Relationship between air quality, meteorological factor and Covid-19 at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor: an ecological study

ABIDIN, NUR AFIZAN (2021) Relationship between air quality, meteorological factor and Covid-19 at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor: an ecological study. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text FPSK4 2021 42.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Introduction: Wuhan, People’s Republic of China reported a coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in December 2019 that cause by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has become a global pandemic affecting many countries, including Malaysia. Here, the relationship between air quality, meteorological factors and COVID-19 cases in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia was determined. Methodology: Data on air pollutant levels (particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) and meteorological factors data included wind direction (WD), relative humidity (RH), ambient temperature (AT), wind speed (WS) and solar radiation (SR) obtained from 11 March to 1 June (2019-2020) was obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE). Only Batu Muda Station and Petaling Jaya Station was included in our study. The daily and cumulative COVID-19 case numbers reported were retrieved from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). Spearman’s correlation test was performed to study the association between air pollutant concentrations and meteorological with cumulative COVID-19 case numbers. To identify the most contributed variables that associated with COVID-19 cases, Multiple Linear Regression were performed. Result: Cumulative COVID-19 cases in Kuala Lumpur was greater than Selangor during this study period. Levels of several pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and CO) indicated a sharp decline in 2020 early after the lockdown while level of O3 increase. Spearman's correlation test shows cumulative COVID-19 cases have positive correlation in PM10, PM2.5, NO2, O3, and RH while negative correlation with WS and SR. The most significant air pollutant and meteorological factors with total cases of COVID-19 in the Kuala Lumpur are the RH (r = 0.494; p<0.001) and followed by PM2.5 (r=0.396, p<0.001) in Selangor, while all other tests for other parameters failed. Conclusion: According to the findings, the air pollutant and meteorological factors have significant correlation with COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. In addition, the Malaysian government's efforts to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have a major influence on air pollution levels in Malaysia. Furthermore, it is possible to argue that lower human outdoor activities, automobile emissions, and coal-fired power plant emissions all contribute to cleaner air. Keyword: COVID-19, Air quality, Meteorological factors, Malaysia

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Hafizzuddin Hamidon
Date Deposited:	24 Aug 2023 04:37
Last Modified:	24 Aug 2023 04:37
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1029

Actions (login required)

View Item