AIR POLLUTION AND NON-CANCENOGENIC RISK ASSESSMENT IN INDUSTRIAL CITIES OF CHELYABINSK REGION

Aim: To estimate air pollution and calculate non-cancerogenic risks for health of the population in the industrial cities of Chelyabinsk region. Methods: The study was performed in the cities of Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk and Zlatoust. For calculation of levels of pollution of atmospheric air Average annual concentration of substances in the atmospheric air and their standard deviations were calculated. The frequency rate of excess of the actual average concentrations over maximum permissible concentration (MPC) was studied. Assessment of total pollution of atmospheric air in the cities has been carried out by calculation of composite indicator of air pollution (CIAP) for 2012-2016. Assessment of non-cancerogenic risk for health of the population was performed as specified in guidelines P2.1.10.1920-04. Results: No difference in qualitative composition of atmospheric pollutants between the cities was found. We observed, however, quantitative differences. The highest annual average chemical concentrations over the study period were determined in Magnitogorsk (CIAP = 9.3 ± 0.43) while the lowest level was recorded in Zlatoust (CIAP = 6.0 ± 0.38). Risk assessment has shown that the city of Magnitogorsk is the most polluted. The greatest risks were found for development delays, diseases of respiratory organs and diseases of central nervous system followed by diseases of gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Conclusion: High levels of air pollution were detected in the cities of Chelyabinsk region. Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk and Zlatoust had similar pollutants in the atmosphere, but important quantitative differences were observed. Magnitogorsk had an unacceptable level of non-cancerogenic risk, while Chelyabinsk and Zlatoust had high levels. Developmental delays and respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, the central nervous system diseases seem to be the main target systems.

pollution of atmospheric air, population health, non-carcinogenic risks, industrial cities of the Chelyabinsk region, Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk, Zlatoust