Non-carcinogenic Substances Research Articles

Health risks associated with hazardous airborne chemicals in beauty salons: A pilot study in Kuwaiti salons

The beauty industry has become increasingly popular in recent years, leading to a surge in salon visits for various beauty treatments. However, public concerns were raised about the possible health dangers linked to the widespread use of harmful chemicals in beauty salons. To address these concerns, a pilot study was conducted in Kuwait to evaluate and identify the ten most commonly occurring hazardous airborne chemicals in different beauty salons. Air samples were gathered from inside and outside ten beauty salons situated in diverse regions of Kuwait, covering various periods, including working hours, non-working hours, and a continuous 24-h period. The study used diffusion tubes for sampling and employed the thermo-desorption gas chromatograph/mass spectroscopy technique (TD-GC/MS) to identify the chemical compounds. In addition, the measured concentration of compounds was utilized to assess the potential inhalation health risks associated with both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances, employing the USEPA Cancer Risk Indicator (CRI) and Hazard Quotient Indicator (HQI). The findings indicated that indoor concentrations of hazardous chemicals were significantly higher than those recorded outdoors. A total of 55 hazardous chemicals were detected in the indoor air quality inside beauty salons, and benzene concentrations exceeded ACGIH thresholds, suggesting a potential health concern. Although concentrations of toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene, and o-xylene remained below NIOSH recommendations, health risk assessments indicated the potential carcinogenicity of three compounds in the indoor air of beauty salons: benzene, ethylbenzene, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Additionally, 15 compounds were identified by non-carcinogenic risk assessments, such as ethyl acetate and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. These findings emphasize the urgency of implementing measures to address the exposure in Kuwait's beauty salons and conducting further research.

Impact of particle size on heavy metal contamination in human health from sandstorms in Iraq

BackgroundThe Middle East, including Iraq, is undergoing significant climate change, which has accelerated desertification, drought, and dust storms. Rapid industrialization and urbanization, which frequently contaminate the atmosphere with hazardous metals, are to blame for these changes. MethodsThe human health risks of six common heavy metals, including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), were examined in dust particles that were collected from five major administrative districts in Iraq in order to understand the impact of particle size on heavy metals in a sandy dust storm. The hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (RI) were used to evaluate the health risk for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances. Resultssmaller particles' Cu and Cd concentrations generally increased from 63 μm to 75 μm, and the maximum Cr content was discovered in the particles (75 μm). The HI values of heavy metals were less than 1 and suggested that these elements did not offer a non-cancer risk to either adults or children. TCR values for Ni were higher than 1 × 10−6 in particle size (63 μm, 75 μm, and 200 μm) for children. Moreover, TCR values for Cr were higher than 1 × 10−6 in particle size (63 μm and 200 μm) with the exception that Cr in all sites were higher than TCR 1 × 10−4 in particle size (75 μm) for children ConclusionThe amounts of six metals varied according on the size of the dust storm's particles. Given their health hazard, these metals' health concerns, particularly those of chromium and nickel for children, should receive significant attention.

Оценка профессиональных рисков возникновения болезней органов дыхания

The article discusses a new approach to assessing occupational risk by chemical factor, including a preliminary qualitative analysis of substances in two groups: carcinogens and non-carcinogens. An example of classification of substances according to the characteristics of the impact on the organs and systems of an employee is given using the example of an oil refinery, the mathematical apparatus for calculating non-carcinogenic risks from substances that affect the respiratory organs. The construction is described related to the fuzzy model with two input parameters (chemicals and suspended substances) and the output parameters. Modeling includes 4 stages: phasification; building a base of fuzzy production rules; composition using aggregation methods; dephasification. A variant of phasification of three selected parameters of personnel health risk assessment is proposed: «low», «medium», «high». In an interactive mode, the development and visualization of a fuzzy inference system for the problem being solved was carried out using graphical tools of the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox extension package for the MATLAB computer mathematics environment. Visual dependences of the output parameter on the influence of harmful non-carcinogenic substances were obtained: fuzzy output table, 3D fuzzy output surface. The proposed model can be built into the existing methodology for assessing the occupational risk of an enterprise, adapted to carcinogenic substances, or supplemented with other input parameters characterizing working conditions.

