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Air Dispersion Modeling and Community Health Risk Assessment for Airborne Contaminants at Industrial Sterilization Facilities

Jun 29, 2026

Air Dispersion Modeling and Community Health Risk Assessment for Airborne Contaminants at Industrial Sterilization Facilities

RoseyFields conducted comprehensive environmental assessments of large-scale industrial operations, specifically focusing on commercial sterilization and medical device manufacturing facilities. Our team evaluated the historical release and atmospheric transport of toxic airborne contaminants, with a primary focus on ethylene oxide (EtO). We investigated decades of certified emissions data to quantify both fugitive and stack emissions, establishing a foundational understanding of the long-term chemical releases originating from these complex industrial sites.

To evaluate the inhalation exposure pathways and community impact, our team performed advanced air dispersion modeling and technical fate and transport analyses. We utilized regulatory-approved dispersion models integrated with facility-specific emission parameters, representative regional meteorological conditions, and detailed topographic terrain data. This rigorous environmental modeling allowed us to simulate the complex atmospheric transport of airborne chemicals and generate scientifically robust estimates of ground-level ambient concentrations. Building upon this modeling, we conducted comprehensive human health risk assessments, utilizing established risk equations and chemical-specific inhalation unit risks to calculate the excess exposure risks for surrounding populations.

Based on the results of our technical analyses, RoseyFields successfully identified and characterized the affected populations and potential exposure classes surrounding the sites. We evaluated the geographic scope of the impacted areas by mapping historical residential addresses against the modeled contaminant plumes to pinpoint specific exposure points. By overlaying continuous concentration gradients with individual exposure durations and historical residency data, our team was able to accurately delineate the boundaries of elevated risk zones. Because this methodology relies on a highly standardized and reproducible assessment framework, RoseyFields is uniquely positioned to assist clients with large quantities of demand letters when many different facilities of a similar nature need to be modeled and evaluated at scale.

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