Monitoring of atmospheric air pollution and assessment of carcinogenic risks for the health of the population of the city of Lipetsk

Abstract

Technogenic pollution of the atmosphere is a priority risk factor for the health of the population of industrial cities. At the same time, there is insufficient scientific data characterizing the danger of air pollution by chemicals with a carcinogenic effect on humans. In this regard, the authors assessed the carcinogenic risks to the health of the population of the city of Lipetsk. As the initial data, we used information on the results of monitoring laboratory studies carried out by the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Lipetsk Region in 2017–2021. The carcinogenic risk was assessed in accordance with the provisions of Guideline Manual 2.1.10.1920-04 “Guidelines for assessing the risk to public health when exposed to chemicals that pollute the environment”. It was established that out of 6 laboratory controlled carcinogens in the air (formaldehyde, lead compounds, soot, chromium6+ compounds, benzene, benz-a-pyrene), there were facts of exceeding the maximum permissible risk (1 × 10-4) for formaldehyde concentrations (for children 6 years old up to 2.24 × 10-4, for adults up to 2.40 × 10-4), benzene (for children aged 6 years – up to 3.31 × 10-4, for adults – up to 3.54 × 10-4), soot (up to 1.15 × 10-4 and 1.23 × 10-4, respectively), benz-a-pyrene (up to 4.22 × 10-4 and 4.52 × 10-4, respectively). In this regard, for the territory of the city of Lipetsk, it is necessary to systematically monitor the concentrations of these carcinogens, to expand the network of route observation posts, as well as to take measures to protect the atmospheric air from pollution.