Date of Award
8-2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Environmental Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Major Professor
Kura, Bhaskar
Second Advisor
La Motta, Enrique
Third Advisor
McCorquodale, John A.
Abstract
Inhalation risks on human health for hazardous air pollutants emitted from MACT I petroleum refining industry were determined using EPA HEM-3 Program. Methodology included compiling vertical and fugitive emissions from 2002 National Emissions Inventory for sources inside two facilities in Louisiana, 'Motiva Norco' and 'Valero St. Charles' refineries. Six cases were modeled applying EPA criteria, where cancer risks are 'low' if the probability is. 1/1, 000, 000, and non-cancer risks are harmful when hazard quotient is > 1. It was demonstrated that fugitive emissions have more impact on human health than the verticals because of their significant portion of the total refining emissions. HAPs can cause moderate adverse effects in humans living nearby refineries, as 113 people resulted in high risk of respiratory problems with Valero emissions, 4571 people resulted in 'moderate' risk of getting cancer with Motiva emissions, 2702 people with Valero emissions, and 11, 282 people with both refineries' emissions.
Recommended Citation
Roa, Nadia C., "Human Health Risk Assessment for Petroleum Refining Industry of the Remaining Air Toxics after MACT I Emissions Reductions" (2008). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 849.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/849
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.