Case Study on Risk Assessment From Manganese Inhalation Impact on Childrenʼs Health

Abstract

O-29C7-1 Background/Aims: Manganese is neurotoxicant to which children are particularly susceptible. Metallurgical and chemical plants and burning of fossil fuels contribute to the increase of manganese concentrations in the ambient air of the cities. The aim of the study was to estimate the inhalation risk for the children's health formed by the ambient air pollution related to metallurgical enterprise emissions in one of the Ukrainian cities. Methods: US EPA Human Health Risk Assessment Methodology was applied as the main method. On the hazard identification stage manganese was identified as 1 of 8 priority pollutants emitted by this enterprise. Calculation of averaged concentrations was done in AERMOD View taking into account point source parameters, meteorological data, and terrain and land use peculiarities. Concentrations were calculated for 72 receptor points. Results: Daily averaged concentrations of manganese (0.33–6.98 ìêã/m3) were used for calculation for noncancer risk. It was defined that noncancer effects due to manganese presence in ambient air range from 7 to 138. Estimated risk was classified in 5 levels according to quantile distribution and overlaid with the layer of schools and kindergartens with the help of ArcGIS tools. Eight schools (3881 students) and 9 kindergartens (1295 children) situated in the first risk zone (HQ = 1–14). The second risk zone (HQ = 15–17) covers 8 schools (3681 students) and 13 kindergartens (2287 children); the third risk zone (HQ = 18–21)—7 schools (2720 students) and 4 kindergartens (603 children); the fourth (HQ = 22–30)—12 schools (7038 students) and 11 kindergartens (1212 children); and the fifth (HQ = 31–138)—1 school (645 students) and 3 kindergartens (557 children). Conclusion: This study defined inconsistency between Ukrainian hygienic regulations and referent concentrations that proved the need for harmonization. Health measures and prophylactic programs for children could be optimized by municipal administration taking into account the results of this study.