.45
8 80.0 37.2 14.07 7.45
9 51.0 34.3 13.45 7.04
10 78.3 41.1 12.59 6.96
11 55.5 30.6 12.83 6.68
12 63.4 32.6 12.68 6.72
13 58.8 36.2 12.83 6.77
14 66.8 36.3 12.69 6.69
15 73.0 36.6 12.95 6.69

Location: 2) Indoor

Time Total particles PM10 PM2.5 PM1

(min) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (µg/m3)
1 29.1 17.3 8.69 4.57
2 31.7 18.5 8.50 4.37
3 39.2 19.9 8.71 4.60
4 28.3 18.3 8.27 4.30
5 24.8 16.8 7.51 3.96
6 26.8 14.2 6.93 3.81
7 23.0 14.2 6.85 3.73
8 26.9 14.5 6.38 3.53
9 17.5 12.3 6.43 3.55
10 15.4 9.7 6.11 3.34
11 17.3 9.8 6.26 3.22
12 18.8 10.1 5.78 3.21
13 20.5 10.8 5.82 3.14
14 12.7 8.2 5.52 3.06
15 35.1 10.6 5.41 2.91

©FKA, UiTM, PULAU PINANG OCT 2020_ODL