Assessment of the impact on the health of the population of emissions from rolling production of a metallurgical plant

Abstract

<jats:p><jats:bold>Introduction.</jats:bold> Th e development of the metallurgical industry in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, has led to a diffi cult environmental situation. Determining the relationship between exposure to atmospheric emissions and the health of the population based on the risk assessment methodology is an urgent hygiene issue.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold> The aim of the study</jats:bold> is to assess the risk of health problems from emissions from rolling production of a metallurgical plant.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Materials and methods</jats:bold>. We used data from the volume of maximum permissible emissions of the enterprise. Calculations of maximum single and average annual concentrations of pollutants were carried out using the program “ECOcenter-Standard”. Public health risks were calculated and compared with acceptable values. Th e work also determined the values of risk levels taking into account background concentrations.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results.</jats:bold> Priority pollutants were identifi ed: diiron trioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, benz(a)pyrene. Th e maximum one-time and average annual concentrations of substances at the selected calculation points were determined, and the maximum permissible concentration of diiron trioxide was found to be exceeded. Immediate action risk levels are zero. The highest risk levels of chronic intoxication, expressed as a percentage of a unit, are observed from exposure to diiron trioxide (0.004-0.043) and nitrogen dioxide (0.001-0.012). The maximum total level of risks of chronic intoxication (0.012) is observed at the point of exposure to concentrations #3 from the infl uence of nitrogen dioxide, which is due to the close location of pollution sources. The carcinogenic risk from exposure to benz(a)pyrene ranges from 1×10-8 to 9×10-8 (as a fraction of a unit). The combined values of carcinogenic risk and immediate action risk are below the acceptable risk level. In seven points of exposure to concentrations, the total risk of chronic intoxication exceeds the acceptable level by 1.10-3.45 times.</jats:p><jats:p>The greatest risk of immediate action, taking into account background concentrations, is observed from the action of carbon monoxide and benz(a)pyrene. Th e carcinogenic risk exceeds the acceptable level by 6-12 times. The risk of chronic intoxication, taking into account the background, exceeds an acceptable level. Th e highest total risk levels are typical for the Kuznetsky district of Novokuznetsk. </jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions</jats:bold>. Atmospheric emissions fr om rolling mill production contribute to air pollution in the city, increasing the risk of chronic intoxication.</jats:p>