Air pollution diffusion simulation and seasonal spatial risk analysis for industrial areas

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• The petrochemical industry is a significant source of air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.
• Industrial accidents in petrochemical facilities can lead to acute, large-scale air pollution events.
• Understanding the spatial distribution and risk of these pollutants is crucial for public health and industrial safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate the diffusion of air pollutants from petrochemical facilities.
• To conduct a spatial risk analysis of air pollution impacting nearby populations, specifically schools and hospitals.
• To provide data-driven feedback for risk management strategies in the petrochemical industry.

Main Methods:

• Utilized meteorological data from 2017-2019 for central Taiwan.
• Employed the US Environmental Protection Agency's Industrial Source Complex Model Short Term (ISCST3) for pollutant diffusion simulation.
• Analyzed air pollution risks for the No. 6 Naphtha Cracker Complex (6NCC) and Taichung Thermal Power Plant (TTPP).

Main Results:

• Pollutant diffusion is predominantly northeastward during the winter monsoon season (October-March) and more evenly distributed in summer (April-September).
• Simulated pollutant concentrations frequently overlapped with high-risk population centers, including schools and hospitals.
• Taichung Thermal Power Plant (TTPP) posed a higher winter risk to specific areas in Taichung City and Changhua County, while 6NCC posed higher risks to areas in Yunlin County.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights seasonal variations in petrochemical air pollution dispersion and risk.
• TTPP presents a greater localized risk, particularly in winter, impacting schools like Shenren Elementary.
• Findings support enhanced air pollution risk management for the petrochemical industry and public health authorities.