ASSESSMENT OF THE TOXIC INFLUENCE OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE SARATOV REGION DURING THE FOREST FIRES

Author(s):  
A. Yu. Karetnikova ◽  
E. S. Terekhina ◽  
N. V. Shlyapnikov ◽  
A. A. Voitovich

The article is devoted to the hygienic assessment of the potential risk of general toxic effects for the health of the population in the Saratov region as a result of action of pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen mono - and dioxides, ammonia, dust, formaldehyde) during forest fires. The relevance of this work is due to the significant role of forest fires in air pollution and the special vulnerability of the Saratov region to forest fires. The results of the study allow to judge the significant role of forest fires in air pollution in the Saratov region: there are significant excesses of the hygienic permissible levels of maximum single and average daily concentrations of pollutants (nitrogen mono- and dioxides, ammonia, dust, formaldehyde), which create an unfavorable environmental situation, contribute to the development and progression of many human diseases.

Author(s):  
Nataliia Karavan

The generalizing and comparative characteristic of the level of air pollution of the city of Kamianske is presented. The following indicators are analyzed: the dynamics of total emissions of pollutants; structure of emissions by individual types of pollutants; the level and dynamics of the index of air pollution by priority substances. It is emphasized that the main reason for the declining dynamics of gross emissions of pollutants in the city was the decrease in industrial production, primarily at PJSC “Dniprovsk Metallurgical Plant”. The main economic indicators of PJSC “Dniprovsk Metallurgical Plant” are analyzed and conclusions are drawn about the unsatisfactory financial condition of the enterprise. The dynamics of the main air pollutants of the city is studied. The structure of emissions into the air of the city is analyzed and it is concluded that the share of carbon monoxide is the largest in the structure of emissions of the city and significantly exceeds the national and regional level. In addition, there is an excess of average daily maximum permissible concentrations not only for carbon monoxide, but for other air pollutants, namely formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, phenol, ammonia. The dynamics of the index of air pollution by priority substances is analyzed. The following conclusions about the level and dynamics of this indicator in the cities of Dnipropetrovsk region are formulated: for the main cities-polluters of atmospheric air of the region the indicator is quite high, the level of which is characterized as “above average”; during the last three years for Kamianske and Kryvyi Rih the indicator had a steady upward trend; as of the end of 2020 year, the highest value of the indicator is 14.9, which characterizes the unsatisfactory air quality of Kamianske. The dynamics of change of positions of the city of Kamianske according to the index of air pollution in the national rating of cities-polluters is characterized. During the period under study, the city of Kamianske consistently occupied “high” positions: maximum – 1st place (2014 year), minimum – 4th place (2018, 2019 years). The article emphasizes that measures to reduce the level of air pollution in the city should be in line with the regional Program of Environmental Safety and Climate Change Prevention for 2016–2025.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cichowicz ◽  
Grzegorz Wielgosiński

Abstract Variations in immission fields resulting from emissions and pollutant dispersion in the atmosphere were investigated. The analysis was based on data from the four-year period covering the years 2012-2015, collected in two automatic atmospheric air monitoring stations, one located in Germany in Magdeburg which is the capital of Saxony-Anhalt and the other in Poland in Lodz, i.e. the seat of Lodz Region authorities. Selected immission monitoring stations in both cities are located in the areas with similar urban development and are characterized by high levels of pedestrian and car traffic. In both measuring stations the following atmospheric air pollutants were measured: PM10, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide, and ozone (carbon monoxide was analyzed only for the station located in Lodz). On the basis of the measured data the periodic exceedance of air pollution limit values measured at both monitoring stations were observed, as well as the levels of particular pollutants and changes in immission fields were analyzed. It seems that this information may be useful not only to the competent authorities of the country but also to the users of these areas.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipesh Rupakheti ◽  
Bhupesh Adhikary ◽  
Puppala S. Praveen ◽  
Maheswar Rupakheti ◽  
Shichang Kang ◽  
...  

