HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN STREET DUST OF

SHAH ALAM CITY, SELANGOR.

Norain Isa1*, Fairus Muhamad Darus1, Wirda Arsih2 and Rusdin Laiman2

1
Faculty of Applied Sciences, UiTM Pulau Pinang
2
Faculty of Applied Science, UiTM Malaysia (Shah Alam)

* norain@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

ABSTRACT

The concentrations of metals (Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd) in street dust samples were collected
from differing areas (residential 1 and 2 - low traffic density, industrial 1 and 2 - medium
traffic density, and, commercial 1 and 2 – high traffic density) in Shah Alam city. The samples
concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission
spectrometer (ICP-OES) after digestion with nitric acid and sulphuric acid. The results show
significant concentration of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd in the Shah Alam city street dusts. The
ranges of heavy metal concentrations in the investigated area were 5719.30-25406.67, 215.67-
511.93, 34.47-61.67, 17.60-110.73, 15.67-30.67 and 11.00-20.80 mg kg-1 for Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni
and Cd respectively. The result of heavy metal concentration in all investigated areas were in
order Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd.

ABSTRAK

Kepekatan logam berat (Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd) dalam sampel debu jalan telah diambil
dari pelbagai kawasan (perumahan 1 dan 2 – kepadatan trafik rendah, industri 1 dan 2 –
kepadatan trafik sederhana, komersial 1 dan 2 – kepadatan trafik yang tinggi) di Bandaraya
Shah Alam. Kepekatan sampel diukur menggunakan inductively coupled plasma-optical
emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) selepas dicernakan dengan asid nitrik dan asid sulfurik.
Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan kepekatan signifikan bagi Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd dalam debu
jalan di Bandaraya Shah Alam. Julat kepekatan logam berat dalam kawasan yang dikaji
adalah 5719.30-25406.67, 215.67-511.93, 34.47-61.67, 17.60-110.73, 15.67-30.67 dan 11.00-
20.80 mg kg-1 untuk Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni dan Cd. Urutan susunan logam berat mengikut
kepekatan dalam kawasan kajian adalah seperti berikut Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Heavy metals at trace levels exist in natural water, air, dusts, soils and sediments play an important role in human
life. A number of these elements are biologically essential and are introduced into environments by various
anthropogenic activities. Interest in heavy metal pollutant in street dust has been rapidly increasing as a
consequence of the high levels of contamination measured in a number of cities, and the potential health risks
associated with them (Inyang and Bae, 2006). Street dust consists of vehicle exhaust, sinking particles in air,
house dust, soil dust, and aerosols that are carried by air and water (Al-Khashman, 2004). A range of metals and
chemical compounds found in the street dust environment are harmful. These pollutants can attack specific sides
or organs of the body and develop diseases (De Miguel, et. al. 1999).
Street dust can be defined as solid particles that accumulate outdoor or impervious materials in urban
environments (Ferreira-Baptista and De Miguel, 2005). Street dust is a complex mixture of multiple source
contributions: anthropogenic materials such as automobile/ truck exhaust particles, lubricating oil residues, tire
wear particles, weathered street surface particles, brake lining wear particles, and natural biogenic materials such
as leaves and other plant matter that can be pulverized by the passing traffic (Miguel, et. al. 1999; Sezgin, et. al.,
2003; Manno, et. al., 2006).
Street dust makes a significant contribution to the pollution in the urban environment. Street dust does
not remain deposited in place for long. It is easily resuspended back into the atmospheric aerosol, to which it
contributes a significant amount of trace elements or precipitation washes it away becoming an important
component of the suspended and dissolved solids in street run-off and in receiving water bodies (Miguel, et. al.
1999).
The determination of metal in environmental samples in street dust is necessary for monitoring
environmental pollution. Atmospheric pollution is one of the major sources of heavy metal contamination in soils
and street dusts in urban areas. These metals can be accumulated in soils from atmospheric deposition by
sedimentation, impaction, and interception (Li et al., 2001). Accumulations of heavy metals including Pb, Zn, and
Cu on urban surfaces arise from vehicle exhausts, industrial discharges, oil lubricants, automobile parts, corrosion
of building materials, and atmospheric deposition (Li et al., 2001). Thus, study of street dust could provide more
information of the state of air pollution in Shah Alam. Besides the monitoring of the metals contents of street dust
samples, it is an efficient way of obtaining information on the current environmental state of large areas (Divrikli,
et. al., 2003).
Many studies on street dust have focused on trace metal elements concentration, distribution and source
identification in the last decades. While numerous studies of heavy metal contamination of street dust have been
carried out in developed countries (Charlesworth, et. al., 2003; Manno, et. al., 2006; Ordonez, et. al., 2003), only
limited information is available on heavy metals of street dust in developing countries, including Malaysia.
Shah Alam city, the Selangor capital city, has experienced a rapid urbanization and industrialization in
the last decades. The rapid growth of industry, population and vehicle exerts a heavy pressure on its urban
environment. The main purpose of this preliminary study was to determine the concentrations of metals in street
dust samples collected from different land use type (residential, commercial and industry) and traffic condition
(low, medium and high density) in Shah Alam city and to identify their natural or anthropogenic sources.

