Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abu Bakar,

Jalan Beserah, 25300 Kuantan, Pahang

TAJUK KAJIAN :

KEGEMILANGAN KESULTANAN MELAYU MELAKA

 “HUMAN ACTIVITIES AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AROUND US” :
HAZE

Theme : Maintenance and Continuity of Life

Learning Area : Chapter 2 Ecosystems

Content Standard : 2.4 The role of human in maintaining

a balanced nature

Learning standards : 2.4.1 Justify and communicate that humans needs a

stable and productive ecosystem to sustain life.

Problem Statement/ Issue:

Make case studies on environmental issues in Malaysia which are mostly due to
development activities conducted by certain parties. Although the activity
involves activities that are carried out legally or illegally, it still has a negative
impact on the environment and its life.
1.0 Introduction

Haze is a mixture of airborne pollutants containing dust, smoke particles, carbon

monoxide and other toxic gases. Due to its small size, these particles can enter deep into the
lungs and into the bloodstream in some cases.
Haze is a form of air pollution and the most common sources of haze are industrialisation,
transportation, construction and agriculture. However, the haze we experience in Malaysia is
largely due to forest fires in the region, which happens when open burning is done to clear
land for agricultural purposes.
While fires may be burning, this does not necessarily mean that we will experience haze
in Malaysia. Whether we experience haze is due to where the fires are burning and the
direction in which the wind is blowing.
Air quality is measured by the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) which indicates the severity
of haze. PSI is calculated based on an average reading of pollutant concentration levels over
24 hours. The key air pollutant of concern is the fine particulate matter (PM).

1.1 Benefits of Human Activities That Cause Haze

Environmental issues in Malaysia such as haze are mostly due to development activities
conducted by certain parties. These activities are necessary in the survival of human race.

1.1.1 Industrialisation

Industrialization is the development of industries in a country or region on a broad

scale. This development has many advantages. The main advantage comes from the fact that
industrialization gives us more goods that can be bought at affordable prices.

Additionally, industrialization has resulted in a substantial rise in the standard of

living of people. Due to the presence of various industries, people are getting the newer type
of products such as automobiles, furniture, appliances, clothes, etc. which improves the
ordinary people’s standard of living. 

Besides that, industrialization provide jobs such as engineers, supervisors, managers

and labourers.
 Finally, industrialization creates new job opportunities, resulting to reduction of
poverty to a great extent. It generates employment opportunities by developing industries for
the people. 

Although industrialisation has many benefits, it has led to environmental degradation

in terms of industrial pollution, causing severe have problem. With industries operating, a 100
per cent pollution-free environment is a myth. It is not possible.

1.1.2 Transportation

Transportation plays a major role in the daily life of human beings. It is necessary for
things to be moved around and as transportation systems have developed over time, the speed
and efficiency of these systems have improved drastically.
The importance of transportation is showcased in how individuals, businesses, and
governments rely on it to access resources.
A society cannot function optimally if it does not have measures in place to facilitate
transport. From movement to work to travel around the world, being able to arrive at various
places or deliver different items on time is vital for overall productivity and sustainable
development. People, resources, jobs, and economies all need seamless movement to keep the
entire world moving forward.
Although transportation plays a major role in people’s lives, it has many major
drawbacks. One of it is haze.

1.1.3 Construction Work

Construction of new buildings is an ongoing process in cities and suburbs. While

infrastructure building is an essential step to support the growing population and
modernization, it brings forward various inconveniences, mainly those related to pollution.

Besides that, construction promotes better living conditions for people, plus the
economic benefits are spread across the entire society. Not only providing jobs to construction
workers, but also designers, engineers, material suppliers, tool manufacturers, equipment
manufacture, transportation and so on.

