The modeling and health risk assessment of PM2.5 from Tema Oil Refinery

Abstract

Fine particulate matters (PM2.5) are known to pose serious health problems compared to other air pollutants. The current study employed air dispersion modeling system (AERMOD) to simulate the concentration of PM2.5 from Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and to assess the non-cancer risk and mortalities of the exposed population. In addition, the effects of local climatic factors on the distribution and concentration of PM2.5 within the three main seasons (Major Raining Season (MRS), Low Raining Season (LRS) and Dry Season (DS)) were investigated. The AERMOD results showed that both 24-h (38.8 µg m−3) and annual (12.6 µg m−3) PM2.5 concentration levels were in exceedance of the international limits. However, a decreasing trend in seasonal PM2.5 concentrations was observed. Health risk assessment (HRA), indicated by hazard index (HI), revealed that the amount of Al2O3 present in the PM2.5 caused a significant non-carcinogenic health risk to the exposed population (both adults and children) within the Metropolis (HI = 2.4 for adults and HI = 1.5 for children). Additionally, cardiopulmonary disease related mortalities due to PM2.5 exposure (181 deaths for adults and 24 deaths for children) were found high compared to deaths caused by lung cancer (137 deaths for adults and 16 deaths for children).