Watcharaphol Traisantikul. Air Pollution Dispersion Modeling for Localized Exposure in Tampa. Master's Degree(Chemical Engineering). King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. KMUTT Library.. : King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 2553-01-17.
Air Pollution Dispersion Modeling for Localized Exposure in Tampa
Abstract:
This work focused on the air pollutant concentration of benzene. Benzene is released
from industrial point sources throughout Hillsborough County area in Florida. Released
characteristic data of benzene were obtained from National Emission Inventory in year
2002. CALPUFF used these data to predict benzene concentrations that were advected
by the wind. After that, the results were integrated into ArcGIS to study population
exposure. Population demographics were obtained from U.S. Census Bureau in year
2000. Overlay analysis in ArcGIS was used to determine the relationship between
benzene concentration and population exposure.
Inequity index was used to quantify the disparity among subpopulation. There were 3
subpopulations studied, namely ethnicity (White, Black and Hispanic), age (children,
age < 18 and elder, age> 65), and poverty (below poverty and above poverty). If the
inequity index has a positive value, it means that subpopulations live disproportionately
within benzene concentration contour and have a higher chance of benzene exposure.
On the other hand, if the inequity index has a negative value, it means that
subpopulations live disproportionately outside benzene concentration contour.
Furthermore, the analysis was separated by wind types that blew from the sea to the
land (first group) and blew from the land to the sea (second group). For the first group,
the results showed that Black had positive inequity index while White and Hispanic had
negative inequity index for ethnicities category. In other words, Black resided
disproportionately within benzene concentration contour while White and Hispanic
resided disproportionately outside benzene concentration contour. In age category,
children had slightly positive inequity index because they resided homogeneously when
compared to children population in Hillsborough County area. Inequity index for
elderly was negative because they resided far from the benzene concentration contour.
For poverty, people who are classified as below poverty have negative inequity index
while those above poverty have positive value. The results of the second group showed
that Black still had positive inequity index. For age and poverty categories, the inequity
indexes were both positive and negative. Consequently, the population residing within
the concentration contour is subject to more health risk as a result of benzene exposure