THE USE OF NATIONAL POLLUTANT INVENTORY DATA IN ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELLING

Atmospheric dispersion modelling can be used to estimate the environmental impact of releases to air. The purpose of this paper is determine whether the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), Australia’s national database of pollutant releases, can be used for atmospheric dispersion modelling and, if so, the conditions that must be satisfied for it to be used effectively. The selection of emission estimation techniques (EETs) significantly affects the reliability of reported NPI emissions. The reliability of NPI data has improved as facilities gain a better understanding of the reporting process, as Industry Handbooks are reviewed and as facilities find beneficial uses for NPI data within their organisations. Although NPI data in isolation do not satisfy dispersion modelling requirements, it is likely that the necessary supporting information relating to variation in emissions and source characteristics will be obtained or calculated by industry as part of the NPI reporting process. Regulatory authorities may be able to obtain these data through other regulatory requirements. To lessen the burden on industry in collecting the necessary supporting information for regional dispersion modelling, environmental regulatory authorities could consider the coordinated collection, storage and updating of the necessary information. Dispersion modelling using NPI data may be associated with relatively large uncertainties. However, provided that the uncertainty in NPI emissions estimates is recognised and depending on the end use of the modelling, predictions based on these data could provide the basis for effective decision making