Non-regulated aromatic amines in clothing purchased in Spain and Brazil: Screening-level exposure and health impact assessment

The staggering amount of chemicals in clothes and their harmful effects on human health and the environment have attracted the attention of regulatory agencies and the scientific community worldwide. Azo dyes are synthetic dyestuffs with widespread use in textile industries, currently classified as emerging pollutants of great health concern to consumers. These compounds may release one or more aromatic amines (AAs) after reductive cleavage of their azo bounds. Twenty-two AAs have already been regulated due to their carcinogenic effects. However, since information on their potential toxicity is not currently available, several AAs have not been still regulated by the European Union. Considering this gap, the present study aimed to assess the levels of forty non-regulated AAs in 240 clothing items from Spain and Brazil. The potential impact on the health of vulnerable population groups after dermal exposure to those garments was also evaluated. In Brazil, at least one AA was detected in the clothes, while in samples obtained in Spain, only two of them showed values below the limit of detection for AAs. In 75 clothes, at least one of the measured AAs was higher than the hazardous threshold (30 mg/kg), which can mean risks to human health since these compounds are suspected to be mutagenic. Aniline, the most common AA, showed a high detection rate (82%) in clothes, with significantly higher concentrations in items commercialized in Brazil (0.35 vs. 0.17 mg/kg; p = 0.032). Moreover, o-aminobenzenesulfonic and p-phenylenediamine, suspected mutagenic, were found at relevant concentrations in several clothes, mainly made of synthetic fibers. In this study, the hazard index associated with exposure to AAs through clothing was low (0.006–0.13) for all the population groups of both countries in the medium-bound scenario. However, its value was close to 1 for Brazilian pregnant women (0.998) when the maximum concentration value was considered under an upper-bound scenario. The risk of exposure to non-regulated AAs may be underestimated since only dermal exposure was considered for risk assessment. Moreover, the co-occurrence of other carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances present in skin-contact clothes should mean an additional source of potential risk.

The Application of Reference Dose Prediction Model to Human Health Water Quality Criteria and Risk Assessment.

Oral reference dose (RfD) is a key parameter for deriving the human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for non-carcinogenic substances. In this study, a non-experimental approach was used to calculate the RfD values, which explore the potential correlation between toxicity and physicochemical characteristics and the chemical structure of pesticides. The molecular descriptors of contaminants were calculated using T.E.S.T software from EPA, and a prediction model was developed using a stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) approaches. Approximately 95% and 85% of the data points differ by less than 10-fold and 5-fold between predicted values and true values, respectively, which improves the efficiency of RfD calculation. The model prediction values have certain reference values in the absence of experimental data, which is beneficial to the advancement of contaminant health risk assessment. In addition, using the prediction model constructed in this manuscript, the RfD values of two pesticide substances in the list of priority pollutants are calculated to derive human health water quality criteria. Furthermore, an initial assessment of the health risk was performed by the quotient value method based on the human health water quality criteria calculated by the prediction model.

Drinking water quality assessment according to water quality index and health risk assessment: а case study of Pedro Vicente Maldonado canton, Ecuador

The effluent water quality of a treatment plant in a canton of Ecuador according to water quality index (WQI) and health risk assessment was investigated in this study. The quality of the influent and effluent water of the treatment plant was monitored monthly from January 2017 to December 2019. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters, such as temperature, pH, turbidity, color, suspended solids, electrical conductivity, free chlorine, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia nitrogen, sulfates, fluorides, manganese, iron, fecal coliforms and total coliforms were determined. To evaluate the impacts of studied water on human health, health risk assessment for non-cancerogenic elements, including hazard index (HI) and risk of olfactory-reflex effects for organoleptic indicators were performed in accordance with Russian and foreign guidelines. Water quality parameter results were compared with WHO drinking water standards, revealing that the influent was contaminated microbiologically and other parameters such as color, turbidity, and iron were also above the limit values. The WQI results showed that water after purification is suitable for drinking (I class - excellent). Hazard Index (HI) results showed that the non-carcinogenic substances studied had a low risk for both adults and children (1). Additionally, the risk of olfactory-reflex effect was characterized as acceptable for all the collected purified water samples.

Characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in atmospheric particulate matter in different regions of the Yellow River Delta in China.

