Exposure Assessment of Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Downwind of an Oil Refinery in Curaçao

Abstract

Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As such, several regional and global regulatory agencies have recommended ambient air limits to reduce environmental exposures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate ambient levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding an oil refinery on the island of Curaçao. Levels which were then compared to literature values and recommended public health guidelines to determine potential public health risks. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in Curacao were found to be among the highest globally with an increasing trend over time. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health risk from these levels of exposure, SO 2 concentrations greatly exceed regulatory and guidance levels and suggest that further emissions control is warranted. Future recommendations include a more rigorous epidemiological study in Curaçao and expand the air monitoring efforts to include areas upwind of the refinery as well as additional petrochemical emissions.

Levels and Sources of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Surrounding an Oil Refinery in Curaçao

“…These results are supported by previous studies evaluating other emission constituents (i.e. total suspended particulate, sulfate, chlorides, lead) which concluded the refinery affects a substantial portion of the western side of the island, and more so, those sites directly downwind of the refinery [9] [20] [21].…”

Contribution of amenable mortality to life expectancy differences between the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao and the Netherlands

“…For example, income distributions are far more unequal than in the Netherlands (27) and obesity is twice as prevalent in Curaçao than in the Netherlands (28). Also, sulfur dioxide emissions recorded in Curaçao are among the highest in the world (29). Observed differences in amenable mortality in cross-country comparisons, however, cannot be solely attributed to differences in disease incidence.…”

The Concentration of Black Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring Activities in Basra Province, Iraq

“…The main aring products are greenhouse gases and black carbon (BC) [5,6]. Flaring gas negatively affects human health, causing cancer, lung damage, neurological and skin problems, reproductive and blood issues, emphysema, bronchitis, respiratory irritation, asthma, shortness of breath, mortalities, and developmental effects [7][8][9]. Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are considered to be the primary sources of acid rain when they react with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric and nitric acids.…”