Health risk from exposure to industrial air pollution for a point source

Abstract

Health risk to a population exposed to toxic air emissions from industrial sources was evaluated, in order to suggest mitigation strategies according to the social and economic situation. We estimate the chronic noncancer risk due to SO2 emissions using the EPA-validated Health Risk Assessment methodology. The concentration distribution around the source was simulated with the Gaussian ISCST model using real meteorological data for seven consecutive days. The area with the highest concentration of SO2 was found in the south to southwest direction. For exposure evaluation, two Reference Doses were considered, one strong and the other attenuated. Exposure was evaluated for industrial workers inside the facility containing the emission source, for residents in the neighborhood of the source, and for children under twelve years old. The groups with the higher risk from the Reference Doses were children and industrial workers. The area with the highest risk and impact was towards the south-southwest from the reference source. The estimated Noncancer Hazard Rates indicate risk for the industrial workers exposed to average concentrations for a thirty-year period. In the case of children the period is twelve years, and seventy-five years in residents.

Keywords

• Health risk
• exposure
• toxic compounds
• air pollution
• toxicology