Atmospheric dispersion of chemical, biological, and radiological hazardous pollutants: Informing risk assessment for public safety

Abstract

Modern society is confronted with emerging threats from chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) hazardous substances, which are intensively utilized in the chemical, medical, and energy industries. The atmospheric dispersion of released CBR hazardous pollutants can influence a large percentage of the population owing to their rapid process with extensive spatial coverage. It is important to comprehensively understand the behaviors of the released CBR pollutants in the atmosphere to fully evaluate the risks and protect public safety. In this study, we reviewed the advancements in the atmospheric transport of CBR pollutants, including the urban atmospheric boundary layer, unique concepts, and models for CBR pollutants. We underlined the development of innovative methodologies (e.g., inverse estimation and data assimilation methods) for the atmospheric transport of accidentally released CBR pollutants to reduce uncertainties in emissions and accumulated errors during dispersion by combining numerical models with monitoring data. Finally, we introduced progress in quantitative risk assessment, including exposure assessment and dose-response relationships for CBR hazardous pollutants. A framework, source, assimilation, fundamentals, exposure, and risk (SAFER), has been proposed to integrate the key components in the risk assessment of airborne CBR hazardous pollutants. These methods and models can contribute to effective risk preparedness, prevention, evidence-based policymaking, and emergency response to airborne CBR pollutants.