ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

ECW 568
OPEN-ENDED LAB REPORT

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT : AIR PARTICLE

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 27 OCTOBER 2020
GROUP : EC220 /6C4A
GROUP MEMBERS 1. INTAN AFIQAH BINTI KABRI (2019528043)
2. AIN NAZIRA BINTI MOHD SABANDI (2019582535)
3. HAIDHATUL AMIZZA BINTI AZMI (2019528193)
4. MUHAMMAD ZULHILMI BIN MUHAMMAD ZULHAZLI
(2019528147)
5. LLOYDR YEN NAWANG SIMON (2019582329)

LECTURER : DR. DZULAIHKA BINTI KHAIRUDDIN

LEVEL OF OPENESS : 2

MARKS COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS
METHODOLOGY 1 2 3 4 5
RESULTS&ANALYSIS 1 2 3 4 5
DISCUSSION 1 2 3 4 5
CONCLUSION 1 2 3 4 5
ORGANIZATION 1 2 3 4 5
TOTAL MARKS

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
1. To determine the presence of particulate matter in air.
2. To analyze data and interpret the results of the air particle experiment.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Haze has become a national concern over the past few years. Health reports have
indicated the rise of respiratory problems particularly to the elders and the younglings
as well. Schools and universities were also affected and closed down for few days
which eventually affected the teaching and learning process. Latest information on the
air quality is inevitably crucial and important now. As a group you are required to
conduct an experiment to measure the particulate matter in the air at various locations
in the faculty. You are advised to consider environment factors such as the study
locations, ambient temperature, wind speed, elevation and other as well as duration of
measurement (accumulated or independent) which may affect the experiment and
results.
APPARATUS
 PCE-RCM 10 Particle Counter

PROCEDURES
1. The location was selected at Faculty Civil Engineering UiTM. 2 location was
selected.
2. When the meter is off, the power button is been pressed and held for a few
seconds until a beep tone is heard to switch on the devices.
3. After the device is started, the display is showing the current value of PM 2.5
in the middle. The evaluation of the measured value is shown by the color in
which it is shown.
4. Green means good, yellow means neither good neither bad, red means bad
5. The quality of Pm 2.5 is also displayed on the color scale.
6. The current temperature is displayed at the lower area of the display in the
left-hand side.
7. On the right-hand side, the current air humidity is shown.
8. The next interface is showed where the temperature, air humidity, PM2.5, and
PM10 are displayed after we have pushed and released the power button,
9. The power button is pushed again that showed the area for the graphical
representation. The graphics showed the values measured during the last 3
minutes.
10. The data shown from the device is been measure.
11. Lastly, the power button is been pressed and hold for a few seconds until a
beep tone is heard to switch off the devices.
12. The step is repeated from step 1 until 10 at different locations.
 DATA ANALYSIS

a) Reading of air particles for PM2.5 b) Reading of air particles for

Time Location 1 Location 2 Time Location 1 Location 2

(Hours) (µg/m3) (µg/m3) (Hours) (µg/m3) (µg/m3)
8.00 35 59 8.00 100 125
9.00 36 60 9.00 105 130
10.00 35 62 10.00 110 135
11.00 36 63 11.00 105 135
12.00 36 65 12.00 100 140
13.00 36 68 13.00 110 140
14.00 36 67 14.00 105 141
15.00 35 66 15.00 103 142
16.00 35 68 16.00 100 142
17.00 38 70 17.00 101 148
18.00 40 71 18.00 103 150
19.00 39 72 19.00 99 155
20.00 39 71 20.00 101 155

PM10
 c) Graph of air particles for PM2.5

PM2.5 vs Time
80

70

60
PM2.5(µg/m3)

50 Location 1
Location 2

40

30

20
7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
Time (hours)

d) Graph of air particles for PM10

 PM10 vs Time
160

150

140

130
PM10(µg/m3)

120 Location 1
Location 2
110

100

90

80
5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
Time (hours)