2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 The study site – Shah Alam City, Selangor.

Shah Alam, which is situated in Selangor, is one of the 14 states in Malaysia. On the West Coast of Peninsula
Malaysia, Shah Alam is located 25km from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia and 15km from Port
Klang. It is surrounded by others cities such as Subang Jaya (Satellite City), Klang (Royal City) and is fairly
close to Putrajaya (City of Administration) and Cyberjaya.
The size of Shah Alam has been increased in stages gradually since 1963 till the present year. The actual
size of Shah Alam, based on the 1190 Gazette Plan issued on 1st January 1997 by the Selangor State
Government’s Local Government Section, is 290.3 square kilometres.
The study areas lie mainly in the Shah Alam city. The sample sites were subdivided into three main
groups to reflect contrasts between residential, industrial, and commercial areas with low, medium, and high
traffic density roads (Figure 1). The three main groups consist of two places each (Table 1). The sampling site of
residential is in Section 7 (residential 1 – Jln. Plumbum 7/95 and residential 2 – Jln. Turmalin), industrial area is

172
along Persiaran Selangor in Section 15 (Industrial 1 – in front of Naza Bikers Sdn Bhd. and Industrial 2 – in front
of Volvo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.), and commercial area in Section 14 (Commercial 1 – Persiaran Tasik and
Commercial 2 – Jln. P. Dua-14/2).

Figure 1: The study area

Table 1: Description of the sites from which the street dust samples were obtained

Name of sites Description of the sites

Persiaran Selangor (Seksyen 15) – Industrial area - Some vehicles: cars, vans, buses and lorry
Industrial 1 & 2
Persiaran Tasik (Seksyen 14) – Commercial area - Many vehicles: cars, bus, taxis and vans
Commercial 1
Persiaran Dua (Seksyen 14) – Commercial area - Many vehicles: cars, bus, taxis and vans
Commercial 2
Jln Plumbum 7/95 (Seksyen 7) – Residential area - Few vehicles: cars and vans
Residential 1
Jln Turmalin (Seksyen 7) – Residential area - Few vehicles: cars and vans
Residential 2

2.2 Sample collection

In this study, three main areas and six different sampling points within these areas were located on the route.
Street dusts were collected from within in a square of 1 m2 of the road kerb, using polyethylene brush, tray and
containers and were collected in polyethylene containers. The collected dust samples were stored in polyethylene
plastic bag and sealed. The sealed and labeled bags were brought to the laboratory for sample preparation and
analysis.

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2.3 Sample Preparation

The samples were dried in an oven at 100 0C and were sieved through a 0.5 mm stainless steel sieve to remove
extraneous matter such as small pieces of brick, paving stone, and other debris. Then, samples were ashed for 30
minutes at 350 0C. The dried samples for each sampling site were spread into plastic tray. 0.5 g of samples were
weighed and digested with 6 ml of 65% HNO3 and 2ml of 96% H2SO4 by using Milestone ETHOS PLUS
microwave for 30 minutes at 200 0C. The digested samples were cooled, filtered and diluted to 100 ml with
deionized water. Metals in the final solutions were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission
spectrometer (ICP-OES) (Sezgin et al., 2003).

