CARCINOGENIC HEALTH RISK FOR THE CHILD POPULATION OF THE CITY OF KAZAN (TATARSTAN) CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO ATMOSPHERIC AIR

Introduction According to epidemiological research data, the regional quality of atmospheric air is the cause of considerable population morbidity growth, its vulnerable groups in particular.

Methods The assessment of carcinogenic risk (ICR) for the health of children aged 3-6 years living in four zones of Kazan was performed corresponding to atmospheric air monitoring points. Data on air pollution (with formaldehyde, soot, and benzol) were obtained based on the research results of FSFHI “The Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Tatarstan” for the years 2017-2023. A daily dose via the chronic inhalation route was calculated at the level of the upper 95^th % of the confidence bound of average annual concentrations.

Results An average annual level of carbon (soot) exceeded the standards in all zones by a factor of 2, 32 - 9,96. A high level of ICR for children’s health was observed in all zones: 2,69х10^-3 in the first zone; 6,68х10^-2 in the second; 7,4х10^-3 in the third, and 1,18х10^-2 in the fourth zone. The highest levels of ICR exceeding the allowable level (1х10^–4) registered in the territories, where enterprises of the first and second classes of hazard (chemical complex) were concentrated, which was especially true of zones 2 and 4. In the residential area of the first and third zones with a high level of truck traffic load, the levels of ICR varied from 2,69х10^-3 to 7,4х10^-3, with the largest contribution of soot to its concentration value.

Conclusion The results dictate the necessity of developing and implementing of such strategies reducing atmospheric emissions as transport and industry modernization and regulation, as well as organizing the continuous monitoring of pollutants for the efficient assessment of the total level of carcinogenic substances in residential zones.