Health Risk Assessment of Industrial Emissions in Map Ta Phut, Thailand using AERMOD Modeling and GIS.

Abstract

A health risk assessment of air emissions from Map Ta Phut industrial complex in Thailand was carried out. Two gaseous pollutants, NO2 and SO2, were assessed for non-carcinogenic health risk using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI). Both short-term and long-term health effects were evaluated. Air dispersion modeling (AERMOD) was used to predict the ground level concentration within 5 km radius of the emission sources. The risk areas were identified by HI and the impact sites were illustrated by Geographic Information System (GIS). Resulting from the GIS based map, the impact areas were different between wet and dry seasons. In the long term annual average, both NO2 and SO2 significantly have health impact in the studied areas, HI > 1.