In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that air pollution causes

the premature death of some 7 million people worldwide every year. Air pollution is the
presence of particles such as nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide and
ammonia in the atmosphere that are harmful to human health and other living things, and can
cause severe damage to climate or materials. There are 2.3 billion people in the Asia -Pacific
region who are exposed to high levels of air pollution, mainly in China and India (Pawankar,
2019). Malaysia ranks as the third highest country after Indonesia and Thailand for air
pollution released in the Southeast Asian region (Shahrul Nizam Salahudin, Muhammad
Madi Abdullah, & Nazia Ahmad Newaz, 2013). Rapid industrial development and
urbanization have a severe impact on air pollution (Barbera, Curro & Valenti, 2010). Despite
the fact that the industrial revolution is a great success in terms of innovation, society, and the
provision of many services, it also shows the production of large amounts of toxins circulated
into the air as shown in Figure 1 that are dangerous to human health (Manisalidis,
Stavropoulou, Stavropoulos, & Bezirtzoglou, 2020).

Indoor air must be better quality than outdoor air. However, Chen, & Zhao (2011)
have shown that more than 2/3 find indoor air pollution problems higher than outside. People
spend approximately 90% of their time indoors such as homes, gyms, schools, and
workplaces, which in turn have a huge impact on health and quality of life in general
(Cincinelli, & Martellini, 2017). Indoor air pollution sources such as wood building materials,
oil-based paints, perfume decorations, pets, dust mites, smoking, cleaning equipment or
performing combustion processes such as cooking will reduce indoor air quality (Leung,
2015). High genotoxic potential is associated with exposure to fine particles that reach the
alveolar area of the lungs, being a risk factor for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality
(Pope et al., 2002). The number of deaths due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections is increasing due to the
combined effects of ambient and household air pollution.

The results of monitoring air pollution review of Malaysia show that Suspended
Particulate Matter (SPM) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2) are the main pollutants meanwhile
other pollutants such as Carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O 3), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and
Plumbum are also observed in some major cities in Malaysia (Rafia Afroz, Mohd Nasir
Hassana, & Noor Akma Ibrahim, 2003). Based on existing scientific studies, short- and long-
term exposure to air pollutants has different toxicological effects on living things (Sanidas et
al., 2017). Short-term effects associated with poor air quality such as eye irritation, skin
diseases, nausea and cardiovascular infections (Baccini, Mattei, Mealli, Bertazzi, & Carugno,
2017) while the long-term effects of air pollution exposure on breathing are chronic heart
disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults,
exacerbating pre-existing heart and lung disease, or asthma attacks (Kampa & Castanas,
2008).

In 2003, Rafia Afroz et al. conducted a study which showed that there is a positive
link during haze episodes between pollution levels and increased asthma, acute respiratory
infections, and outpatient conjunctivitis visits in several states in Malaysia. Air pollution in
Malaysia is governed by various environmental policies and laws, such as the Environmental
Quality Act 1974, with additional legislation such as the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality
Standards 2013, Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 2014, and the like
(Malaysia, Ministry of Environment and Water, 2001). Maizatun Mustafa (2011) has stated
that this administrative approach acts to reduce and monitor pollutants such as particles,
ozone and nitrogen dioxide produced from various sectors for environmental protection and
pollution control. However, even within this administrative framework, Malaysia still suffers
from air pollution. In short, only individuals who are aware of environmental wellness and
fully committed to quality air can encourage environmental protection practices.

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