Malaysian already studied about haze from forest fire BUT slept for long time. Now we only read the history. NASA have better information BUT may be not their interest to help countries having problems

Characterization of Malaysian Transboundary Smoke-Haze Particles.

DZULKEFLY, K., ANUAR, K., WAN YUNUS, W. M. Z., ABDULLAH, A. M. and AWANG,M.B. Department of Chemistry Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, selangor (Malaysia)

Abstract: This paper reports results of characterization of haze particles collected during the 1997 haze episode in Malaysia. Haze samples were collected using a high volume sampler from 22 September to 7 November 1997 and February 1998 at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Station. The haze samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particulate matter and trace metal analyses. Significant increase in particulate (PMIO) concentrations observed during haze period was mainly due to transboundary smoke-haze from biomass burning. The maximum PM10 concentration recorded at UPM station was 406.7 µg/m³ on 25 September 1997. Scanning electron microscopy showed that smoke-haze particles were spherical, uniform in size and have liquid droplet characteristics, typical of biomass burning. Analysis of trace metal showed the presence of high concentration of potassium (7.75 µg/m³) in sample collected on 24 September 1997. Other trace metals Na, Cu, Ca, Fe, Al, Mn, Cr, and Zn were attributed to both natural (soil dust) and industrial emissions. The level of lead was slightly increased (0.43 µg/m³) during the haze period.

Key words: Haze, trace metal, scanning electron microscopy, biomass burning.