The influence of different mixing heights on the ECOSENSE model results at a local scale

The ECOSENSE software has been created and applied as part of the European long term project called ExternE, a research program devoted to the assessment of external costs due to electricity production. The ECOSENSE model starts from the emission rates of a facility, calculates the yearly mean concentrations of the pollutants at the ground level on the basis of atmospheric dispersion models and characterises the subjects exposed to the pollutants in the considered area. After this, proper epidemiological exposure-response and toxicological dose-response functions are applied to determine the impact on the receptors. Finally, the methodology can monetise the calculated physical impact on the basis of selected economic evaluations. The aim of this study is to apply the software to real cases at a local scale and to compare the results based on different mixing height inputs, since the determination of this meteorological parameter is quite complex. Such a study is useful to have an idea of the sensitivity of the ECOSENSE model and make it a user-friendly instrument for administrations; this can help to create a harmonic approach to the problem of atmospheric pollution and impact evaluation. For specified facilities and meteorological conditions and, in particular, for a 100,000 t/y MSW incinerator, the mixing height can be approximated by a constant value of 1000 m throughout the year and the final results will have deviations that are lower than 10%.