Construction work also can cause serious haze to the surrounding area.
1.1.4 Agriculture

Fire is the cheapest and fastest method to clear land in preparation for planting. Fire is
used to clear the plant material left over from logging or old crops. Mechanically raking the
plant material into long piles and letting them rot over time, is expensive and slow, and could
harbour pests. Clearing land with machines and chemicals can be costly compared to using
the open burning method. This kind of land clearing for agriculture purpose will cause a wide
spread haze problem.

1.2 Human Activities That Cause Haze

Some of the more direct damage caused by haze include damage to people's short term
health and regional tourism during haze periods. The haze also leads to industrial production
losses, airline and airport losses, damage to fisheries, and incurs the costs on cloud seeding. In
addition, severe haze weather can lead to long-term health damage, reduced crop productivity,
reduced visibility, accidents, loss of life, evacuations, and the loss of confidence of foreign
investors.

The health effects of haze depend on its severity as measured by the Pollutants

Standards Index (PSI). Levels above 100 are classified as unhealthy and anything above 300
as hazardous. There is also individual variation regarding the ability to tolerate air pollution.
Most people would at most experience sneezing, running nose, eye irritation, dry throat and
dry cough from the pollutants.

However, persons with medical conditions like asthma, chronic lung disease, chronic
sinusitis and allergic skin conditions are likely to be more severely affected by the haze and
they may experience more severe symptoms. Children and the elderly in general are more
likely to be affected. For some, symptoms may worsen with physical activity.

The transboundary Southeast Asian haze has been linked to various cardiovascular
conditions including acute ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.
There appears to be increased susceptibility amongst the elderly and those with past history of
heart disease and diabetes mellitus. The risk is elevated for several days after exposure.

The major human activities that causes haze are :

  Industrialisation

Industries pollute the air by releasing various toxic gases in the atmosphere such as
carbon monoxide when fossil fuels are burnt. For example, petrochemical industry involves
varied combinations of cleaning, painting and heating, while other raw material or appliance
treatments release volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. These are carbon- or
hydrocarbon-based chemicals that quickly evaporate in the air. In the presence of sunlight,
they react with other air pollutants like sulphur or nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhausts to
create peroxyacetyl nitrates. This looks like a thick brown haze and can linger for days or
weeks. These are hazardous for the health of the people. It gives birth to various respiratory
diseases. It not only harms human lives but also animals and plant lives.
Haze Due To Industrialisation
  Transportation

Cars, trucks and buses produce air pollution throughout their life cycle, including
pollution emitted during vehicle operation and fuel production. Air pollution from cars, trucks
and buses is split into primary and secondary pollution. Primary pollution is emitted directly
into the atmosphere; secondary pollution results from chemical reactions between pollutants
in the atmosphere. 

Pollutants from vehicle exhaust which causes haze can affect more than just your
lungs. Indeed, tailpipe pollutants pose health risks at every stage of life, and can even cause
premature death.

Haze Due To Transportation

 Haze Due To Transportation

 Construction Work

Construction activities are major contributors to haze. Apart from the usage of raw
materials like sand, cement, concrete, etc., activities like excavation and drilling contribute to
pollution. Bulk material transportation, loading/unloading, open-air storage, concrete and
mortar making, cutting and filling, and the movement of equipment also can cause haze. If
unattended, particulate pollution will increase, impacting the health of labourers at these sites
and also to the locals nearby.
 Haze Due To Construction

Haze Due To Construction

  Agriculture

Haze caused by open burning for agriculture can have many adverse effects to the
locals and the environment. Transboundary haze in Malaysia has been recorded since 1972.
The haze is largely caused by illegal agricultural fires due to industrial-scale slash-and-burn
practices in Indonesia, especially from the provinces of South Sumatra and Riau in
Indonesia's Sumatra island, and Kalimantan on Indonesian Borneo.

Haze Due To Agriculture

Haze Due To Agriculture

1.3 Adaptation Methods To Reduce Haze

1.3.1 Industrialisation
Manufacturers must keep the air clean and healthy. The following provides a look at some of
the most effective ways to minimize and prevent industrial air pollution emanating from
factories.

