Historically, Ukraine has been a major source of industrial production for the former Soviet Union and the source of pollution associated with an aging industrial infrastructure. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Ukrainian Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) entered into partnership to develop Ukrainian expertise and capacity in risk assessment so that Ukraine could more effectively use its National and Regional Environmental Protection Funds and set priorities for cleanup and regulation. Ukrainian scientists, local officials, and EPA consultants conducted a pilot study in the heavily industrialized Zaporizhzhia Oblast so that the process, analytical tools, and approach for a risk assessment could be developed for and tailored to Ukrainian needs. As a first step, site-specific information was obtained from multiple sources of air pollution and an emissions inventory of air pollution developed. Efforts by local officials were critical for emissions inventory construction. After refinements were made to the inventory, Ukrainian scientists then performed exposure modeling using this information so that ambient concentrations of pollutants could be estimated. 11 industry types (i.e., enterprises) were identified as a major emission source. Results of the modeling effort demonstrated that emissions estimates of particulate matter (as measured by particles of less than 10 micron diameter or "PM 10 ") and a number of carcinogens were consistent with those from other cities with high concentrations of metallurgical industries in former Soviet Union countries, and were above safety standards. Hazard information was gathered from international databases for each of the estimated pollutants. Using such data, prioritization and identification of potential health concerns can be made, but most importantly, the expertise and experience gained from the pilot allowed for continued support of risk assessment capacity building in the Ukraine and support by the World Bank.
Background/aimDue to lack of PM monitoring process in Ukraine the aim of this work was to obtain information on the actual concentrations of PM10 and PM2,5 in one of the Ukrainian cities with the population under coal power plant exposure.MethodsDefinition of air pollution by PM10 and PM2.5 was conducted in the seven points located in operation zone of the TPP which were selected according to the algorithm including relief, infrastructure, meteo data.The study was conducted throughout the 2015 as a result it was managed to get the average annual concentration. Measurements of PM2,5 and PM10 concentration levels in the ambient air carried out using portable handheld analyzers Con.Tec Personal Dust Monitor PM10-PM2.5-PM1 (Italy).Measurements were carried out at the height of 1.2 to 1.8 metres from the ground in the human breathing area. Gathered measurements in real-time mode were conducted within one hour with an average of 1 min for 3 sequences per day.ResultsAs a result of the research, it has been established that:concentrations of PM10 were determined in the range of 11 to 67 μg/m3, PM2.5 – from 4 to 47 μg/m3. In this case, the excess of the recommended by the WHO levels of averaged concentrations PM10 and PM2.5 in the ambient air observed in 43% of measurements especially in the autumn–winter heating period;every 10 µg of concentration above normative increases the death rate by 0.6%. Accordingly, in the worst scenario with a concentration of 67 μg/m3 the mortality rate may increase by 2.82%.ConclusionBased on the foregoing, conclusions can be drawn on the need for implementation and expansion of monitoring programs measurements of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2,5) in the ambient air of Ukraine settlements. Mandatory review and approval of hygienic standards for PM10 and PM2.5, in accordance with Directives 2008/50/EU, 2001/80/EU, recommendations and requirements of WHO.
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