Date of Award

3-11-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Dirk P. Yamamoto, PhD.

Abstract

Predicting, determining, and linking theater-related source-specific exposures to health effects has proven difficult. The purpose of this research is to delineate retrospective exposure zones using spatially interpolated particulate air sampling point data from Joint Base Balad, create burn pit exposure isopleths from dispersion model outputs, and merge into a combined exposure model in GIS. Interpolated monitoring results and dispersion modeled results were combined to compare modeled exposures across base. Burn pit contribution to total PM10 was also modeled. The combined dispersion and interpolation map showed elevated concentrations within a 1 kilometer buffer of the burn pit. Buildings within this area were identified by geoprocessing. The east side of the base receives greater burn pit-specific PM10, compared to the west side. The west side showed high ambient PM10 from monitoring results, but it is unclear whether this was due to spatial or temporal effects. High temporal variability highlights the need for temporally representative sampling across the geographical area throughout the year. It was shown that source-specific individual exposure can be estimated with dispersion model isopleth maps and individual time-activity patterns. All modeling performed can all be refined with improved estimates of emission rates.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GIH-ENV-11-M03

DTIC Accession Number

ADA539684

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