A multimedia, multiple pathway exposure and risk assessment using EHHRA-GIS: a real case of contamination due to an industrial facility

摘要

The aim of this paper is to briefly introduce the software EHHRA-GIS which has been thought to evaluate and map risk on a territory. This tool is a Geographical Information System software package specifically designed to estimate potential human health risk from the management of industrial pollution. It employs an integrated, multimedia fate and transport modelling, multi-exposure pathways, and a multiple-receptors risk assessment model to evaluate risks may occur from long-term multimedia releases of chemicals from industrial emissions. To detail capabilities of numerical code the paper shows the application at a well known case of contamination. In particular the paper describes the results of the multi-pathway risk assessment, that estimates the upper-bound excess life cancer risk and the hazard quotient, for an industrial site of our country characterised by a soil and atmospheric contamination. It shows the advantages and high potential of EHHRA-GIS over more conventional methods and some innovative developments such as the use of map-based fate and transport modelling and of georeferenced data, the mapping of risk and the techniques of spatial analysis. The example shows in which way the tool can help local planning authorities and policy makers in managing and planning remedial and risks reduction actions.