Comparative assessment of radiation and chemical risks in the city of Angarsk

This article presents a research on the environmental and radiation situation in the city of Angarsk, where the Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Combine (AECC) of the State Corporation ROSATOM is located. The paper summarizes environmental monitoring data as well as the data on emissions and discharges of main technogenic contaminants mainly covering the years 2013-2015. The enterprises generating the majority of contaminants polluting the city of Angarsk were identified. Besides technogenic emissions, vehicle emissions were also evaluated in this research. Surface concentrations of harmful contaminants in the city of Angarsk were calculated based on relevant meteorological parameters. The article also provides a survey of ambient air, surface water and soil quality. A specific methodology of comparative risk assessment approved by the authors was used to calculate and compare relevant radiation and chemical risks. Major factors having technogenic impact on the population were ranked. The paper demonstrates that fine particulates are mainly responsible for negative effects produced on human health. It was shown that AECC contributes to less than 1% of radiation risks. The technogenic risk estimates may be used to set priorities in the decision-making on public health and environmental protection policies. They can be also used to enhance state environmental monitoring programs in residential areas and their localities.