Modeling the emission and calculation of the risk of steelmaking contaminants using the AERMOD model

  Nowadays, air pollution has become a major challenge especially in large cities. Considering the paramount importance of air pollutants impact of human health, the study of pollutants emission models to estimate their dispersion and consequent impacts on human health is very important. In this research, CO, NO2 and SO2 emissions from steel complexes, which are the most important pollutants of this industry, is discussed. For this purpose, AERMOD models have been designed to investigate the dispersion of pollutants and then BREEZE AERMOD model to study the risk of emission of pollutants. Finally, the risk of pollutants inhalation was estimated using the RAIS model. The data were collected
statistically. All stages of this research were conducted ethically and relevant permits were obtained. According to the calculations made in our study, the risk factor for non-cancerous inhalation of air pollutants in the steel complex was 3.7 for employees, 4.8 for workers and 7.7 for office workers, 3.7 for over-threshold workers. These individuals were at risk caused by contaminants, especially carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.Residents in the neighbor regions demonstrating a risk index of 0.2% are at a lower risk. Considering the risk assessments made, emissions from steel complexes pose a serious health risk specially for workers. Indeed, due to the close proximity of the surrounding villages in the southern areas of the site to the steel complex flares, they are exposed to the large amounts of contaminants.