To understand the characteristics, temporal and spatial variation, and health risks of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in different areas of the YRD (Yellow River Delta), atmospheric particles samples were collected in the YRD in China during 2016-2017. A total of 10 monitoring points were chosen in different areas (industrial parks, main urban areas, and rural areas) in the YRD, heavy metals were monitored using atomic fluorescence spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that TSP (total suspended particulate), PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10μm), and PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5μm) contents were higher in the Kenli EDZ (economic development zone) and Kenli urban areas than those in other points. The concentration range of heavy metals in atmospheric samples at 10 points was different, with a difference of five orders of magnitude, of which the content of copper (Cu) was the highest, with the highest concentration of 4.375μg/m3, and the content of particulate mercury (Hg) was the lowest, with the minimum concentration of 0.00001μg/m3. Among the nine heavy metals, the contents of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and Hg were higher in winter than in summer, and chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), Cu, and manganese (Mn) were higher in summer than in winter. In addition to Hg, the contents of the other eight heavy metals in particulate matter showed a trend that urban areas and EDZs had higher concentrations than cities and towns and nature reserves, which can be attributed to industrial activities and coal-fired fuel emissions. Health risk assessment was carried out for adults and children, respectively, and the results showed that carcinogens have no obvious carcinogenic risk, but As and Cr have major potential carcinogenic risk. Among the noncarcinogenic substances, Mn has the greatest noncarcinogenic risk, and urban areas and economic development zones have the greatest risk. This study investigated the characteristics and health risk assessment of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in different areas in the YRD to supplement the research contents of atmospheric particulate heavy metals in the YRD in domestics and overseas. It is also critical to study the pollution and migration of heavy metals in China.

Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Groundwater Quality Index and Multivariate Statistical Methods and Human Health Risk Assessment in a Coastal Region of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes and assess the associated human health risks for different age groups in a coastal province of Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Twenty groundwater samples were collected in Soc Trang Province, and various water quality parameters were analyzed. The data were employed to calculate entropy-weighted groundwater quality index (EWQI), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adult and children health. The results revealed that groundwater in some locations, especially in GW19, was polluted by hardness, total dissolved solids, NH4+, Cl-, Fe, total coliform, and E. coli. In addition, 5 principal components from the PCA results could explain 84.5% of the total variation of groundwater quality, which also suggested that the potential groundwater pollution sources were geochemical processes, agricultural activities, domestic and industrial wastewater, seawater intrusion, and excessive nitrogen fertilizer application. The CA results showed that monitoring locations can be divided into 4 clusters based on their similarities in groundwater quality, and the most polluted group was found at cluster IV (GW19). The computed EWQI values ranged from 20.05 to 738.52, with approximately 45% of total samples classifying good to excellent water quality. The sampling points with undrinkable quality are mainly located in the northeast and center of the province. The ratio of children and adults under the threat of adverse health effects due to drinking groundwater contained non-carcinogenic substances (NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, Cd, Cu, F-, Mn, and As) ranged from 5 to 40%, and children had higher risks compared to adults. Additionally, the consumption of As-contaminated groundwater also poses carcinogenic risks for children, female and male adults ranging from 4.80×10-6 to 1.33×10-4. The findings of this study can provide helpful information for policymakers in the development of long-term water management strategies to protect community health.

Urban ecology: risks and priorities

The article considers the problem of urban pollution by industrial enterprises. The risks of exposure to harmful substances on the population of the urban environment are considered. A method for determining the list of priority substances for analysis is given and a methodology for assessing the risk of negative effects is proposed. When calculating the risk, possible failures of technological equipment and the appearance of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances in the environment with various mechanisms of spreading hazards to a given point in space are taken into account. The calculation takes into account the probability of changes in wind direction and speed (wind rose) for the last ten years. The probability of calculating the negative impact on people is represented by a threshold and threshold-free model. Principles and criteria of environmental pollution regulation have been developed to determine risk levels. The example shows the methodology for assessing exposure and the dose-effect relationship. The conclusion is made about the values of risk and measures to reduce it.

Assessment of environmental safety of the population in Kemerovo region

An increase in the volume of mining, large power plants, metallurgy, chemistry and machine building enterprises, as well as an increase in the number of motor vehiles in Kuzbass have a negative impact on the ecological state of the region, which, in turn, negatively affects the well-being and health of the population. According to the World Health Organization, 30–40% of life expectancy depends on the quality of the environment. The purpose of the study is to assess the environmental safety for the population of Kemerovo region. Using various research methods, statistical data were studied and summarized, regulatory documents were analyzed, and comparisons and calculations of environmental indicators were made. In particular, the risks of exposure to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic substances were calculated. The hazard coefficient was used to determine to what extent the presence of each pollutant in the air has a negative impact, and which organ of the human body is exposed to the negative impact. The absence of a threat to public health was revealed. However, it is necessary to control emissions, since the risk can exceed the acceptable level. Possible sources of negative impacts are compared with the list of pollutants in the air. Measures to reduce the negative impact of pollutants on the environment on the example of Kemerovo were suggested.

