Exposure Assessment of Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Downwind of an Oil Refinery in Curaçao

• 作者: Dave Hollander Erin L. Pulster Giffe Johnson James McCluskey Raymond Harbison
• 来源期刊: 环境保护(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: SULFUR Dioxide Oil REFINERIES Public Health EXPOSURE Assessment Cura?ao
• 年，卷（期）: 2018,（3）
• 页码范围: 194-210
• 页数: 17页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As such, several regional and global regulatory agencies have recommended ambient air limits to reduce environmental exposures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate ambient levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding an oil refinery on the island of Cura?ao. Levels which were then compared to literature values and recommended public health guidelines to determine potential public health risks. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in Curacao were found to be among the highest globally with an increasing trend over time. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health risk from these levels of exposure, SO2 concentrations greatly exceed regulatory and guidance levels and suggest that further emissions control is warranted. Future recommendations include a more rigorous epidemiological study in Cura?ao and expand the air monitoring efforts to include areas upwind of the refinery as well as additional petrochemical emissions.