title: Testing the near field/far field model performance for prediction of particulate matter emissions in a paint factory.
abstract: A Near Field/Far Field (NF/FF) model is a well-accepted tool for precautionary exposure assessment but its capability to estimate particulate matter (PM) concentrations is not well studied. The main concern is related to emission source characterization which is not as well defined for PM emitters compared to e.g. for solvents. One way to characterize PM emission source strength is by using the material dustiness index which is scaled to correspond to industrial use by using modifying factors, such as handling energy factors. In this study we investigate how well the NF/FF model predicts PM concentration levels in a paint factory. PM concentration levels were measured during big bag and small bag powder pouring. Rotating drum dustiness indices were determined for the specific powders used and applied in the NF/FF model to predict mass concentrations. Modeled process specific concentration levels were adjusted to be similar to the measured concentration levels by adjusting the handling energy factor. The handling energy factors were found to vary considerably depending on the material and process even-though they have the same values as modifying factors in the exposure models. This suggests that the PM source characteristics and process-specific handling energies should be studied in more detail to improve the model-based exposure assessment.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark. jok@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Koivisto
authors.forename: A C Ø
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kling
authors.forename: M Dal
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Maso
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Koponen
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010150:Paint; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D052638:Particulate Matter