Dispersion and Health Risk Assessment of PM10 Emitted from the Stacks of a Ceramic and Tile industry in Ardakan, Yazd, Iran, Using the AERMOD Model

Background: In developing countries, air pollution caused by industries constitutes a serious threat to public health. The present study was conducted to determine the dispersion patern and assess the health risks of PM10 emitted from the stacks of a ceramic and tile factory. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on a tile and ceramic industry in Ardakan, Yazd, Iran. The stacks emission information and meteorological and topographical data were first prepared to run the AERMOD model and draw the disperesion patern and evaluate exposure to PM10. The simulated concentrations were then compared to EPA and WHO standards, and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of exposure to PM10 were calculated using the formulas proposed by EPA. Results: The results showed unifrom PM10 dispersion in all directions given the flat modeling area. The simulated maximum PM10 concentrations were found to be higher than the maxium thresholds stipulated in both the standards for a 24-hour period and higher than the WHO thresholds on an annual basis. In contrast, the average daily and annual concentrations were found to be below the standard limits. The results of assessing both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks were therefore estimated to be acceptable.  Conclusion: Although the present study calculated the contribution of the study factory’s stacks to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks as acceptable, the cumulative effects of industries in Ardakan can increase these risks in the villages surrounding these industries.