A model for prioritisation of industrial air pollutants: Part I. Formulation

Abstract

This paper describes the formulation of a prioritisation model applied to industrial toxic air pollutants released into the atmosphere through stack and fugitive emissions. This model takes into consideration the relative toxicity of a range of commonly used industrial chemicals, volume released into the air, contaminant transported in the plume, and atmospheric fate of chemicals. The key features of model include Nearby Population Exposure Index (PEI), Occupational Exposure Index (OEI), and Chemical Health Risk Index Number (CHRIN). The approach is to quantify in a relative sense, the potential health risks of nearby population and in-plant workers. The model, when applied to any manufacturing facility that releases toxic chemicals into the air would produce a rank-ordered list of CHRIN. The higher the CHRIN, the more problematic is the chemical. The model is intended to help a particular manufacturing facility devote its resources more effectively to environmental air pollutants control strategies and research on toxic use reduction technologies and methods, or prioritise the facility’s research agenda in toxics use reduction.