Preliminary validation of modelled environmental PM_(10) arsenic trioxide (As_2O_3) dust fallout from a copper smelter in Namibia

摘要

A smelter treating complex, non-ferrous, arsenic (As) containing copper concentrate is examined with a focus on ambient arsenic emission impacts. Data from the smelter's environmental department and a recent independent emissions modeling using an Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling system are compared. Comparison is also made with reference values for environmental As in air. Modeled airborne arsenic emissions appear to lack validity when compared to measured As in PM10. Arsenic values appear to fall within an order of magnitude of appropriate reference values. It is argued that more accurate measures of As exposure are beneficial for understanding risk, evaluating interventions aimed at reducing exposures, and for improving communications between stakeholders including management, regulatory authorities and those exposed.