Between-airport heterogeneity in air toxics emissions associated with individual cancer risk thresholds and population risks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Airports represent a complex source type of increasing importance contributing to air toxics risks. Comprehensive atmospheric dispersion models are beyond the scope of many applications, so it would be valuable to rapidly but accurately characterize the risk-relevant exposure implications of emissions at an airport.

Methods

In this study, we apply a high resolution atmospheric dispersion model (AERMOD) to 32 airports across the United States, focusing on benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzo [a]pyrene. We estimate the emission rates required at these airports to exceed a 10(-6) lifetime cancer risk for the maximally exposed individual (emission thresholds) and estimate the total population risk at these emission rates.

Results

The emission thresholds vary by tw

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2687437 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature