Trend in indices of public health risk caused by air pollution in an industrial center

Introduction. In industrialized regions and cities, atmospheric air pollution greatly contributes to the hazard for public health.

The study aim was to assess the state of the atmospheric air in the city of Novokuznetsk over 2017–2022 and determine the levels of risks to public health.

Materials and methods. Data on gross atmospheric emissions and average annual concentrations of the substances was taken from the reports on the state of the environment of the Kemerovo region and Novokuznetsk. Maximum permissible concentrations of atmospheric pollutants were determined according to SanPiN 1.2.3685–21. Calculations of the risks to public health were carried out in accordance with Guideline P 2.1.10.1920–04. The classification of risk levels was carried out on the basis of MR 2.1.10.0156–19. 2.1.10.

Results. Decrease in total atmospheric emissions from 2017 to 2022 amounted to 50.1 thousand tons (about 16%). At the same time, there was revealed an excess of the average annual maximum permissible concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (3.5-11.2 times); formaldehyde (1.7 and 3.4 times over 2021 and 2022, respectively); suspended substances (1.6 and 2.0 times in 2021 and 2022, respectively); hydrogen fluoride (1.2 times in 2021); nitrogen dioxide (1.6 times in 2022). The hazard coefficients of benzo(a)pyrene were 3.5–11.2 (high level of non-carcinogenic risk); formaldehyde and suspended substances — 1.1–3.0 (alarming level). In 2022, the hazard coefficient for formaldehyde was 3.4 (high risk level), suspended substances — 2.0, nitrogen dioxide — 1.6 (alarming risk level). Hazard indices of pollutants were detected in the range from 7.0 to 20.1 (high level of risk). The main critical organs and systems were the immune system (hazard indices were 4.0–14.6), development during childhood (hazard indices — 3.5–11.2), respiratory organs (hazard indices — 3.0–8.6). These risk levels range from alarming to high. The highest total individual carcinogenic risk (1.6•10^–4) was determined in 2021 (alarming level), the main contribution is made by formaldehyde.

Limitations. In 2022, there were no data on carbon (soot) concentrations, so the level of total carcinogenic risk this year cannot be considered to be correct.

Conclusion. Reducing the total volume of atmospheric emissions does not provide a significant effect on improving the environmental situation and public health, since high concentrations of pollutants remain in the city’s atmosphere. When implementing air protection measures, it is necessary to take into account risk criteria.

Compliance with ethical standards. This study did not require an Ethics Committee opinion.

Contribution:
Kislitsyna V.V. — concept and design of the study, writing the text;
Surzhikov D.V. — concept and design of the study, editing;
Likontseva Yu.S. — collection and processing of material;
Shtaiger V.A. — collection and processing of material.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: December 18, 2023 / Revised: April 3, 2024 / Accepted: April 9, 2024 / Published: May 8, 2024