Emissions, ambient concentrations, and potential health hazards of VOCs from wastewater treatment
- Stanford Univ., CA (United States). Civil Engineering Dept.
Traditionally, the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants have focused on the removal of conventional pollutants and toxic chemicals from the liquid stream. The emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere has only recently been identified as a significant pollution source and thus has attracted increasing attention. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for evaluating the potential health effects of the emissions from wastewater treatment facilities (aeration basins, in particular) on humans, a near-ground level ``receptor``. The emissions of a few selected chlorinated compounds from a typical basin are first estimated using an emission model. The emission rate plus the prevailing meteorological conditions are then input into a newly-developed dispersion model to predict downwind concentrations. Finally, the degree of exposure level and health risks are assessed by comparing the model predictions with concentration levels for which health effects are known. The method presented herein in suitable for an environmental impact assessment of wastewater treatment facilities.
- OSTI ID:
- 82800
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940789--; ISBN 0-7844-0031-8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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