Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme

The EQMP Air Quality Monitoring Network

The monitoring of the nation’s air quality in the EQMP comprises:

  • 65 Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAQM)
  • 14 Manual Air Quality Monitoring Stations (MAQM)
  • 3 Mobile Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations (MCAQM)

The CAQM station provides near real-time air quality data which is transmitted to the Environmental Data Centre (EDC) on a scheduled basis. The CAQM network is divided into the following categories:

  • Urban
  • Sub-urban
  • Industrial
  • Rural

In addition, one CAQM station represents the background air quality characteristics.

The air quality parameters measured at the CAQM stations are generally considered as the key parameters related to assessing ambient air quality and are included in most of the national ambient air quality monitoring networks throughout the world.

Particle Analyzer – TEOM 1405DF for
PM10; PM2.5


Gas Analyzers – iSeries for
SO2; SOX: NO; NO2; NOX,: CO; O3

In addition, meteorological parameters and solar radiation are also measured. At selected stations, ozone precursors, comprising numerous volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are monitored and assessed in relation to the prevailing ozone levels.


Ozone Precursor – AMA

Meteorology Sensor – Climatronics
Temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction & barometric pressure


All the related equipment in the CAQM network are certified by internationally-recognised agencies such as U.S. EPA, TÜV and MCerts.

Data from the CAQM network is used to generate hourly Air Pollutant Index, made available to the general public via the website APIMS (Air Pollutant Index of Malaysia) as well as the mobile application, MyIPU.

The API is related to the potential health impact of the general public. The increasing degree of health impact as the API value increases provide an indication of the extent of measure of care and mitigating measures that would be required in the areas concern.

The near-real-time generation of air quality data from the CAQM network represents elements of an early warning system with regards to levels of air pollutants that may exert a harmful effect on human health. Such alerts are incorporated into the network and allow for the timely and appropriate management action to be taken.

Air quality Monitoring Network also includes :-

The MAQM network comprises the use of High-Volume Sampler that functions to collect both PM10 and PM2.5 on a predetermined schedule.

The collected particulate matter is sent to our Contract Laboratory for the analysis of heavy metals and hydrocarbon.

The MCAQM station is equipped with the complete suite of equipment to measure a comprehensive list of air quality parameters as with the fixed CAQM station

Housed in a customized vehicle, it is aimed at undertaking monitoring activities as and when required throughout Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

The MCAQM is deployed as instructed by the DoE in instances of pollution events or when a particular study need to be undertaken.