Referans Bilgileri

Using Geographic Plume Analysis to assess community vulnerability to hazardous accidents

Chakraborty, J., Armstrong, M. P.

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

Cilt: 19, Sayı: 5-6, 341-356, 1995/11/12

This paper describes a methodology that can be used to determine the demographic composition of a population affected by the release of toxic substances at truck accident sites. In this Geographic Plume Analysis (GPA) approach, a chemical dispersion model provides a toxic dispersal "footprint", given information about local weather conditions and the type of chemical released. This footprint is superimposed on a demographic database to determine the composition of the affected population. The GPA approach is tested in the city of Des Moines, Iowa, to determine whether different racial and income groups are disproportionately affected by the hazards from accidents. The locations of 45 intersections that experienced the highest frequency of truck accidents from 1990 to 1992 were obtained. At each location, a plume footprint was generated, based on the release of chlorine, a commonly transported toxic material in Des Moines. Similar plumes were generated at 50 random locations in the city and similar estimates were made. The results indicated that areas most likely to experience exposure to hazardous materials transported by trucks were those with a higher proportion of minorities and low-income households, as compared to the city as a whole.

Elsevier Science Ltd.

DOI: 10.1016/0198-9715(95)00018-6

Makale

İlgili Kayıtlar

Konu Başlıkları

Yorumlar