 Make the switch to clean energy sources such as solar.

 Use Technology to Destroy Pollutants at the Source. For example, Catalytic oxidizers:
These machines use intense temperatures and chemical catalysts to render air
pollutants down into their constituent compounds, which may then be harmlessly
released.
 Choose Non-Toxic Materials to Manufacture Goods. The Environmental Protection
Agency recommends that manufacturers identify raw materials and additives
containing chromium, mercury and lead, and replace them with non-hazardous biocide
alternatives.
 Deploy More Effective Enterprise Planning Techniques. There should be a balance
between supply and demand and keep unneeded factory activities to a minimum.

1.3.2 Transportation

There are many ways to reduce haze due to burning of fossil fuel by vehicles. Some of the
ways are:

 Walk or bike when you can;

 Take public transport when possible;
 Carpool with friends instead of driving alone;
 Plan ahead to make the most of your trips;
 Work from home periodically if your job allows it;
 Drive efficiently – go easy on the gas pedal and brakes;
 Maintain your car – get regular tune-ups, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance
schedule, and use the recommended motor oil;
 Buy electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and
  Don’t idle

1.3.3 Construction Work

There are many dust preventative measures in order to reduce haze. The main ways to
minimize the impact of dust pollution at a construction site is through dust screens that
enclose the building under construction and a solid barrier around the whole site, enclosing
the material hoist and debris chute, spraying water onto debris before it goes down a debris
chute, spraying water on surface when grinding work is being performed, equipping a vacuum
cleaner to the equipment during grinding, and covering up the material where possible — be it
during transit, or when there are piles of building materials on site. All these measures will
definitely help to reduce the occurrence of haze.

1.3.4 Agriculture

Combating the practice of open burning requires appropriate laws and regulations for
effective implementation. In the context of Malaysia, such protection necessitates the
involvement of laws that deal with different aspects of environmental protection, particularly
that of forestry and air.

Furthermore, there should be cost-effective alternative to crop burning is eco-friendly

and may help control haze. Agricultural scientists have found an alternative to crop burning
and it is called 'Waste Decomposer' where an acre of farm land can be decomposed within a
month without leaving any toxic fumes.
2.0 Study Findings
A study in the form of questionnaire was conducted about the perception of haze by
the residents in Bandar Indera Mahkota 8. There were a total 20 respondents ( 10 females and
10 males ) ranging from 14 years old to above 60 years old. The respondents’ education level
ranged from primary or below to college or above.
From the questionnaire, regarding the respondents’ access to haze information in
Bandar Indera Mahkota 8, it is found that about 37.5% of the respondents get access about
haze information from television, 25% from radio, 30% from internet and 7.5% from
newspapers.
 Besides that, from the questionnaire, regarding the respondents’ opinion of the severity of
haze in Bandar Indera Mahkota 8, about 10% of the respondents felt that the haze is severe,
45% little severe. About 45% of the respondents felt that the haze is not severe at all.
 Furthermore, from the questionnaire, regarding the respondents’ opinion on the main cause
of haze in Bandar Indera Mahkota 8, about 30% of the respondents felt that it is caused by
industrialisation, 22.5% by vehicles, 25% by construction work and 22.5% by weather factor.
Lastly, from the questionnaire, regarding the respondents’ intervention in an activity that
causes haze, about 35% of the respondents took immediate intervention, 60% of the
respondents cared but did not take any intervention and 5% of the respondents did not care at
all about the activity that cause haze.
3.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, we should implement various methods as suggested above to reduce
haze due to industrialisations, transportation, construction and open burning in agriculture.
As a member of the society, my family is doing our role to reduce the occurrence of
haze in our area. We are practising car - pooling, use of eco – friendly car and keeping the
car in good condition to reduce exhaust emission that cause haze. Besides that, we avoid
open burning to dispose waste. We are also practicing 3R which is reducing, reusing and
recycling waste.