Ranking of territories in the Voronezh region by the incidence rates resulting from chemical load

Abstract

Numerous studies conducted by domestic and foreign researchers report the influence of environmental pollution on shaping morbidity of a population. The study was aimed to rank the territories of the Voronezh Region by the incidence rates probably resulting from chemical pollution of atmospheric air, drinking water, soils in residential areas recorded in 2018–2022. The districts were divided into three groups based on the long-time annual average incidence rates. The degree of correlation between the disease entities and the chemical environmental factors was determined through correlation analysis. The findings have shown that the city of Voronezh and Pavlovsky District are the territories at risk of the disorders with the etiology that is likely to be associated with chemical air pollution. The territories at risk of the disorders that are likely to be associated with chemical pollution of drinking water include Kashirsky, Kantemirovsky, Olkhovatsky, Ternovsky, Khokholsky districts, while the territories at risk of the disorders that are likely to be associated with chemical pollution of soils in residential areas include the city of Voronezh, Borisoglebsky city district, Liskinsky and Rossoshansky districts. The situation observed in the above administrative territories requires in-depth study of the degree of the impact of chemical factors on public health and identification of the sources of these factors. The findings can be used to develop the guidelines on minimization of the adverse effects of chemical environmental factors on public health in the region.