Modeled sulfur dioxide exposure from a proposed coal fired power plant, using geographic information systems and air dispersion modeling.

摘要

This study models the contribution of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) from a proposed coal fired power plant (CFPP) above existing ambient levels. Most vulnerable to SO2 exposure appear to be the elderly, young, and diseased, here identified as sensitive receptors (SR). Epidemiologic studies suggest 260mug/m3 as the lowest toxic threshold for SR exposure. It was hypothesized that added SO2 concentrations to existing ambient levels at regional sensitive receptors, under worst case scenario, would not exceed 260mug/m3.; The methods used identify and quantify density locations of localized SR using geographic information systems. Modeled worst case air dispersion concentration exposure to localized SR was conducted using AERMOD. A kriged surface of 1145 modeled concentration points was generated to interpolate contour intervals of concentration contribution. Results show an increased exposure of 1.82mug/m3 SO2, well within 260mug/m 3. A higher density of young SR were observed than for the elderly and diseased.