Residents’ Self-Reported Health Effects and Annoyance in Relation to Air Pollution Exposure in an Industrial Area in Eastern-Estonia

Abstract

Eastern Estonia has large oil shale mines and industrial facilities mainly focused on electricity generation from oil shale and shale oil extraction, which produce high air pollution emissions. The “Study of the health impact of the oil shale sector—SOHOS” was aimed at identifying the impacts on residents’ health and annoyance due to the industrial processing. First, a population-wide survey about health effects and annoyance was carried out. Second, the total and oil shale sectors’ emitted concentrations of benzene, phenol, and PM2.5 were modelled. Third, the differences between groups were tested and relationships between health effects and environmental pollution studied using multiple regression analysis. Compared to the control groups from non-industrial areas in Tartu or Lääne-Viru, residents of Ida-Viru more frequently (p < 0.05) reported wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, a long-term cough, hypertension, heart diseases, myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes. All health effects except asthma were reported more frequently among non-Estonians. People living in regions with higher levels of PM2.5, had significantly higher odds (p < 0.05) of experiencing chest tightness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.26), shortness of breath (1.16, 1.03–1.31) or an asthma attack (1.22, 1.04–1.42) during the previous year. People living in regions with higher levels of benzene had higher odds of experiencing myocardial infarction (1.98, 1.11–3.53) and with higher levels of phenol chest tightness (1.44, 1.03–2.00), long-term cough (1.48, 1.06–2.07) and myocardial infarction (2.17, 1.23–3.83). The prevalence of adverse health effects was also higher among those who had been working in the oil shale sector. Next to direct health effects, up to a quarter of the residents of Ida-Viru County were highly annoyed about air pollution. Perceived health risk from air pollution increased the odds of being annoyed. Annoyed people in Ida-Viru had significantly higher odds of experiencing respiratory symptoms during the last 12 months, e.g., wheezing (2.30, 1.31–4.04), chest tightness (2.88, 1.91–4.33 or attack of coughing (1.99, 1.34–2.95).

Cancer Incidence Trends in the Oil Shale Industrial Region in Estonia

“…If we take a look at the public health status of the population in Ida-Viru County, it is in many ways worse than in the rest of the country (e.g., life expectancy is four years lower than in the capital area) [15,16,79,80]. Several studies [79,81] have indicated that lower education could be an obstruction to better health-related behavioural choices.…”

“…Although the environmental quality in the region has improved, and the volumes of excavation are still lower than in the 1980s, the health impacts remain [15,16].…”

“…According to IARC, some petroleum products, such as gasoline and heavy fuel oils (including shale oil), contain toxic substances such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [21]. These products have been released into the outdoor air in the oil-shale region [16], and even higher exposures have happened in workplaces [22,23]. Benzene, as well as many of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is classified as carcinogenic [24,25], and shale oil itself has shown indications of mutagenicity [26].…”

Machine Learning for Epidemiological Analysis in The Industrial Area for a Sustainable Life

“…Recent published papers related to epidemiological studies in the industrial area has been taken and reviewed its background and objectives, data collection methods, and measures taken to analyse the collected data. Articles that have been reviewed in this section performs statistical regression analysis with evaluation measures, an odds ratio and a confidence interval (95%) to identify the association between risk factors and related diseases [7]- [13]. A combination of questionnaire study and air pollution exposure assessment using a dispersion model were used as materials for epidemiological studies that associates air pollution caused by industries and related health issues of individuals living in the proximity of it in [7]- [9], [11], [13].…”

Human Biomonitoring in the Oil Shale Industry Area in Estonia—Overview of Earlier Programmes and Future Perspectives

“…Ambient air quality affects health, as toxic substances entering the respiratory tract can also reach other organs through the bloodstream, and cause various health problems and diseases (3). Health effects, related to the oil shale sector, have been studied in Estonia; studies suggest poorer health indicators, including increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease prevalence and a decrease in life expectancy (4). In addition, children living in the area have a higher risk of developing asthma (5,6).…”