Assessment of Health Risks Formed by Traffic-Related Air Pollution in Kyiv, Ukraine

Abstract

Introduction: Consistent scientific evidence relates the occurrence of various health effects to the residential exposure to traffic emissions. This study investigated the association between the risk of development of adverse respiratory outcomes and exposure to traffic-related air pollutants in Kyiv, Ukraine. Methods: Human exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), formaldehyde and particulate matter (PM10) formed by road traffic was assessed in two districts of Kyiv city based on combination of outputs of ISC-AERMOD View dispersion model, designed LUR models and measurement campaign (2012-2014). According to health risk assessment methodology, for each pollutant noncancer risk levels were estimated as corresponding hazard quotients (HQ) for both acute and chronic exposure. Total chronic hazard was assessed as a hazard index (HI). Results: Acute exposure levels for all pollutants, except PM10, were below limit value (HQ<1) indicating that risks of development of acute health effects attributed to CO, NO2, SO2, NMHCs and formaldehyde in short-term period were at minimum. HQ for PM10 was between 1,2 and 1,4 pointing out the possible increase in the incidence of respiratory disorders. It was revealed that chronic exposure to traffic emissions resulted in increased risks of respiratory effects related to NO2 (HQ from 1,0 to 2,1), NMHCs (HQ from 1,0 to 3,2) and PM10 (HQ from1,1 to 1,3) pollution. Results showed that CO, SO2 and formaldehyde concentrations posed no significant risk (HQ<1). Hazard index for total chronic hazard was between 0,02 and 5,43 for the residences in close proximity to roads with intensive traffic that would lead to the up to 5 times increase in number of cases of respiratory diseases. Conclusions: This study showed that long-term traffic-related exposure was associated with increased risk of development of negative respiratory outcomes, primarily due to NO2, NMHC and PM10.