Spatial Temporal Analysis of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentration in Urban Environments

Abstract

Air pollution is rapidly becoming a critical challenge in Malaysia as cities keep expanding. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), one of the main culprits, mainly comes from cars and industrial operations and is linked to serious lung diseases and damage to ecosystems (DOE, 2023; WHO, 2021). When inhaled, NO₂ doesn’t just threaten health directly; it can also trigger the formation of ground-level ozone, a secondary pollutant that further strains urban communities (Latif et al., 2022). This research determines how NO₂ levels change over time and space in two Penang urban areas, Seberang Jaya and Balik Pulau, by comparing measurements taken in 2022 and 2023.