Rationale For a Regional Monitoring Program of Atmospheric Air Quality in the Dnepropetrovsk Region

Abstract

The air quality monitoring system in industrial cities is one of the systems for responding to risk factors in the public health system. The purpose of the study is, on the basis of a hygienic assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from exposure to specific pollutants in the cities of Dnipro, Kamenskoye, Kryvyi Rih, to substantiate a program for regional monitoring of atmospheric air quality. Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, the results of air quality studies in the largest industrial cities of the Dnipropetrovsk region – Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Kamenskoe for the period 2005-2019 were analyzed in terms of phenol, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and toluene, and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to public health were calculated in these cities. Results and discussion. According to the results of the study, individual carcinogenic risks in all three cities in terms of formaldehyde are medium, and in terms of benzene are high. The population carcinogenic risk ranges from 200-269 additional cases of cancer from exposure to formaldehyde and 3727-4426 additional cases of cancer from chronic inhalation exposure to benzene. The calculation of non-carcinogenic risks identified the priority specific air pollutants in the cities under study, as well as the main target organs. So the main systems that are influenced by the action of the studied chemicals are the central nervous system, the general development of the body and the blood system. Based on the risk assessment, it was established that it is necessary to include the Kamenskoye metro station for regional monitoring. It is necessary to include all pollutants from List A to the minimum list of investigated chemicals, and for the city of Dnipro and Kamenskoye it is additionally necessary to carry out studies of phenol, formaldehyde and toluene and in the city of Kryvyi Rih – formaldehyde and toluene. The mechanism of data processing and interaction between the subjects of monitoring has been substantiated for the timely identification of risks and the development of necessary preventive measures for risk management. Conclusion. It was found that carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks in industrial cities of the Dnipropetrovsk region are not acceptable. The existing monitoring system does not fully comply with the current requirements. The minimum program of the regional air quality monitoring system in the Dnipropetrovsk region has been scientifically substantiated