Hygienic health risk distribution due to atmospheric air pollution in low-lying cities

¹ Saratov Hygiene Medical Research Center of the Federal Budget Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies», 410022, Saratov, Zarechnaya, 1a, Russian Federation
² Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky, 410012, Saratov, Bolshaya Kazachya, 112, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: aleteia@inbox.ru

Abstract

The total excess of components which pollute the atmospheric air of the city of Saratov has been increasing from May to October and is most evident for the locations of transport interchanges. The allocation of polluting components of atmospheric air corresponds to the distribution model of structural basin cities. The hazardous level of non-carcinogenic health risk caused by inhalation of substances polluting the atmospheric air of Saratov (HQ>1) is determined by the existence of nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Non-carcinogenic risk of hazard has a tendency to increase in the warm season – from May to July), as well as in the winter period (January-February). The carcinogenic health risk associated with the existence of formaldehyde in the air exceeds the upper limit of the permissible risk. The highest values of the carcinogenic risk match the monitoring points situated near motorways. This may be due to photochemical processes involving the results of incomplete fuel combustion in engines, in which formaldehyde is formed. The anticipated increase in respiratory morbidity due to chronic inhaled exposure to NO2 in children aged 6-7 years ranges from 44 to 79 percent, while the grow-up rates are higher in girls.