Applications of ash аnd slag waste in agriculture

Environmental pollution creates problems for health of people living in residential areas near pollution sources. Studies aimed at developing methods for investigating the impact of industrial facilities on the air is of interest. The purpose of this work is to analyze the methodology for assessing the risk of exposure of a technosphere object to the atmosphere. It was assumed that the enterprise in emergency mode emits pollutants through the source of emissions at the maximum single concentration of the substance exceeding the maximum permissible concentration. To calculate the impact on a human, various scenarios of an emergency situation are taken into account. These are constructing failure trees and using well-known health risk assessment techniques. The calculation took into account the wind rose for a specific enterprise location and wind speed projections obeying the normal distribution law. These assumptions allowed us to develop a method for calculating the risk of exceeding the concentration of a pollutant at a given point (x, y) during the year. Isolines of surface concentrations were built. Three toxic substances were taken for analysis. The method for calculating the dispersion of emissions of harmful (polluting) substances in the atmospheric airwas used; maps of the dispersion of isolines of pollutants in residential areas were constructed. When solving the inverse problem, emergency emission intensities at which excess of permissible concentrations occurred were determined. In the range of multiplicities exceeding the maximum single maximum permissible concentration from 1 to 5, the dependence was well approximated by a straight line. This technique can be used to determine the risk of diseases caused by carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances and minimize the risk of exposure to harmful substances. Ash and slag wastes are the source of negative impact on the environment. This area is studied by a number of researchers. The article aims to systematize the data on possible applications, accumulated practical experience of using ash and slag waste in agriculture both in Russia and abroad. The analysis showed that waste from the fuel and energy industry can be widely used in various areas of agriculture. It can be used as ameliorants, zeolite-based mineral fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides for treating horticultural crops, microfertilizers, as well as for soil remediation and land reclamation. The use of ash and slag waste in agriculture and other sectors of the national economy can reduce the ecological load on the environment. The number of overfilled ash dumps can be reduced, and there will be no need to build new ones.

Risk assessment for the industrial facility impact on the atmosphere

Environmental pollution creates problems for health of people living in residential areas near pollution sources. Studies aimed at developing methods for investigating the impact of industrial facilities on the air is of interest. The purpose of this work is to analyze the methodology for assessing the risk of exposure of a technosphere object to the atmosphere. It was assumed that the enterprise in emergency mode emits pollutants through the source of emissions at the maximum single concentration of the substance exceeding the maximum permissible concentration. To calculate the impact on a human, various scenarios of an emergency situation are taken into account. These are constructing failure trees and using well-known health risk assessment techniques. The calculation took into account the wind rose for a specific enterprise location and wind speed projections obeying the normal distribution law. These assumptions allowed us to develop a method for calculating the risk of exceeding the concentration of a pollutant at a given point (x, y) during the year. Isolines of surface concentrations were built. Three toxic substances were taken for analysis. The method for calculating the dispersion of emissions of harmful (polluting) substances in the atmospheric airwas used; maps of the dispersion of isolines of pollutants in residential areas were constructed. When solving the inverse problem, emergency emission intensities at which excess of permissible concentrations occurred were determined. In the range of multiplicities exceeding the maximum single maximum permissible concentration from 1 to 5, the dependence was well approximated by a straight line. This technique can be used to determine the risk of diseases caused by carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances and minimize the risk of exposure to harmful substances.

Heavy metal contamination of street dust of Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Health risk assessment

The objective of the study was to assess the health risk related to the presence of heavy metals in street dust samples collected from Canton Sarajevo (CS). Street dust samples (42) were grouped in three categories: high density traffic roads, medical centers/parking and parks. The mean concentrations for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) were 1.71, 30.99, 74.85, 674.4, 221.9, 33.16, 41.46, 22.97 and 53.92 μg/g, respectively. According to correlation matrix analysis very strong positive correlation was found between Zn and Fe. The Hazard index (HI) values for non-carcinogenic substances for adults and children were 2.46E-1 and 1.31E + 00, respectively. There is a possibility of occurring of non-carcinogenic effects of street dust on children, as opposed to adults. Exposure pathway that most impact the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk, for both, children and adults, is the ingestion followed by the dermal and inhalation route. The carcinogenic risk caused by Cd, Cr and Pb in the street dust could be considered negligible.

