Pencemaran bau di Malaysia: Keperluan bagi pindaan Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974 (Peraturan-peraturan Pencemaran Kualiti Udara) (Odour pollution in Malaysia: Requirements for amendments of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 [Air Quality Policy Regulations])

Abstract

Bau merupakan sebahagian elemen alam sekitar yang boleh menyumbang kepada pencemaran seperti kacau ganggu dan ketidakselesaan manusia. Bau boleh dinyatakan sebagai sesuatu yang selesa, tidak menyenangkan dan memberi kesan psikologi kepada individu atau penerima sensitif. Pencemaran bau merupakan satu kacau-ganggu yang menyebabkan seseorang individu berada dalam keadaan yang tidak selesa, memudaratkan dan kejatuhan nilai harta tanah. Kini, isu dan masalah pencemaran bau merupakan antara isu alam sekitar yang mendapat perhatian ramai. Walau bagaimanapun, dalam konteks pengurusan, masih tidak ada perundangan dan garis panduan khusus tentang pencemaran bau. Walaupun wujud peraturan khusus pencemaran berkaitan kualiti udara dalam Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974, tetapi tidak dinyatakan khusus berkaitan pencemaran bau. Seterusnya, keperluan bagi mewujudkan peraturan khusus tentang pencemaran bau dalam pindaan akta EQA 1974 perlu dilaksanakan bagi memenuhi keperluan undang-undang khususnya berkaitan tindakan, penguatkuasaan, pengukuran dan analisis berkaitan pencemaran bau. Bagi tujuan ini, kajian kes di loji rawatan kumbahan Desa Jasmin, Nilai Negeri Sembilan telah dilakukan bagi mengenal pasti kepentingan dan keperluan pelaksanaan akta berkaitan pencemaran bau untuk diwartakan. Sejumlah 65 responden telah dipilih secara rawak dalam lingkungan 500 meter dari loji rawatan kumbahan. Dapatan kajian jelas menunjukkan wujudnya pencemaran bau dan melebihi piawaian yang dibenarkan. Implikasi kajian ini jelas menunjukkan Jabatan Alam Sekitar perlu mewartakan satu undang-undang khas berkaitan pencemaran bau supaya tindakan dan pengurusan boleh dilaksanakan. 

Kata kunci: bau, Dynamic Olfactometer, EQA 1974, intensiti, konsentrasi, pencemaran bau

Odour is a part of the environmental element that can contribute to the pollution such as nuisance and human discomfort. Odour can be expressed as something comfortable, unpleasant and psychologically impactful to individuals or sensitive recipients. Odour pollution is a nuisance that causes an individual to be in an uncomfortable condition, detrimental and falling of the property value. Now, issues and problems of odour pollution are among the issues of the environment that are need more attention. However, in the context of air quality management, there is still no legislation and specific guidelines on odour pollution. Although there is a specific air pollution regulation related to air quality in the Environmental Quality Act 1974, but it is not specifically mention on odour pollution guideline and regulation. Furthermore, the need to establish specific rules on odour pollution in the amendments of EQA act 1974 should be implemented to meet the requirements of the law, especially related on action, enforcement, measurement and analysis of odour pollution. For this purpose, a case study at a Sewage Treatment Plant Desa Jasmin, Negeri Sembilan has been carried out to identify the essentials and requirements for the implementation of specific acts on odour pollution for gazetting. A total of 65 respondents were randomly selected within 500 meters of the sewage treatment plant. The findings of the study clearly indicate the presence of odour pollution and exceed the permissible standards. The implication of this study clearly indicates that the Department of Environment should gazette a specific law on odour pollution so that action and management can be implemented 

Keywords: odour, Dynamic Olfactometer, EQA 1974, intensity, concentration, odour pollution