Abstract. Lumbini, in southern Nepal, is a UNESCO world heritage site of universal value as the birthplace of Buddha. Poor air quality in Lumbini and surrounding regions is a great concern for public health as well as for preservation, protection and promotion of Buddhist heritage and culture. We present here results from measurements of ambient concentrations of key air pollutants (PM, BC, CO, O3) in Lumbini, first of its kind for Lumbini, conducted during an intensive measurement period of three months (April–June 2013) in the pre-monsoon season. The measurements were carried out as a part of the international air pollution measurement campaign; SusKat-ABC (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley – Atmospheric Brown Clouds). The ranges of hourly average concentrations were: PM10: 10.5–604.0 µg m−3, PM2.5: 6.1–272.2 µg m−3; BC: 0.3–30.0 µg m−3; CO: 125.0–1430.0 ppbv; and O3: 1.0–118.1 ppbv. These levels are comparable to other very heavily polluted sites throughout South Asia. The 24-h average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline very frequently (94 % and 85 % of the sampled period, respectively), which implies significant health risks for the residents and visitors in the region. These air pollutants exhibited clear diurnal cycles with high values in the morning and evening. During the study period, the worst air pollution episodes were mainly due to agro-residue burning and regional forest fires combined with meteorological conditions conducive of pollution transport to Lumbini. Fossil fuel combustion also contributed significantly, accounting for more than half of the ambient BC concentration according to aerosol spectral light absorption coefficients obtained in Lumbini. WRF-STEM, a regional chemical transport model, was used to simulate the meteorology and the concentrations of pollutants. The model was able to reproduce the variation in the pollutant concentrations well; however, estimated values were 1.5 to 5 times lower than the observed concentrations for CO and PM10 respectively. Regionally tagged CO tracers showed the majority of CO came from the upwind region of Ganges valley. The model was also used to examine the chemical composition of the aerosol mixture, indicating that organic carbon was the main constituent of fine mode PM2.5, followed by mineral dust. Given the high pollution level, there is a clear and urgent need for setting up a network of long-term air quality monitoring stations in the greater Lumbini region.


2016 ◽  
pp. 120-125
Author(s):  
N. L. Mamaeva ◽  
S. A. Petrov

In the article there were calculated near-surface concentrations of pollutants in the atmospheric air of Purovsk area, Jamal-Nenets Autonomous region. The purpose was to compare these with the maximum permissible concentration. The geo-ecological maps of dispersion of substances emissions into the air were made up using the unified program for calculating the air pollution taking into account the technical characteristics of sources and emissions themselves, natural, especially climate, conditions, as well as protection urban development activities and the lay of land. The conclusions were made about the excess in the atmosphere of maximum permissible concentration of solids on carbon monoxide in Purovsk, and on nitrogen dioxide in Purovsk, as well as in Ust-Purovsk Tazovskaya Guba permafrost areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr O. Karelin ◽  
A. Yu. Lomtev ◽  
M. V. Volkodaeva ◽  
G. B. Yeremin

The air pollution has got a great risk to the health of the population. In the risk assessment, objective and subjective uncertainties have appeared. The aim of the study to analyze the uncertainties arising in the assessment of health adverse effects of air pollution and possible ways to decrease them. Methods of the scientific hypothetical deductive cognition, general logical methods, and approaches of researches: analysis, synthesis, abstracting, generalization, induction. In this paper, we analyzed the uncertainties arising in the risk assessment for the health of population caused by air pollution and proposed measures to improve the approaches to assessment and management of the risk. The analysis revealed the main causes of the uncertainties. In the field of the atmospheric air monitoring, they are lack of modern equipment and officially approved methods for measurement, the absence of criteria and recommendation for choosing of controlled air pollutants. For the health assessment, it is advisable to use epidemiological methods and methodology of risk analysis taking into account the uncertainties of each approach. Usage of the geographic information systems let increase the informativity of data and efficiency of analysis. Accurate quantification of the risk for the health of population caused by air pollution is a difficult to challenge. It is necessary to take into account the experience of developed countries in the development of domestic criteria for the selection of substances for the control of atmospheric air quality. It is advisable to combine the analysis of data on the actual concentrations of pollutants obtained at stationary and mobile observation posts, and integrated calculations of air pollution. It is necessary to use basic concepts of evidence-based medicine to identify the real impact of air pollutants on public health and reduce uncertainties. Conclusion. In the assessment of risk for health caused by air pollution a lot of objective and subjective uncertainties appear. Based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, they should be comprehensively analyzed and minimized using modern methodological approaches, taking into account their capabilities and limitations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-23
Author(s):  
Josiah Marquis ◽  
Meriem Benlamri ◽  
Elizabeth Dent ◽  
Tharmitha Suyeshkumar

Almost half of the Canadian landscape is made up of forests, but the amount of forest surface area burned every year has been growing steadily since 1960.1 This can be problematic due to the effects that forest fires have not only on the local environment but also on the globe as a whole. A forest fire or vegetation fire is defined as any open fire of vegetation such as savannah, forest, agriculture, or peat that is initiated by humans or nature.2 Vegetation fires contribute heavily to air pollution and climate change and are in turn exacerbated by them as well. Air pollution increases due to emissions from these fires, which contain 90-95% carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide as well as methane and other volatile compounds.2 Emissions from forest fires also contribute to global greenhouse gases and aerosol particles (biomass burning organic aerosols),2 leading to indirect and direct consequences to human health. In contrast to biomass burning for household heating and cooking, catastrophic events of forest fires and sweeping grassland fires result in unique exposures and health consequences. In this case report, the relationship between environmental hazardous air pollutants and the potential physiological and psychological health effects associated with the forest fire that affected Fort McMurray, AB in May 2016 are considered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 818-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Vidale ◽  
Carlo Campana

