Tool 17 - Decision Support System for Industrial Pollution Control (DSS/IPC)

Description of DSS/IPC

The Decision Support System for Industrial Pollution Control (DSS/IPC) is useful software to set priorities among all industrial air emissions and to evaluate pollution control measures. The DSS/IPC contains databases with industrial emission factors for air and water. It also summarizes the emissions per production unit for each pollution control technology. The software allows the cities to complete a cost analysis that can be used to evaluate the different response options by including the cost in US dollars for each response option.

DSS/IPC allows emissions assessment to be done for over 300 pollutants including rare toxic substances emitted by specific industrial branches. The model contains a list of air quality guidelines and the facility for priority screening. It has the capability for comparative geographic analysis of emissions and ambient air concentrations.

To start using the software, the city must determine the specific area to apply the system. Depending on the meteorological conditions and the amount of polluting activities, the average air pollutant concentrations are calculated. This can then be compared with the air quality guidelines.

Potential Applications of DSS/IPC

• To serve as a database to record and keep track of industrial environmental data
  - The system was developed to assist environmental managers in making decision on pollution control in their communities.
• To be useful where no monitoring data and emissions assessments exits or where data and assessments are too costly to obtain.
  - The system includes an extensive database on which a preliminary analysis of the local situation can be performed.
• To support regulatory control/enforcement of existing emissions and ambient standards and/or the identification of air pollution problems requiring regulation.
• To support the design of environmental pollution oriented strategies
  - e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment, Land Use Planning and Environmental Sensitive Area Management.
• To facilitate understanding among non-specialists about the cause-effect links between economic activity and their environmental and health effects; as well as the potential economic impact of environmental policies on industrial activity in a given area.

Please note: the software has not been updated and the authors do not release it prior to update and validation. For updates check www.worldbank.org.