Background: Application of air quality models in Health Risk Assessment system has been defined as an effective tool in assess the human population exposure to environmental harmful factors. The present study was conducted to aim of health risk assessment of respiratory exposure to PM₁₀ Emitted from Depos of primary materials and waste a number of Non-metallic minerals industries by Modeling method.
Methods: In this descriptive study, first to Field visits and laboratory measurements was obtained the information needed for SWEEP model to estimate PM₁₀ emission rate from depos of Tile and Ceramic, Khak-e-chini and glass industries. Then, with the introduction of meteorological information to AERMET, the digital elevation model to AERMAP, the emission rate and the geometric dimensions of the pollutant sources to AERMOD, simulated the values of exposure to PM₁₀ in the affected population. The chemical composition of the depos was determined using ICP-MS. Subsequently, using the EPA suggested relationships was estimated the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic exposure to PM₁₀.
Results: According to the simulation results of SWEEP model, the highest PM₁₀ emission was estimated for the Tile and Ceramic depo. The highest concentration maximum of 1, 8, and 24 h of PM₁₀ simulated were 8840, 1967, and 1272 µg/m³, respectively. The highest average respiratory exposure of 1 (52.53), 8 (11.64), 24 (5.85 µg/m³) hour to PM₁₀ was estimated for Sand and Gravel processing plant staff. The highest percentage of chemical compounds in depos was for silica. Accordingly, the carcinogenicity risk (ILCR) of exposure to PM₁₀ was predicted less than 10^-4 and non- carcinogenicity risk (HQ) less than one.
Conclusion: Although numerical values of risk were predicted in the permissible limit, but to creating Surface rock on the depo industries can reduce the emission of PM₁₀.