2024 Monitoring Report on Air Pollution and Population Health Risks in Urumqi

This study aimed to establish an air pollution health monitoring network in Urumqi to characterize pollution and its health impacts, thereby providing a basis for interventions. Monitoring was conducted in Tianshan and Midong Districts (2024 data). We collected environmental and meteorological data (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, etc.), analyzed PM₂.₅ components (PAHs, heavy metals), and gathered health data (mortality, emergency room/outpatient visits, student health). Generalized Additive Models (GAM) and Spearman correlation were used to analyze pollution-health links and protection effectiveness. Midong District recorded the highest annual PM₂.₅ concentration (51 μg/m³), with the most significant exceedance of standards occurring in February (exceedance rate: 35.07%). Fluoranthene (16.68%) and pyrene (11.75%) were the dominant PAHs. The average concentration of Benzo[a]pyrene was 0.617 ng/m³, below the standard limit. Arsenic and chromium posed excess lifetime cancer risks (1.74×10⁻⁵ and 1.19×10⁻⁵, respectively), exceeding acceptable thresholds. PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ concentrations were positively correlated with respiratory mortality (r=0.134, 0.141; P<0.05) and outpatient visits (CO excess risk: 59.73%). Throat symptoms among students (Midong: 67 cases, Tianshan: 91 cases) were significantly associated with pollution levels (P<0.05). Public education initiatives reached over 50,000 people, effectively improving awareness. This research reveals that Urumqi's winter PM₂.₅ pollution is severe, with heavy metals like arsenic and chromium and PAHs posing significant health risks, necessitating enhanced multi-sectoral coordination and public health protection to reduce population exposure. Consequently, stricter controls on PM₂.₅ components, particularly PAHs and heavy metals (As, Cr), are urgently needed. We recommend enhancing cross-departmental data sharing, strengthening technical capacity at the grassroots level, and expanding the coverage of health education.