Assessment of carcinogenic health risk for population living in monocities and rural settlements

Our research goal was to perform assessment of carcinogenic health risk for population living in monocities and rural settlements in Orenburg region including both total and individual carcinogenic risk assessment. We assessed carcinogenic health risks for population living in cities with industrial enterprises as economic bases (Novotroitsk and Mednogorsk) and rural settlements (Oktyabrskiy, Ilekskiy, and Tyul'ganskiy districts) in Orenburg region. Exposure assessment was based on the data obtained via laboratory research of environmental objects over 2005-2013 (1,265 atmospheric air samples and 1,897 drinking water samples). We determined total carcinogenic risks for population on each territory under multi-environment impacts exerted by chemicals; a share of each chemical in risk formation was also identified. The results we obtained allow us to make a conclusion that monocities' areas are unfavorable in terms of carcinogenic effects on population health. We detected priority carcinogens for each territory in order to work out practical recommendations on lowering carcinogenic risks and on possibility of delayed effects evolvement. Carcinogenic risk caused by chemicals contained in drinking water both in monocities and rural settlements was considered to be acceptable; however, it was 1.5-2 times higher for monocities population. Overall, chromium took the leading role among carcinogens in monocities air; benzene and arsenic occupied the same place in rural settlements air. Chromium, benzpyrene, and arsenic were priority carcinogens contained in drinking water in rural settlements. Our research proves the necessity to work our practical recommendations on lowering carcinogenic risks and on possibility of delayed effects evolvement on regional level.