Assessment of Industrial air Pollution in Da Lat City, Viet Nam by Using Air Dispersion Modeling

Abstract

Industry brings about pollution during its operation as well known. Specially, in the case that manufactories are scattered in residential area as occurring in Da Lat, a small city of Viet Nam (VN), the pollution becomes more harmful to human health. In order to clarify the air pollution level caused by industrial activities in the city, the project was designed to assess this air pollution by applying air dispersion modeling using BREEZE ISC model, an air pollution dispersion model developed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). A survey was carry out to identify significant industrial sources. Then the simulation of air dispersion was done for five pollutants namely carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM). The main inputs for the model include source data, meteorological data, and terrain data. For source data, pollution emission loads were obtained by using two main methods, rapid assessment and stoichiometric calculation. Meteorological data were collected from local meteorological station, excepting mixing height which was calculated based on the method that recommended by New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA). A digital terrain elevation file was built and a Cartesian grid network was set up. The results give a full picture of pollution emission loads and ambient air pollution concentrations that cause by industrial sources which information is the first step toward air pollution management in the city.