Public knowlegde and awareness of traffic air pollution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

According to a report by the Department of Environment, motor vehicles are the leading cause of high pollutants in Kuala Lumpur. The seriousness of the traffic pollution problem in Kuala Lumpur is also influenced by the level of knowledge, attitude and awareness of the people regarding the process and impact of the traffic pollution. The level of knowledge and awareness of Kuala Lumpur residents on traffic pollution was assessed using descriptive statistical analysis involving 200 residents through simple random sampling in six strategic zones of Kuala Lumpur namely City Centre, Wangsa Maju-Maluri, Sentul-Menjalara, Damansara-Penchala, Bukit Jalil-Seputeh dan Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi. The results show that the level of knowledge and awareness of the population is modest, that is, more than 50 percent of the population shows positive perception in two aspects, namely basic knowledge of traffic pollution (above 55 percent of respondent) and negative impact of air pollution on human health (more than 70 percent of respondent). However, other aspects such as the process of the existence of traffic pollution and the quality of gasoline fuel such as RON show that only 58 percent of population in Kuala Lumpur known about the RON and 42 percent of population does not understand in detail through some given incorrect and inaccurate answers. As a result, population understanding and awareness of traffic air pollution problem is very important to control and reduce the negative on health and quality of population life. Cooperation between the authorities and policy makers is necessary in the implementation of the strategy and introduction of various incentives to the population aimed at controlling and reducing the negative impact of traffic pollution and at the same time offering environmental protection and making environmental health policy more targeted and effective in the city of Kuala Lumpur.