Elemental Characterization of Airborne Particulate Matter (APM) in Parit Buntar and Nibong Tebal

Study had being conducted to investigate the chemical properties of Airborne Particulate Matter (APM) which present in the ambient air of Parit Buntar Town and Nibong Tebal Town. These towns are located in Northen Perak and in southern part of Seberai Perai, Penang respectively. Non-reactive carbon tape was attached onto an aluminium stub to collect APM. The stub was exposed to the air for 24 hours to collect APM which will be deposited naturally due to the gravity action. Stub containing APM was analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) to obtain elemental components. Results obtained from the analysis have shown that carbon (organic carbon or/and elemental carbon), O, Al, Si and other species such as Ca, K, Fe and Mg are the common elements present in the APM.