KC Donnelly Externship - LSU SRP MATHIEU: AERMOD spatial predictive model for airborne exposure to PCBs

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Project Description (Abstract) AERMOD is the most widely applied U.S. EPA regulatory model to predict the dispersion of airborne pollutants from a point source. The Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP) has extensive experience running AERMOD, the primary model used by ISRP to predict airborne PCB congener concentrations. The applicant’s research at the Louisiana State University Superfund Research Program (LSU SRP) consists of performing spatial and statistical modeling of particulate matter components to understand exposure to emissions from an open burn/open detonation hazardous waste thermal treatment facility in rural Colfax, LA. As part of her dissertation, Ms. Martine Mathieu will develop a hybrid exposure assessment model integrating surface-level measurements with the AERMOD dispersion model to provide a robust prediction of concentrations as surrogates for estimated exposures. Drawing on ISRP’s experience with AERMOD, the overarching objective of the Externship is to learn to predict air pollutant exposure using the AERMOD atmospheric dispersion model. This externship will enable the applicant to learn about requirements for model inputs, construction of AERMOD inputs, implementation of the model, and quality assurance of the results. With current research interests in hybrid approaches to spatial air pollution models, the new skills gained through the Externship will add value to Ms. Mathieu’s research career and professional goals. Furthermore, Ms. Mathieu’s experience through the KC Donnelly Externship will enhance long-term collaboration between the LSU SRP and the ISRP through community engagement experiences and further research collaboration centered around modeling, including journal publications, that will provide insights for similar studies and comparable sites.