Air pollution has a great impact on health, representing one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Previous experimental and epidemiological studies suggested the role of pollutants as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, international guidelines included specific statements regarding the contribution of particulate matter exposure to increase the risk of these events. In this review, we summarise the main evidence concerning the mechanisms involved in the processes linking air pollutants to the development of cardiovascular diseases.


Author(s):  
Maria-Viola Martikainen ◽  
Päivi Aakko-Saksa ◽  
Lenie van den Broek ◽  
Flemming R. Cassee ◽  
Roxana O. Carare ◽  
...  

The adverse effects of air pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are unquestionable. However, in recent years, indications of effects beyond these organ systems have become more evident. Traffic-related air pollution has been linked with neurological diseases, exacerbated cognitive dysfunction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the exact air pollutant compositions and exposure scenarios leading to these adverse health effects are not known. Although several components of air pollution may be at play, recent experimental studies point to a key role of ultrafine particles (UFPs). While the importance of UFPs has been recognized, almost nothing is known about the smallest fraction of UFPs, and only >23 nm emissions are regulated in the EU. Moreover, the role of the semivolatile fraction of the emissions has been neglected. The Transport-Derived Ultrafines and the Brain Effects (TUBE) project will increase knowledge on harmful ultrafine air pollutants, as well as semivolatile compounds related to adverse health effects. By including all the major current combustion and emission control technologies, the TUBE project aims to provide new information on the adverse health effects of current traffic, as well as information for decision makers to develop more effective emission legislation. Most importantly, the TUBE project will include adverse health effects beyond the respiratory system; TUBE will assess how air pollution affects the brain and how air pollution particles might be removed from the brain. The purpose of this report is to describe the TUBE project, its background, and its goals.


Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Novikova ◽  
◽  
Irina V. Shcherbakova ◽  

The aim of the work is to assess the contribution of emissions from forest fires to air pollution using the example of the territory of the Pribaikalsky National park. To achieve this goal, calculations of gross emissions were carried out based on forestry data on fires. With the help of the program complex «Ecologist» calculations of concentrations of impurities emitted into the atmosphere during forest fires were carried out. Based on the results of the calculations, maps of the concentrations of pollutants released into the atmosphere from fires were created. The analysis of the received results obtained allowed us to conclude that the established sanitary and hygienic standards were exceeded. Among the considered list of emissions, the maximum concentrations of acrolein, carbon monoxide, acetone, and nitrogen dioxide were revealed. The areas located in the zone of increased atmospheric pollution created by fires on the territory of the forestries of the Pribaikalsky National park were identified.


The purpose of this article is to highlight and analysis of trends in total emissions of polluting substances in atmospheric air of Mogilev region. The main material. A brief overview of Belarusian scientistsʹ research in the fi eld of geoecological conditions of atmospheric air is given in the article. The article deals with pollutants accumulation in the air of Mogilev region from various sources. Mobile sources (64.1% in 2015) are mainly responsible for air pollution in the region. In 2015 in comparison with 2010 there was a decrease in pollutant emissions as a result of transport functioning. Sources of pollutants accumulating in the air are exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, crankcase gases and fuel evaporation from fuel systems. Automobiles dominate in the structure of vehicles (85.3% in 2015). The article considers dynamics of pollutant emissions from stationary sources. The majority of pollutants are found in the air because of technological processes. Hydrocarbons and sulfur dioxide prevail in the structure of emissions of these sources. Chemical industry enterprises (Mogilev chemical fiber, Mogilev artificial fiber plant, etc.) are the sources of air pollution. Substances of the 4th and 3d danger classes predominate in the structure of pollutants in Mogilev region. Substances of the 1st and 2nd danger classes are insignificant. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research uneven territorial distribution of emission density of the main pollutants in the air of Mogilev region has been established. Kostiukovich and Krichevsk districts are characterized by high level of emission density of suspended substances, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide in the air from stationary sources. Cherikov district is characterized by a low level of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide emissions per unit area. 71.4% of the administrative districts of Mogilev region are characterized by an average density level of carbon monoxide emissions from stationary sources in relation to the average regional level, 14.3% of districts by lower level, 4.8% by low level and 9.5% by high level. It is advisable to improve the production technology, to equip enterprises with new gas cleaning facilities in order to reduce the anthropogenic load on the environment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document