Assessment of the public health risk caused by exposure to atmospheric emissions from an aluminum plant

Introduction. Aluminum production is accompanied by emissions of pollutants that can negatively affect the environment and public health.

The study aims to determine the impact of atmospheric emissions from an aluminum plant on the health of the population of the city of Novokuznetsk based on a risk assessment.

Materials and methods. The volume of maximum permissible emissions of the Novokuznetsk Aluminum Plant was used in the work. Experts calculated the maximum and average concentrations of substances at 40 exposure points. The maximum permissible concentrations of substances were determined in accordance with SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. The authors calculated the carcinogenic risk and the risk of non-carcinogenic effects in accordance with the Guidelines 2.1.10.1920-04. They carried out the classification of risk levels based on methodological recommendations 2.1.10.0156-19. 2.1.10.

Results. The authors have selected pollutants were for risk assessment: inorganic dust with a SiO₂ content of <20%, sulfur dioxide, benz(a)pyrene, hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, suspended solids, nitrogen oxide, carbon (soot). The maximum concentrations were 0.1–3.77 MPC for inorganic dust (SiO₂<20%), 0.1–2.64 MPC for hydrogen fluoride and 0.05–1.74 MPC for sulfur dioxide; average concentrations were up to 9.16 MPC for benz(a)pyrene. The hazard indices for acute exposure are at an acceptable level; For chronic exposures, they correspond to alarming and high levels, reaching the highest value (13.469) at a point located closer to the sources of emissions. Hazard indices for critical organs and systems in acute exposures are at acceptable or minimum (target) levels, in chronic exposures they correspond to alarming and high-risk levels. The respiratory and immune systems are most affected. The total individual carcinogenic risk ranges from 4×10^–7 to 8×10^–6, without exceeding the upper limit of the permissible risk. Residents of the Kuznetsk district of the city are most affected by emissions.

Limitations. The main limitation in the work carried out was the use of calculated concentrations of pollutants for risk assessment without the use of in-kind indicators.

Conclusion. Elevated concentrations of pollutants were detected in the atmospheric air of residential areas adjacent to the territory of the aluminum plant, which determine alarming and high levels of non-carcinogenic risk to public health.

Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Surzhikov D.V. — the concept and design of the study, the editing;
Kislitsyna V.V. — the concept and design of the study, writing the text, the editing;
Golikov R.A. — data collection and processing;
Likontseva Yu.S. — data collection and processing, writing the text;
Steiger V.A. — data collection and processing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 13.09.2024 / Accepted: 18.09.2024 / Published: 10.10.2024

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