Statistical analysis of Samara River pollution impact on the population morbidity rate in Western Donbas (Ukraine)

Abstract

The anthropogenic load on natural environment has reached a level that threatens the population health. The main causes of water sources pollution are the discharge of untreated or insufficiently treated wastewaters by industrial enterprises. These and other reasons lead to the spread of various types of diseases among the population. A cause-and-effect relationship between the qualitative and quantitative state of the surface waters of the Samara River and certain diseases of the population living in the Western Donbas region has been established. The method of statistical analysis based on Pearson correlation has been applied. Reliable correlation between the pollutants content in surface waters of Samara River and the increase of the population diseases in the investigated territory has been proven. With high degree of probability, the following diseases are closely related to water quality: diseases of the blood, hematopoietic organs and disorders of immune system; diseases of endocrine system, digestive and metabolic disorders; circulatory system and digestion diseases; diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The obtained results indicate the need for further research taking into consideration the regional specificity of conditions and factors of environmental pollution, development of advanced water treatment to reduce the morbidity rate of the population.