PROBLEMS OF ENDOGENOUS FIRES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORE DEPOSITS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE HYGIENIC ASSESSMENT OF THE EMERGENCY, THE EMISSION OF SULFUR-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Introduction. In the development and operation of ore deposits, there is a risk of adverse effects from the occurrence of endogenous mine fires (spontaneous combustion of ore), as a result of which there are emissions of significant amounts of harmful and poisonous gas-dust impurities into the atmosphere. This study was conducted in connection with the current unfavorable sanitary and epidemiological situation in the city of Sibay of the Republic of Bashkortostan, due to the decay of sulfur-containing ore of the underground mine. The purpose of the study is to assess the ecological and hygienic situation associated with air pollution by the decay products of the ore rock of the Sibai underground mine. Material and methods. The assessment of the level of air pollution in residential areas of Sibai was carried out on the basis of the analysis of monitoring data of 4 independent laboratories (more than 40000 samples from atmospheric air). Calculations and assessment of public health risk were carried out in accordance with the Guidelines 2.1.10.1920-04. Statistical processing was carried out using the software “Microsoft Excel”. Results. During the period of an intensive decay of the ore rock of the Sibay underground mine in the atmospheric air of some areas of the city, there were found concentrations of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide exceeding hygienic standards (maximum permissible concentration) by 30 or more times and 80 or more times correspondingly. The values of hazard indices in relation to the respiratory system when combined inhalation substances: hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide were ranging from 0,3 (acceptable risk) to 18,4 (high risk). Sulfur dioxide (the hazard ratio to 14.0) and hydrogen sulfide (the hazard ratio to 6.6) made the greatest contribution to the formation of a health risk. Conclusion. There is a high tendency to spontaneous combustion - the emergence of endogenous fires for copper-pyrite deposits represented by pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite. The decay of the ore rock of the Sibay underground mine resulted in air pollution of residential areas with hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, which contributed to the formation of an increased non-carcinogenic risk to public health.