Assessing Population Health Risks Posed by Air Pollution Related to Coal Mine Reclamation

Introduction: There is an urgent need for reclamation of abandoned coal mine lands in Kuzbass to reduce their adverse effects on the environment.

Objective: To assess risks to public health posed by air pollution associated with coal mine liquidation and land reclamation.

Materials and methods: We used data on the volume of maximum permissible emissions of the abandoned coal mine area for 2019 to assess the spread and exposure to pollutants at 40 points selected on the map of the city of Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region, and to estimate the maximum and mean concentrations of the contaminants. The values of carcinogenic risk and risks of non-carcinogenic effects were calculated in compliance with the Russian Guidelines R 2.1.10.1920–04, Human Health Risk Assessment from Environmental Chemicals, while risks of chronic toxicity were assessed using methods by Shcherbo et al. The calculated risk values were then compared with their acceptable levels. Risks were also assessed with account for the contribution of background concentrations of chemicals.

Results: The list of priority pollutants included inorganic dust containing 20–70 % SiO₂, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon (soot), carbon monoxide, and inorganic dust containing < 20 % SiO₂. The estimated maximum and mean concentrations of airborne pollutants during mine reclamation activities were not exceeded at any exposure point. Hazard indices for acute exposures to pollutants exceeded the acceptable level at three points located closer to the sources. Carcinogenic risks did not exceed the level of acceptable risk at any point. Total risks of chronic toxicity were 1.2 and 1.75 times higher than acceptable at two points. Hazard indices estimated with account for the backgroundlevels of pollutants were 1.448–2.603 times higher than the acceptable level at all exposure points. The carcinogenic risk assessed taking into account the background levels was found to be acceptable. The most affected (target) critical organs and systems were respiratory organs and blood. Total risks of chronic poisoning assessed with account for background concentrations of ambient air pollutants exceeded the acceptable level by 3.15–5.40 times at all points.

Conclusions: Reclamation activities have no significant effect on ambient air quality and health of the population of Prokopyevsk. Total risks of chronic toxicity and hazard indices exceed acceptable levels in residential areas located close to the reclamation site. High hazard indices and total risks of chronic toxicity established at all exposure points taking into account background concentrations of contaminants, are determined by generally poor environmental conditions in the city with the intensively developing coal industry.

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