Noor Faizah Fitri Md Yusof

Transformation of nitrogen dioxide into ozone and prediction of ozone concentrations using multiple linear regression techniques

Analysis and forecasting of air quality parameters are important topics of atmospheric and environmental research today due to the health impact caused by air pollution. This study examines transformation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) into ozone (O3) at urban environment using time series plot. Data on the concentration of environmental pollutants and meteorological variables were employed to predict the concentration of O3 in the atmosphere. Possibility of employing multiple linear regression models as a tool for prediction of O3 concentration was tested. Results indicated that the presence of NO2 and sunshine influence the concentration of O3 in Malaysia. The influence of the previous hour ozone on the next hour concentrations was also demonstrated.

Monsoonal differences and probability distribution of PM10 concentration

There are many factors that influence PM10 concentration in the atmosphere. This paper will look at the PM10 concentration in relation with the wet season (north east monsoon) and dry season (south west monsoon) in Seberang Perai, Malaysia from the year 2000 to 2004. It is expected that PM10 will reach the peak during south west monsoon as the weather during this season becomes dry and this study has proved that the highest PM10 concentrations in 2000 to 2004 were recorded in this monsoon. Two probability distributions using Weibull and lognormal were used to model the PM10 concentration. The best model used for prediction was selected based on performance indicators. Lognormal distribution represents the data better than Weibull distribution model for 2000, 2001, and 2002. However, for 2003 and 2004, Weibull distribution represents better than the lognormal distribution. The proposed distributions were successfully used for estimation of exceedences and predicting the return periods of the sequence year.

Seasonal Variation in Schools’ Indoor Air Environments and Health Symptoms among Students in an Eastern Mediterranean Climate

ABSTRACT The indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms highly affects the health and productivity of students. This article aims to clarify seasonal variation in indoor environment and sick building syndromes (SBS) symptoms in an Eastern Mediterranean climate. A series of field measurements were conducted during the fall and winter seasons from October 2011 to March 2012 in 12 naturally ventilated schools located in the Gaza Strip. Data on environmental perception and health symptoms were obtained from 724 students by using a validated questionnaire. The results showed that indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 426.3 ± 187.6 μg/m3 and 126.6 ± 94.8 μg/m3, respectively. The CO2 concentrations and ventilation rate widely exceeded their reference values during the winter season. The prevalence rates of general symptoms were relatively high at baseline assessment in the fall season and increased significantly during follow-up in the winter season. Significant increases in disease symptoms such as mucosal irritation and pre-existing asthma symptoms among students could be related to poor indoor air quality. Five distinct groups of SBS symptoms from factor analysis of students’ related symptoms were significantly correlated with PM10 and PM2.5, CO2, ventilation rate, and indoor temperature. As vulnerable children, this situation negatively affects their school performance and health.