Assessment of the air quality parameter at Melaka: Jonker Walk and Surrounding Area

Abstract

Melaka has been ruled by Portuguese, Dutch and British and well known with its historical background. Melaka also becomes an attraction for tourism; thus give positive impacts to local economies. Tourist, bus driver and the traders working along the main roads are amongst the people who affected with air pollution. In this study, data was collected at the Jonker Walk and surrounding area using VelociCalc/Q-trak 7575 by TSI. The measurement was taken at every 1-minute data for an interval of 60-minutes along the route. Data for carbon monoxide (CO) were measured using electrochemical method, while carbon dioxide (CO₂) were measured using non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technique. Other data such as temperature and relative humidity were also measured using the same instrument. Findings showed that the concentration of CO₂ was the highest from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm with a concentration of 934 ppm. The maximum median was found from 7.00 to 8.00 pm with 350 ppm, which was in the range of the ASHRAE limit. The highest value of CO was observed from 7.00 to 8.00 pm at 8.6 ppm with a median of 1.25 ppm. The 1-hour averaging time showed low concentration for CO level at 1.953 ppm which was below the acceptable limit of 35 ppm. Statistical analysis showed that there is no correlation between CO₂ and CO. Moderate relationship exists between CO₂ and temperature, CO and temperature and CO and humidity.These findings provide useful information for the tourists during their Melaka visit.