Keywords
Particulate matter (PM); Air qualitymodel; Integrated modelling; Model validation; Indoor & outdoor sampling
Location
Session A3: Integrated Assessment Modelling for Air Quality Improvement: Methodologies and Applications At Regional/Local Scale
Start Date
11-7-2016 10:30 AM
End Date
11-7-2016 10:50 AM
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is considered as a harmful air pollutant. Guidelines to calculate human health risk of PM are based on average activity intensity and outdoor concentrations of PM. However, most people in developed countries spend more than 85% of their time indoors, where PM composition and levelscould vary significantly from those found outdoors. To dealwith thisproblem, we present an integrated air qualitymodelling exercise focused on calculating the PM emission, dispersion and concentration out and indoors, as well as its associated health risks. To do so, we applied the dispersion model AERMOD in the Tarragona County, where several PM sources (harbour, petrochemical complex, incinerators) are located. Within the affected area we selected ten schools where activity patterns of the students were recorded. Sampling of both indoor and outdoor PM was simultaneously carried out and three fractionsof PM (10, 2.5 and 1) were analysed. Indoor air quality results were compared and validated with the results of the popular simulation software IAQX v 1.1 (simulation tool for indoor air quality). Finally, an assessment of the exposure and risks was performed taking into account the student’sactivity patterns by using the dosimetry model MPPD v 2.11. Results obtained from thisstudy will help to better understand the indoor infiltration patterns of different PM fractions and improve the accuracy of the integrated air quality modelling.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Data Storage Systems Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons, Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons
Validation and Application of an Integrated Air Quality Model: From Source Dispersion to Respiratory Deposition
Session A3: Integrated Assessment Modelling for Air Quality Improvement: Methodologies and Applications At Regional/Local Scale
Particulate matter (PM) is considered as a harmful air pollutant. Guidelines to calculate human health risk of PM are based on average activity intensity and outdoor concentrations of PM. However, most people in developed countries spend more than 85% of their time indoors, where PM composition and levelscould vary significantly from those found outdoors. To dealwith thisproblem, we present an integrated air qualitymodelling exercise focused on calculating the PM emission, dispersion and concentration out and indoors, as well as its associated health risks. To do so, we applied the dispersion model AERMOD in the Tarragona County, where several PM sources (harbour, petrochemical complex, incinerators) are located. Within the affected area we selected ten schools where activity patterns of the students were recorded. Sampling of both indoor and outdoor PM was simultaneously carried out and three fractionsof PM (10, 2.5 and 1) were analysed. Indoor air quality results were compared and validated with the results of the popular simulation software IAQX v 1.1 (simulation tool for indoor air quality). Finally, an assessment of the exposure and risks was performed taking into account the student’sactivity patterns by using the dosimetry model MPPD v 2.11. Results obtained from thisstudy will help to better understand the indoor infiltration patterns of different PM fractions and improve the accuracy of the integrated air quality modelling.
