ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH RISKS DUE TO HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FROM ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from electric utilities were e valuated. Cancer risks, as well as noncancer effects, due to inhalatio n exposure were assessed for 67 HAPs. Also, cancer risks due to multip athway exposure to radionuclide emissions were assessed. In addition, an assessment of the fate of mercury (Hg) through various environmenta l media was included. Results suggest arsenic, chromium, and nickel ar e the HAPs that present the highest cancer risk due to inhalation expo sure. For noncancer effects due to inhalation exposure, hydrogen chlor ide appears to present the greatest potential concern. The risks due t o multipathway exposure to radionuclides are estimated to be of simila r magnitude to the risks posed by inhalation of arsenic and nickel. Me rcury is of potential concern for multipathway exposures because it pe rsists in the environment and bioaccumulates in the aquatic food web. The study suggests there is a plausible link between Hg emissions from utilities and the Hg found in soil, water, and freshwater fish.