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Heavy metal concentrations

The concentration of Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd were obtained from 6 different sampling points and average
value of the heavy metal concentration of the samples collected in Shah Alam city are given in Table 1. The
graphs which have been obtained by using each of the heavy metal concentrations at the six points are given in
Figure 2.

Table 1: Heavy metal means concentrations (mean ± standard deviation) of

street dusts in Shah Alam City, by area (n = 18 samples)

Area Heavy metal mean concentrations (mg/kg dry soil)

Fe Zn Pb Cu Ni Cd
5719.33 215.67 34.67 19.07 16.27 12.40
Residential 1
±636.38 a ±54.96 a ±07.94 ±14.62 a ±01.67 ±02.43
7608.00 229.93 52.27 28.33 17.73 12.13
Residential 2 a b
±771.28 ±24.76 ±14.21 ±06.43 ±01.17 ±00.83
8526.67 511.93 49.67 47.20 27.47 20.80
Commercial 1 a c b a
±1361.52 ±9.80 ±06.20 ±14.66 ±01.50 ±03.41
9946.67 369.87 61.67 110.73 30.67 11.00
Commercial 2
±1920.19 b ±37.92 ±12.02 ±75.38 ±11.02 a ±00.87
25406.67 255.60 35.27 17.60 15.67 14.07
Industrial 1 a,b
±8289.13 ±82.55 ±15.95 ±01.11 ±09.39 ±12.68
19671.33 311.27 58.53 50.13 26.73 11.60
Industrial 2 a a,b,c a,b
±1326.93 ±142.84 ±06.03 ±18.63 ±05.14 ±00.05
a, b, c
Means with different superscript letters in a column are significantly different (p<0.05).

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 40000 600

35000
500
30000
400
25000

mg/kg
mg/kg

20000 300

15000
200
10000
100
5000

0 0
R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2 R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2

(a) Fe (b) Zn

80 200

70 180
160
60
140
50 120
mg/kg
mg/kg

40 100
80
30
60
20
40
10 20
0 0
R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2 R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2

(c) Pb (d) Cu

45 30

40
25
35

30 20
mg/kg

25
mg/kg

15
20

15 10

10
5
5

0 0
R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2 R1 R2 C1 C2 I1 I2

(e) Ni (f) Cd

Figure 2. (a)–(f) Summary of concentrations of heavy metals in Shah Alam dusts in different areas. R1, R2, C1,
C2, I1 and I2 indicate R - Residential area, C - Commercial area and I - Industrial area respectively.

3.1 Iron, Fe

Iron, Fe concentrations were in the range of 5719.30-25406.67 mg/kg dry soil according to the results of
the concentration at the six points. The mean concentration of Fe of residential areas was found to be 5719.30
mg/kg dry soil in Residential 1 and 7608.00 mg/kg in the Residential 2. The mean concentration of Fe in the
Commercial 1 and Commercial 2 are 8526.67 mg/kg and 9946.67 mg/kg respectively. The mean concentration of

175
Fe in Industrial 1 is about 25406.67 mg/kg and 19671.33 mg/kg for Industrial 2. The highest concentration
(25406.67 mg/kg) in the street dust samples has been found at points in Industrial 1 and the lowest concentration
(5719.30 mg/kg) was found in Residential 1.
The highest concentration of Fe compared to other heavy metals is caused by its natural sources. It is
supported by Al-Khasman (2004), he stated that that there are no limit to the Fe concentration in soil because Fe
is `abundance in the soil. This can be attributed to the soil in the investigated area being rich in Fe. The highest
concentration was found at the industrial area compared with others areas. These may be influenced by industrial
activity such as metal construction works, iron bending and welding of metals in several factories such as steel
industries and from the factory of motorcycles assemble. Various sections deal with either filling or welding of
metals or paveling of vehicle bodies are found in almost all mechanical workshops (Shinggu, et. al., 2007). The
high value of Fe concentration in industrial area shows that the existence of anthropogenic factors in the dust (Al-
Khashman, 2004).
The lowest Fe concentration at the residential areas (1 and 2) may be due to the less traffic density
compared to industrial and commercial areas. From this observation, the vehicular traffic is high in industrial and
commercial area then the residential area, might also contribute to high concentration of Fe in industrial and
commercial areas. The mean concentration of Fe values are arranged by areas in the following order: Industrial 1
> Industrial 2 > Commercial 2 > Commercial 1 > Residential 2 > Residential 1. Statistical analysis showed
significant differences (p < 0.05) between all areas as indicated in Table 1.