Evaluation of Chemical Parameters of Urban Drinking Water Quality along with Health Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Ardabil Province, Iran.

In recent years, in addition to water resources’ quantity, their quality has also received much attention. In this study, the quality of the urban water distribution network in northwestern Iran was evaluated using the water quality index (WQI) method. Then, some important trace elements were investigated, and finally, the health risk assessment was evaluated for both carcinogenic elements (Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) and non-carcinogenic elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, F, NO3, and Cu) using carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ), respectively. In the present study, the WQI was calculated based on both World Health Organization (WHO) and Iranian drinking water standards. Comparing the results of these standards revealed that the WQI based on the Iranian standard was slightly higher. Regarding the calculated WQI for the study region, the status of water quality for drinking consumption is in the good water quality class (25 < WQI < 50). It was observed that Cu and Cd have the highest and lowest concentrations in all sampling points, respectively. Hazard Index (HI) results showed that the non-carcinogenic substances studied had a low risk for both adults and children (<1.0). However, the CR results showed that Ni, Cd, and As were above the desired level for both children and adults. The results of this study can be applied for efficient water management and human health protection programs in the study area.

Health Risk and Geochemical Assessment of Trace Elements in Surface Sediment along the Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary (India)

This study investigated sediment spatial and seasonal distribution of trace elements (TEs) (n = 16) and human health effects along the Hooghly River Estuary (India). The index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), hazard quotient (HQ), modified hazard quotient (mHQ) and toxic risk unit (TRI) were calculated to estimate sediment pollution level, while hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) were used to assess TEs enrichment vs. human health. The concentrations (µg/g dry weight) of TEs were: Cd (0.01–1.58), Cr (41.98–105.49), Cu (16.41–51.09), Ni (28.37–63.90), Fe (22075–47919), Mn (423–630), Co (11.43–23.11), Zn (48.82–105.81), V (63.92–138.92), Pb (25.01–43.27) and Ti (0.18–3.50); As (2.92–16.26), B (59.34–98.78), Si (11.52–98.78); Be (1.71–4.81), Ba (95.23–293.72). From Igeo and EF, Cd was the major contaminant, while Ni presented moderate/high contamination (HQ and TRI). Children were more exposed to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks compared to adults. For non-carcinogenic substances, no significant risk was found to both children and adults (HIs &lt; 1). The LCR for Cr (3.924 × 10−4 for children) and As (1.379 × 10−4 for children) was higher than the threshold limit value (TLV, 10−4 and 10−6) indicating significant carcinogenic risks to be managed.

Human health risks from fish consumption following a catastrophic gas oil spill in the Chiquito River, Veracruz, Mexico

An industrial accident resulted in a gas oil spill of 11,808 barrels in the upper part of the Coatzacoalcos River watershed. After river shore cleanup, concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in muscle (+ skin) were determined in captured fish to evaluate human health risk due to fish consumption post-spill in the most affected communities. Data on fish consumption, body weight, and diet factor were collected by questionnaires and field observations. Using standard formulas for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances, site-specific remediation levels were calculated in fish, comparing them to the real levels observed. Likewise, the levels of PAHs in fish captured pre- and post-spill were compared to determine their origin (pyrolytic vs. petrogenic). The TPH concentrations were between 119,000 and 523,000 ng/g (dry weight) and no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found pre- vs. post-spill. The concentration of total PAHs varied between 2494.83 and 35,412.23 ng/g (dry weight), with the concentrations of naphthalene (520.9 ng/g) and phenanthrene (7532.7 ng/g) being much higher than in control samples, and being from the gas oil spill (petrogenic origin). The site-specific remediation levels calculated for TPH and PAH were much higher than the maximum levels actually detected. No human health risks were found from hydrocarbons from the spill, at least after cleanup efforts and natural attenuation (six months).