Location prediction for 1 = Classroom in UiTM Shah Alam

Location prediction for 2 = Bus stop of Dataran Cendekia in UiTM Shah Alam

DISCUSSION

As we know, Particulate Matters, PM are formed through physical motion, like

pulverized dust getting wind swept, and other particulate matter are formed through
gaseous chemical reactions in the atmosphere. PM is regulated because it has negative
health consequences, especially when it is small enough to travel deep into the lungs,
and be respired. This will lead to a serious health condition to the people who breathes
the air.
Based on the data taken, there are 2 location which gives two different results. In the
data taken for the first location for PM2.5, the lowest reading is 35µg/m3 which were
recorded at 8am, 10am, 3pm, and 4pm. As for the highest, the reading recorded were
at 40µg/m3, which was taken at 6pm. For the second location on PM2.5, the lowest
reading was at 59µg/m3, recorded at 8am, and the highest reading were at 72µg/m 3,
recorded on 7pm.
For the data taken on PM10, the lowest reading for the first location were at 99µg/m 3,
recorded on 7pm. And, the highest reading for the first location were at 110 µg/m 3,
taken at 10am, and 1pm. When looking at the second location, the lowest data were at
125µg/m3, recorded at 8am. And, the highest data taken were at 155µg/m 3, recorded
from 7pm, and 8pm.

Based on Table 1, the standard of the New Malaysia Ambient air quality shows that
the PM10 has the value of 100 and after it was being compared with data that we
obtained from location 1 and location 2, the value ranging in 100 to 155 µg/m 3 which
exceeded the standard in 2020. In location 1, the average value of PM 10 is 111.83
µg/m3 while the average value of PM10 in location 2 is 153.17 µg/m3. These average
shows that both of the locations are not safe for human to live in. The value of
standard of PM2.5 in 2020 is 35 µg/m3 while location 1 has value of PM2.5 ranging in
35 to 40 µg/m3 and in location 2 ranging in 59 to 72 µg/m 3. With a thorough reading,
we can see that location 1 has a good quality of air since the value does not exceed the
standard that much but location 2 exceeded the standard by a large value with an
average of 71.83 µg/m3.

Referring to the Air Pollution Index (API), the first location was classified on GOOD
to MODERATE. For PM2.5, the lowest reading for the first location were at 35µg/m 3,
which is lower than (0-50), classifying the air quality as GOOD. Whereas the highest
reading was at 40µg/m3 which is also classified as GOOD. Looking at this data, we
can predict that the location for the first location’s data are most likely to be indoor.
For the second location on PM2.5, the lowest reading was at 59µg/m3. It is placed in
the range of (51-100), classifying it as MODERATE. And for the highest reading, the
data taken were at 72µg/m3. This places it in the range of (51-100), classifying it as
MODERATE. When comparing this to the Air Pollution Index, we can predict the
location to be outdoor as the high level of API are probably caused by vehicles. Next,
for PM10, on the first location the lowest reading were at 99µg/m 3, placing it in the
range of (51-100), which classifying it as MODERATE. And, the highest reading for
location 1 were 110 µg/m3. This is in the range of (101-200), classifying it as
UNHEALTHY. For the second reading, the lowest reading was recorded at 125µg/m 3,
which ranges in (101-200), classifying it as UNHEALTHY. And, the highest reading
are 155µg/m3. This is ranged in (101-200), classified as UNHEALTHY. By observing
the result of PM2.5 and PM10, we can predict that location 1 is located in the classroom
of the faculty, as the readings of the Air Pollution Index are lower. For location 2, it is
predicted that the data were taken at the bus stop of Dataran Cendekia UiTM Shah
Alam, as the high readings of Air Pollution Index are most likely to be caused by the
vehicles in the campus.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles
suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture includes both
organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
These particles vary greatly in size, composition and origin. Particles in air are either
directly emitted, for instance when fuel is burnt and when dust is carried by wind or
indirectly formed, when gaseous pollutants previously emitted to air turn into
particulate matter. 
The purpose of this study is to determine the presence of particulate matter in air at
two different location. Therefore, in order to achieve the objective that stated, we used
PCE-RCM 10 Particle Counter to measure air quality for both locations. The
apparatus that used is simple to operate. Meanwhile, the apparatus is well function as
it displayed the concentration of the air particle in the air. According the result, it
shows that student able to determine the reading of air particles for PM2.5 and PM10
at both locations very well.
Besides, regarding the data and analysis had shown that the student able to analyze
data and interpret the results of the air particle experiment. To summarize, for PM2.5 at
the location 1 shows the lowest reading for the first location were at 35µg/m 3 which is
the classroom in UiTM Shah Alam classified as GOOD. It shows that the air at the
location there is a “little to no risk” for the human health. Meanwhile, for the second
location on PM2.5, the lowest reading was at 59µg/m3 which classified as
MODERATE.

