More localised API readings with new device

KUALA LUMPUR: Who can possibly forget the nasty haze that choked Malaysia and its neighbours in September 2015, causing much concern among Malaysians as the Air Pollution Index readings dipped into the “very unhealthy” range of between 201 and 300 in some parts of the country.

While the haze has somewhat become an annual occurrence in this region, Malaysians can only gauge the air quality based on the API readings provided by the Department of Environment’s (DOE) 52 air monitoring stations located throughout Malaysia.

More localised API readings and air quality monitoring may soon be available with the development of a device by the Research Centre for Tropical Climate Change System (IKLIM) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Climate Change.

The device, which the researchers have named Dirac V1.0, was developed in collaboration with Cranfield University and University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The project also involved collaboration with other local universities and agencies.

The device is equipped with sensors capable of measuring the concentration of various gaseous pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, and even PM2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and 10 micrometres) in the air in any area where it is installed.