2004 UC Proceedings Abstract
Spatial Mapping of Ammonia Levels in Eastern North Carolina Track: Health and Human Services Author(s): Sacoby Wilson Human populations that reside near confined agricultural feeding operations (CAFOs) may be burdened by health hazards due to the release of air pollutants including ammonia and particulate matter. The overall goal of this research project is to improve the understanding of human exposure to ammonia (NH3) by characterizing ambient NH3 levels present in areas near CAFOs via environmental monitoring and GIS spatial analysis in Eastern North Carolina. 2003 NH3 data collected using passive diffusion techniques and meteorological data extracted from NC Climate Office database were utilized to develop an ammonia concentration model. ArcGIS 8.2 was used to provide a GIS modeling framework to predict NH3 concentrations at different locations in Eastern North Carolina. Kriging was shown to be a good statistical predictor of unknown NH3 levels in the study area. 2000 census block data will be used in conjunction with NH3 prediction maps to develop a population exposure model. Sacoby Wilson UNC, Chapel Hill Environmental Sciences & Engineering 1000 Smith Level Rd., Apt. C1 Carrboro , NC 27510 US Phone: 919 9602777 E-mail: smwilson@email.unc.edu |
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