Gaseous Elemental Mercury (GEM) in ambient air in Malaysia and its health risk assessment
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2025
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems. In its dominant atmospheric form, gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), it can travel long distances, contributing to widespread environmental contamination. This study investigates GEM levels in ambient air across urban, suburban, rural, and industrial areas in Peninsular Malaysia using both in situ and continuous measurement methods. Results show GEM concentrations ranging from a minimum of 4.8 to a maximum of 28.9 ng m(-)3, with the highest levels observed in industrial areas such as Pasir Gudang (28.9 ng m(-)3) and Shah Alam (18.6 ng m(-)3). Health risk assessments (HRA), conducted for different age groups, indicated that GEM concentrations were below the threshold for non-carcinogenic health risks (HQ < 1). These findings highlight the urgent need for long-term monitoring to assess mercury pollution and inform Malaysia's commitment to the Minamata Convention. The study underscores the importance of continuous GEM monitoring to bridge knowledge gaps in mercury's spatial and temporal distribution, especially in tropical regions.
Keywords
Gaseous elemental mercury, Ambient air, Health risk assessment, Peninsular Malaysia, Minamata Convention
Divisions
ocean
Funders
Nippon Instruments Corporation,Universiti Malaya
Publication Title
Water Air and Soil Pollution
Volume
236
Issue
3
Publisher
Springer Nature
Publisher Location
GEWERBESTRASSE 11, CHAM, CH-6330, SWITZERLAND