Assessment of the health risk for the population of Kuzbass industrial centers due to ambient air pollution

Ambient air pollution in large industrial centers of Kuzbass poses a significant health risk. Kemerovo and Novokuznetsk are cities included in the Clean Air Federal Project where comprehensive action plans are being implemented to reduce pollutant emissions. In this regard, it is necessary to quantify the population health risk for subsequent development of measures aimed at reducing it. The aim of this study is to assess the health risk under exposure to chemicals that pollute the ambient air in large industrial centers in Kuzbass, which are included in the Clean Air Federal Project, for management decision-making. The hazard was identified and the levels of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk were established using the results obtained by laboratory tests of chemical air pollution at 12 stationary monitoring posts of the Federal Service for Hydro-meteorology and Rospotrebnadzor. Health risk assessment was carried out in accordance with the Guide R. 2.1.10.3968-23 Health Risk Assessment upon Exposure to Chemical Pollutants in the Environment for the period from 2022 to 2024. Several priority pollutants were identified including benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, nickel and its compounds, which formed unacceptable health risks and contributed from 25 to 89 % to the values of non-carcinogenic risk. Priority groups of diseases were established including diseases of the respiratory system, blood and blood-forming organs, congenital defects and malformations; the risk indicators established for them exceeded acceptable levels. The total carcinogenic risk of chronic inhalation exposure in Kemerovo (from 1.4•10-4 to 1.7•10-4) and Novokuznetsk (from 2.0•10-4 to 2.2•10-4) was characterized as alarming and unacceptable for the population, with a predominant contribution made by the chemical carcinogen formaldehyde, up to 63 %. Quantitative analysis of the health risk for the population of Kuzbass cities with developed industry caused by inhalation exposure to ambient air pollution made it possible to assess it as a factor of high probability of developing carcinogenic and chronic nonspecific diseases. The current levels of ambient air pollution require urgent measures to reduce and eliminate the negative impact on population health, such as reducing exposure doses of toxic substances and improving the quality of medical and preventive care.