Update of Ambient Air Pollution Monitoring Programs within Regional-Level Implementation of National Projects

Abstract

Introduction: The Federal Clean Air Project has been developed and is now implemented with the purpose of improving both ambient air quality and the quality of life of the population in 12 pilot cities, including Bratsk. An adequate air pollution control program, priority pollutant monitoring, and health risk management can facilitate improvement of the quality of human life and achievement of the targets of government projects. Objective: To update and streamline the ambient air quality monitoring program in Bratsk within implementation of national and federal projects at the regional level. Materials and methods: The updated air quality control program in Bratsk was based on the results of dispersion modeling verified by instrumental measurements of 34 pollutants at five monitoring stations of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet) and three stations of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor). The consolidated database included 2,202 sources emitting 112 chemicals, with total emissions approaching 127,207 tons per year. Hygienic analysis and health risk assessment were performed according to conventional procedures. Results: We established that airborne levels of 29 pollutants exceeded their maximum allowable concentrations (MAC), i.e. were up to 7.0 times higher than short-term MAC, 13.8 and 60 times higher than the average daily and annual MAC, respectively. We also found that 19 air contaminants posed unacceptable health risks for the local population (CR up to 1.82×10–3, HQac up to 113.2, HQcr up to 211.1). Cluster analysis of the results of health risk assessment allowed us to distinguish three clusters within the urban area. We substantiated cutting down the number of monitoring stations to one and its optimal location in Cluster 1, the expediency of moving the station in Cluster 2 and adding a station in Cluster 3 at the point of concern. Optimization of the air quality control program involves reducing the number of monitored pollutants to 8–15 chemicals that are not covered by Roshydromet air monitoring plan. Conclusions: Given the changing sanitary and epidemiological situation, streamlining of air quality monitoring programs will provide relevant and timely information, thus contributing to elaboration of effective health risk management activities.