title: Sensitivity of predicted bioaerosol exposure from open windrow composting facilities to ADMS dispersion model parameters.
abstract: Bioaerosols are released in elevated quantities from composting facilities and are associated with negative health effects, although dose-response relationships are not well understood, and require improved exposure classification. Dispersion modelling has great potential to improve exposure classification, but has not yet been extensively used or validated in this context. We present a sensitivity analysis of the ADMS dispersion model specific to input parameter ranges relevant to bioaerosol emissions from open windrow composting. This analysis provides an aid for model calibration by prioritising parameter adjustment and targeting independent parameter estimation. Results showed that predicted exposure was most sensitive to the wet and dry deposition modules and the majority of parameters relating to emission source characteristics, including pollutant emission velocity, source geometry and source height. This research improves understanding of the accuracy of model input data required to provide more reliable exposure predictions.
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom; Small Area Health Statistics Unit, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: p.douglas@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.tyrrel@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Tyrrel
authors.affiliation: Environment Agency, Evidence Directorate, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: rob.kinnersley@environment-agency.gov.uk.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kinnersley
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom; Department of Geography, Leicester University, Leicestershire, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mjw72@le.ac.uk.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: p.j.longhurst@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Longhurst
authors.affiliation: Environment Agency, Evidence Directorate, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kerry.walsh@environment-agency.gov.uk.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.pollard@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S J T
authors.initials: SJT
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.affiliation: School of Energy, Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom. Electronic address: g.h.drew@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Drew
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012987:Soil; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D012987:Soil
keywords: ADMS; Bioaerosol; Compost; Dispersion modelling; Sensitivity analysis