Investigations of Baseline Air Quality around the Proposed Yangon Outer Ring Road Construction (Eastern Section) Area in Myanmar

Abstract

Road construction projects are often proposed as a solution to traffic congestion and as well as a means of stimulating economic growth. However, the impact of such schemes on air quality is the problem to be tackled, for which modelled impact predictions are needed prior to any road development project. Yangon Outer Ring Road Construction (YORR) (Eastern Section) is one priority project in the master plan of Greater Yangon Region in Myanmar. This study aimed at investigating the baseline air quality in terms of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and SO2, in order to predict the expected increased levels arising from the proposed YORR (Eastern Section) project in Myanmar. Continuous air quality measurements of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and environmental gases: NO2 and SO2 were carried out from 24 January to 2 March 2021 at 5 locations (for 1 week each) around the proposed road construction by using Haz-Scanner Environmental Perimeter Air Station (EPAS). Based on the results, it appears that particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were usually high (36.49-84.02 µg/m3 and 27.95-62.32 µg/m3, 34.36-60.45 µg/m3 and 22.69-59.49 µg/m3, 15.64-57.72 µg/m3 and 13.78-43.84 µg/m3 and 10.20-53.01 µg/m3 and 8.03-40.78 µg/m3) at all locations, Point-1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively (except Point-5). So, PM emissions need to be controlled during the proposed YORR (eastern section) project. SO2 concentrations (20.34-32.99 ppb) were found to be within the WHO guideline but slightly higher than NEQG (Myanmar) Guideline on some days at all the Points except Point-4. NO2 concentrations were found to be within the NEQG (Myanmar) Guideline and WHO standard.