Ambient air quality, air pollution index, and noise baseline for environmentally responsible residential development

Abstract

Background: Peri-urban residential development can change local environmental conditions through dust generation, traffic-related emissions, equipment operation, and community noise. Baseline assessment is therefore needed before construction to distinguish existing environmental pressure from future project-related impacts. This study assesses ambient air quality and environmental noise around the planned Sunville Residence development in Kelurahan Paccinongang, Somba Opu District, Gowa Regency, Indonesia. Methods: A descriptive quantitative baseline design was used. Primary monitoring data from two strategic points were analyzed: one point within the project site and one point at the nearest settlement near a main road. Ambient air parameters included TSP/PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and Pb. Noise was evaluated at an internal project point and a settlement receptor. Measured values were compared with applicable Indonesian standards, and air quality was interpreted using the ISPU category. Findings: All ambient air pollutants were below the reported national standards. The conservative T2-BSP values represented 21.7% of the TSP/PM10 standard, 25.1% of the SO2 standard, 13.2% of the NO2 standard, 19.4% of the O3 standard, 11.5% of the CO standard, and approximately 1.0% of the Pb standard. ISPU values for TSP/PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO were 22, 13, 13, 10, and 6, respectively, all categorized as Good. Noise at the internal project point was 50 dB(A), below the residential benchmark of 55 dB(A), while the nearest settlement point reached 62 dB(A), exceeding the benchmark by 7 dB(A). Conclusion: The study area has a favorable pre-construction air-quality baseline, but settlement noise is already above the residential standard and requires receptor-sensitive management. Novelty/Originality of this article: This article integrates ambient air compliance, ISPU communication, and receptor-based noise interpretation into a management-oriented baseline for environmentally responsible peri-urban housing development.