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Background: Urban air pollution resulting from economic growth as well as urbanization impacts the health of inhabitants. This study aims to examine the spatial distribution of particulate matter (PM10) and the risk of exposure for the population in the Klang Valley, an urban conglomeration centred in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: The inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique in the ArcGIS platform was used to map the air quality from five air monitoring stations. Spatial statistics of the Global Moran's I Spatial Autocorrelation and Optimized Hot Spot Analysis were used to estimate the spatial clustering of PM10. The population-weighted exposure level (PWEL) technique was used to calculate the population density susceptible to PM10 and the AirQ+ model was applied to estimate the proportion of the adult population at risk of chronic bronchitis due to long-term exposure to PM10 concentrations in the Klang Valley. Results: The highest annual mean PM10 concentrations at the Klang station ranged between 80 and 100 μg/m3 from 2000 to 2009 and exceeded the New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard (NMAAQS) and the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHOAQG) levels of 40 and 20 μg/m3, respectively. The Moran's I results indicated that the statistically significant clusters of high PM10 in Klang present a health risk to the local community. The PWEL results showed that levels of PM10 in Petaling Jaya exceeded the WHOAQG limits, potentially posing a health risk to the high-density population. The AirQ+ model found Klang to be a significantly high-risk area for chronic bronchitis among the adult population with 804,240 people (with a relative risk of 1.85) in 2009. Conclusion: These high-risk values are due to rapid urbanization and high motor vehicle usage in the Klang Valley and therefore the impact of PM10 on the population needs to be reduced. This situation should be taken seriously by the Department of Environment and Kuala Lumpur City Hall in addressing air pollution issues through stricter rules on emissions and implementing low-carbon policies to improve the well-being of residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanisation invariably affects the extent of natural resources and green spaces in the cities. Urban expansion to accommodate the increasing population and economic activities are constantly threatening the existing forest areas and green spaces. In this regard, it is estimated that by 2020, 75% of the Malaysian population will be residing in cities and major urban centres. The pressure on existing forest and green spaces will increase thus affecting the general well-being of city dwellers. This trend is evident in Kuala Lumpur. The Economic Transformation Programme launched in 2010 identified Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley Region a sub-region of Kuala Lumpur Extended Mega Urban Region as one of the key region to enhance and spearhead the economic growth towards a developed nation status in 2020. Currently the region is home to 10 million residents about 31% of the total population of Malaysia. This figure is expected to increase to 12 million people in 2030. The main aim is to transform Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley Region into a highly connected city where people can access many facilities, opportunities and services being liveable as a vibrant urban metropolis. It also aspires to be among the top 20 most liveable cities globally by 2030. For the past several decades Kuala Lumpur has greatly expanded and diffused through the connection of smaller towns and urban centres such as Putrajaya, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Kajang, Selayang, Ampang Jaya and Sepang. This expansion process undoubtedly has encroached into forest areas and green spaces in Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley Region, consequently reducing the natural resources of the area. The diffused nature of urban expansion has also fragmented the available forests and green spaces. As a result the areas are small, isolated and scattered in the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang ValleyRegion. Even though the areas are small, they are significant in protecting and conserving urban flora and fauna. This paper explores the pattern and scale of fragmentation of forests and green spaces in connection with the urbanization processes. The paper also provides information on these urban and peri-urban forests, their characteristics and locations and their crucial roles for recreational and outdoors activities as well as ecosystem services provided to city residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A school environment with good indoor air quality contributes to the children's performance and learning efficacy. This study aims to determine indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 concentrations in school environments and its possible sources and exposure levels. Daily measurements of PM 2.5 samples were collected for 24 h using low volume samplers from 19 primary schools in densely populated areas of Kuala Lumpur. Chemical species of the PM 2.5 were determined for trace metals, water soluble inorganic ions (WSII) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for both indoor and outdoor. The results showed that classroom indoor PM 2.5 levels had an average concentration of 42.0 ± 23.1 μg m−3, which was not much different from outdoor levels, which have an average concentration of 39.9 ± 21.9 μg m−3. However, there was a significant difference between indoor and outdoor chemical constituents for Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Na+, B[b]F and B[a]P (p < 0.05). The major components of PM 2.5 mass indoors and outdoors were SO 4 2− (3.9% and 3.6%) and NO 3 − (2.4% and 2.4%), respectively. The results from Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) identified building materials (34%) as the major source for indoors, while secondary pollutants (38%) were identified as the major source for outdoors. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for all metals were <1 indicated low non-carcinogenic risk to school children, while the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) values were in the sequence of Cr > Ni > Cd > Pb. Overall, PM 2.5 concentrations impacted the air quality in schools and posed health risks to children, which means measures need to be taken to reduce PM 2.5 pollution in school environments. [Display omitted] • PM 2.5 concentration in indoor and outdoor school were studied • Highest contribution of water soluble inorganic ions in PM 2.5 • Major contribution of secondary pollutant source in school • Tolerable risk of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic metals in school [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]