Determination of Environmental Quality Standards Proceeding from the Risk-Based Approach

Using the methodology of assessing the risk from carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances to public health, algorithms to estimate the standards for the quality of atmospheric air and potable water are considered. The acceptable levels of risks for various countries and impact groups are analyzed. It is shown that the levels of maximum permissible concentrations of these substances, calculated depending on the acceptable risks, are significantly lower than the current sanitary standards.

Spatial Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Dissolved Trace Elements in Groundwater in southern China

To understand the groundwater environmental quality and the impact of trace elements in the construction of urban agglomeration in China, this study collected 58 groundwater samples from the core area of the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration (Changsha, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan) and quantitatively analyzed the content of 13 dissolved trace element and their spatial distribution characteristics. The health risk assessment model was further used to evaluate the human health risk caused by trace element pollution in groundwater. It was observed that Ba had the highest average concentration (0.28 mg·L−1), whereas Cd had the lowest (2.1 × 10−5 mg·L−1). Compared with China’s groundwater environmental quality standard, the exceeding rates of Se, Mn, Zn, and Ni concentrations were 37.93%, 17.24%, 1.72% and 1.72%, respectively. Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, and Pb did not exceed the corresponding standards. The 13 trace elements were distributed in a scattered pattern in space and the trace elements in both banks of the Xiang River, Zhuzhou, Weishui River and surrounding areas were relatively high. Health risk assessments showed that the carcinogenic risk values of Cd, Cr, and Pb and the health risk values of 10 non-carcinogenic elements were less than the corresponding maximum acceptable risk level. The health risks associated with non-carcinogenic substances through ingestion were higher than those associated with dermal absorption. Among the non-carcinogenic substances, Ba and Mn posed the greatest health risks. With respect to drinking water exposure, Cr had the highest carcinogenic risk, followed by Pb. Furthermore, Cd had the lowest carcinogenic risk. This study recommended that continuous monitoring of Ba, Mn, and Cr in groundwater should be practiced by assessing the risk of these elements in the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration.

ERASSTRI - European risk assessment study on synthetic turf rubber infill – Part 3: Exposure and risk characterisation

As the final part of a Europe-wide study on the risk from synthetic turf infill consisting of rubber granules derived from end-of-life tyres (ELT), exposure of sportspeople was assessed and compared with health-based reference values for various chemical substances. Based on information from previous project phases, exposure scenarios were established and exposure was calculated for oral, dermal and inhalation routes. Calculated cancer risks for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were below 1:1 million. Risk characterisation ratios (RCRs) for non-carcinogenic substances were below 1, indicating no health concerns. For 2-hydroxybenzothiazole no toxicological data were found from which to derive a substance-specific reference value. A threshold-of-toxicological concern approach revealed maximum RCRs slightly above 1, which are acceptable, given the conservativism of the approach. ERASSTRI substantially improved the data available for assessing human health risks from using ELT-derived infill material. Overall, no health concerns could be identified for the use of synthetic turfs with ELT-derived infill material.

Assessment of the Impact on Atmospheric Air Quality Due to Ignition of Illegal Landfills

Purpose. To assess the impact on the atmospheric air quality and to calculate environmental risks due to burning of illegal landfills. Methods. Field and laboratory methods and analytical data processing. Results. The research has shown that the main pollutants in the combustion of solid waste are nitrogen dioxin, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, soot, and undifferentiated dust. At the point of emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, the maximum concentration limits of these substances significantly exceed the max allowable ones. In particular, the MAC of NO2 was exceeded in 45 times, CO – in 22 times, soot - in 210 times, SO2 – in 40.8 times, the MAC of undifferentiated dust was exceeded in 120 times. The results of pollutant emissions obtained empirically were significantly differ from those calculated by using the existing methodology. For undifferentiated dust, the results of field measurements exceed the calculated in 73.2 times, for sulfur dioxide – in 10.4 times, for nitrogen dioxide – in 3.5 times, for carbon monoxide - in 6.7 times, for soot - in in 76.8 times. The calculation of pollutant scattering using the EOL + program showed that the combustion of solid waste in a landfill on the border of residential area will exceed the maximum concentration limits for three substances. The calculation of risks for the population was performed. Conclusions. Risk calculations for the population has showed that the impact of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances is minimal, i.e. acceptable. The overall risk over a lifetime is also minimal (acceptable). Unauthorized landfill, of course, must be removed with the subsequent restoration of damaged components of the environment.