Other than that, there are some effective tips to protect our health from the dangerous
air. Firstly, avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. Therefore,
people should limit the amount of time outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy. Next,
people should avoid exercising near high traffic areas that can create high pollution
levels up to one-third a mile away. As a student, they should practice to walk, bike or
carpool to the university. Use buses is also other alternatives to driving their car. The
last but not least, to sum up this study was achieve all the objective completely.

REFERENCES
(DOE), D. o. (2013). New
Malaysia Ambient Air
Quality Standard. Retrieved
from
https://www.doe.gov.my/por
talv1/wp-
content/uploads/2013/01/Air
-Quality-Standard-
BI.pd
REFERENCES

(DOE), D. o. (2013). New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard. Retrieved from
https://www.doe.gov.my/portalv1/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Air-Quality-Standard-
BI.pd
Ministry of Environment and Water. Air Pollutant Index. Retrieved from
https://www.doe.gov.my/portalv1/en/info-umum/english-air-pollutant-index-api/100
Particulates are the term for
tiny particles found in the
air. They are so small and
light that
they can float in the air. It is
formed in the atmosphere
because of chemical
reactions between
pollutants. These particles
include dust, dirt, soot,
smoke and liquid droplets.
Some particulate
matter is large enough to see
but other particulate matter
can be seen only with a
microscope. They
may be small but they also
can give the ability to
change the climate.
The purpose of this study is
to determine the presence of
particulate matter in the air
at two
different locations. To
achieve the objective stated,
the study used Dylos
DC1100 Laser Particle
Counters to measure air
quality. The method used
because DC1100 is simple
to operate. DC1100
displayed the concentration
of the particles in the air.
The summary of the
analysis obtained as
follows;
Table 10.0: Summary of the
Analysis
Day
Category
(µg/m³)
Location 1
Location 2
Average
Reading
(Factored)
Ambient Air
Quality Standard
2020
Average
Reading
(Factored)
Ambient Air
Quality Standard
2020
A.M
PM
2.5

22.24
35
Pass
26
35
Pass
PM
0.5

143.44
35
Exceed
461.84
35
Exceed
P.M
PM
2.5

21.6
35
Pass
27.3
35
Pass
PM
0.5

172.75
35
Exceed
458
35
Exceed
On average, the indication
for the particles less than 2.5
µg/m³ was shown to have
positive
results for both locations as
the reading pass the
Ambient Air Quality
Standard from 0800 to 2000
hours. However, data
obtained for air particles
less than 0.5 µg/m³ did
not meet the standard
requirement for both
locations during the day and
night. Overall, Graph 1.0
and Graph 2.0 shows
that air quality at Location 1
is way better than Location
2 because the concentrations
for small
and large particles in the air
were higher at Location 2.
All in all, the study achieved
the second aim of this study
which is to analyse data and
interpret the results of the
air particle experiment.