3.2 Zinc, Zn

In this study, the highest zinc, Zn concentrations were 511.93 mg/kg dry soil in the street dust samples has been
found at Commercial 1 and 369.87 mg/kg dry soil at Commercial 2. The mean Zn concentration for industrial (1
and 2) also higher compared to the residential areas. The lowest Zn concentrations were found at the residential 1
(215.67 mg/kg dry soil) and residential 2 (229.93 mg/kg dry soil).
The highest concentrations of Zn in commercial (1 and 2) may be due to the high density traffic. Zn may
have its origin from automotive sources i.e. wear and tear of vulcanized rubber tyres, lubricating oils and
corrosion of galvanized vehicular parts (Li, et. al. 2001; Banerjee, 2003; Al-Khashman, 2004; Adachi and
Tainosho, 2004). The high concentration of Zn in Industrial 2 may be associated by industrial activity such as
from electrical and mechanical industry and also from metal processing.
The mean concentration of Zn values are arranged by areas in the following order: Commercial 1 >
Commercial 2 > Industrial 2 > Industrial 1 > Residential 2 > Residential 1. Statistical analysis showed significant
differences (p < 0.05) between the Residential 1, Residential 2, Commercial 1 and Industrial 2 only.

3.3 Lead, Pb

Pb concentrations measured at all sampling points are above the natural limits (0.1-20 mg/kg dry soil) but still
below the maximum existing amount (100 mg/kg dry soil) of Pb in soil (Sezgin et al., 2003). It is noted that the
Pb concentration at all areas show no connection between type of land use or traffic condition. Statistical analysis
showed there is not significant differences between all six sampling point.
Study conducted in differing urban areas (e.g. Li et al., 2001; Sezgin et al., 2003; Manno, et. al., 2006;
Shinggu, et. al., 2007; many others) indicate that the most important source of anthropogenic Pb to street dust is
from vehicular lead emissions. Despite the gradual shift from leaded to unleaded petrol as fuel for automobile, Pb
remains a major source in the street dust of some areas of the urban area including Shah Alam city.

3.4 Copper, Cu

The highest Cu concentrations (110.73 mg/kg dry soil) it the street dust samples has been found at Commercial 2,
where the traffic density are higher compared to the other sampling point. This value is higher than the maximum
concentrations of Cu (100 mg/kg dry soil) in soil (Sezgin et al., 2003). While, the lowest Cu concentrations
(17.60 mg/kg dry soil) was found at the Industrial 1. Statistical analysis only showed significant differences (p <
0.05) between the Residential 1 and Indutrial 2, and Commercial 1 and Industrial 2 only. Therefore, it is
ambiguous to relate the Cu concentrations between land use and traffic conditions. The mean concentrations of
Cu values are arranged by areas in the following order: Commercial 2 > Industrial 2 > Commercial 1 >
Residential 2 > Residential 1 > Industrial 1.

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 Through out the literature, the source of Cu in the street dust was due to corrosion of metallic parts of
cars derived from engine wear, thrust bearing, brushing, bearing metals and brake dust (Divrikli et al., 2003; Al-
Khashman, 2004; 2007; Adachi and Tainosho, 2004).

