COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF EMISSIONS OF POLLUTANTS ON THE AIR QUALITY OF THE KUIBYSHEVSKY DISTRICT OF SAMARA

Abstract

Introduction: Air quality in large urban settings is a considerable public health problem in Russia. Thus, identification of the main sources of pollution and qualitative assessment of their impact on air quality is of paramount importance. Aim: To perform comprehensive assessment of the influence of the main sources of pollutant emissions on air quality of atmospheric air in one of the districts in an industrial Russian city. Methods: Secondary data from the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Privolzhskoe UGMS" and the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Center of Epidemiology and Hygiene in the Samara Region" were obtained. Geographical maps, emission source location schemes, meteorological parameters, pollutant emissions and borders of sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises were analyzed. Chromatographic, electrochemical, and photometric analysis, laboratory determination of the concentration of pollutants in the atmospheric air in different periods of the year were performed taking into account changing meteorological conditions. Results: As many as 26 % of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere come from industrial sources while 45 % come from other anthropogenic sources including motor vehicles . Emissions from medium, small and microenterprises account for only 13 %, 9 % and 7 % of emissions, respectively. The most common pollutants were hydrogen sulfide, phenol, hydrocarbons C12-C19, formaldehyde andam- monia. Concentrations at the level of 0.2-0.4 MPC were found in most of the studied samples. In 16.4 % of the samples concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were up to 5.6 MPC. In the summer period with western and north-western winds, the concentration of pollutants was 15 % higher in all samples. In the cold period , with south-western and western winds excessive concentrations of pollutants in the atmospheric air was recorded in 23.3 % of the samples. Conclusions: Our findings suggest an adverse effect of air pollution on health of the residents of the studied district. Preventive measures in ecologically challenged areas of Samara are needed to preserve and promote health of the population.