Modeling particulate pollution (PM_2.5) in the Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia Available to Purchase

Haze pollution refers to the quality of the air during haze events that happened from local or transboundary haze affecting human health and the ecosystem. The Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models is used in this study for identifying the PM_2.5 concentrations for forecasting during haze events in the Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia. The data from February to April 2019 were taken from three air monitoring stations which are Tangkak (Site 1), Batu Pahat (Site 2), and Kluang (Site 3) including PM_2.5 concentrations, wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity. The result of this study shows Station 2 has the highest PM_2.5 concentration (217.113 µg/m³), exceeding the standard limit (<35 µg/m³) due to peatland combustion at the District of Muar. There is a negative weak correlation between wind speed (r = -0.167, p < 0.01) and relative humidity (r = -0.029, p<0.01) but a positive weak correlation with temperature (r=0.161, p<0.01). For model development, PM_2.5,t+1 had a higher coefficient of determination R² values at 0.344. Meanwhile, for model validation maximum R² for PM_2.5,t+1 (0.9998). In conclusion, this study provides early information, especially to the local authority to improve the strategies for better air quality management during haze events.