3.5 Nickel, Ni

Nickel, Ni concentrations measured at all sample points have remained within the natural limits (10–50 mg/kg
dry soil) in soil. The highest Ni concentrations were found at Commercial 2 (30.67 mg/kg dry soil) and the lowest
concentrations (15.67 mg/kg dry soil) were found at the Industrial 1. The sequences of the mean concentration is
Commercial 2 > Industrial 2 > Commercial 1 > Residential 2 > Residential 1 > Industrial 1. In general, Ni
concentrations found in Shah Alam City, which may be due to traffic condition but there was not significant
different between samples except for both commercial areas. Properties of Ni mean that it is resistant to
corrosion. It, therefore, has widespread uses, from production of office furniture to protection of motor vehicle
bodies. It is also produced during the wear of sinterized materials used in car oil pumps along with Cu and Mo
(Charlesworth et al., 2003; Al-Khashman, 2004).

3.6 Cadmium, Cd

Generally, cadmium, Cd is found to be the lower in concentration compared to the other heavy metals in soil, and
also found to be lower in concentration in this study. The highest Cd concentrations (20.80 mg/kg dry soil) were
found at the Commercial 1 and the lowest Cd concentrations (11.00 mg/kg dry soil) were from Commercial 2.
Although, the concentrations of Cd are lower than the other heavy metals, but the concentrations of Cd in all six
sampling points are higher than the maximum concentrations of Cd in soil (3 mg/kg dry soil) (Sezgin et al.,
2003). The Cd concentration in the street dust is likely to be associated to combustion product in the
accumulators of motor vehicles or in carburetor (Al-Khashman, 2007). The mean concentrations of Cd values are
arranged by areas in the following order: Commercial 1 > Industrial 1 > Residential 1 > Residential 2 > Industrial
2 > Commercial 2.

3.7 Correlation coefficient analysis

Pearson’s correlation coefficient can be used to measure the degree of correlation between logarithms of the
metals data. The correlations of metals in street dusts of the Shah Alam City are depicted in Table 2. All the
metal pairs showed positive relations (except for Cd, Zn-Ni pair and Pb–Fe pair), but some of them were
significant at 95% and/or higher confidence level. Zn, Cu and Fe significantly positively correlated with each
other (≥ 0.709) at 99% confidence level, which may suggest a common origin, such as industrial activities. While
Pb showed moderate positive relations with Ni at 99% confidence level and Zn and Cu correlated at 95%
confidence level. The source for Pb may be due to traffic activities in this city. A meaningful correlation has not
been found between Cd with others elements.

Table 2: Correlation matrix for the metal concentrations

Element Pb Zn Cu Ni Cd Fe
Pb 1.000
Zn 0.539b 1.000
Cu 0.526b 0.709a 1.000
Ni 0.608a 0.665 0.552b 1.000
Cd -0.361 0.008 -0.100 -0.095 1.000
a
Fe 0.430 0.724 0.507b 0.607a 0.254 1.000
a
Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level.
b
Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level.

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4.0 CONCLUSIONS

The chemical analysis of street dusts sample in this study helped to explain the distribution of trace
metals within the area of study. The results show the concentrations at three main areas and six sampling points
were in range 5719.30-25406.67, 215.67-511.93, 34.47-61.67, 17.60-110.73, 15.67-30.67 and 11.00-20.80 mg
kg-1 for Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cd respectively. The results of heavy metal concentrations in all investigated areas
were in order Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. According to the heavy metals concentrations in all investigated
areas, concentration of Zn, Cu, and Cd were higher than the maximum concentration of corresponding elements
in soil except for Fe, Ni, and Pb concentration.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) especially to Faculty of Applied
Sciences, for giving the opportunity and providing the facilities to successfully perform this study.

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 CITATION:

Norain Isa, Fairus Muhamad Darus, Wirda Arsih & Rusdin Laiman. 2008. Heavy metal concentration in street
dust of Shah Alam City, Selangor. In: Jamaluddin Md. Jahi, Kadaruddin Aiyub, Muhamad Rizal Razman, Kadir
Ariffin & Azahan Awang. Human Habitat and Environmental Change. Bangi: UKM. Pages: 171 – 180 ISBN:
978-983-42514-1-3

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