Publication:

The application of the AERMOD model in the environmental health to identify the dispersion area of total suspended particulate from cement industry stacks

Background The emission from the stacks of a cement industry produces some particles that harm the quality of the air, such as total suspended particulate (TSP). Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon.

Methods The research methods used American Meteorological Society – Environmental Protection Agency Regulation Model or AERMOD as spatial analysis tools to show the TSP dispersion. AERMOD requires meteorological and topographical data. The meteorological data processed by AERMEDT is taken from the reanalysis of MM5 data while the topographical data is extracted from SRTM30 satellite data. The model is carried out for a year, to cover both dry and rainy seasons.

Results The result shows that the TSP peak concentration in one hour is 314μg/m3 (in which the quality standard of TSP is 90μg/Nm3). The area of dispersion tends to head east of the stacks, including District Minasatene (Sub-district Bontoa, Kalabbirang, and Minasatene), District Bungoro (Sub-district Biringere, Sapanang, Mangilu, Bulu Tellue and Tabo-tabo) and District Labakkang (Sub-district Taraweang), Indonesia.

Conclusions AERMOD model can show potential exposure area from cement industry. It needs serious efforts to prevent and minimize the impact to public health.