Air pollution trends in southern cities of Krasnoyarsk region

Abstract

Annual air monitoring shows a constant and dangerous level of pollution with harmful substances in many Russian regions. Therefore, it seems relevant to study the patterns that determine air pollution and its consequences, especially for industrialized cities. Based on the monitoring statistics for 2011–2020, an analysis of the air in six southern cities of Krasnoyarsk region was carried out. These are Achinsk, Kansk, Krasnoyarsk, Lesosibirsk, Minusinsk, and Nazarovo, where at least 50% of the regional population live. It was established that in all cities (except for Nazarovo), the values of the API5 index were high (less than 13) and very high (more than 14), despite the dynamics of their decline over the period under study. The positive trend was revealed for the content of carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene in the atmosphere of all cities where the average annual and maximum average monthly values exceed MPCs.s. up to 18 and 90 times, depending on the year and city, respectively. Carcinogenic individual and population risks of benzo(a)pyrene for the health of the population were assessed as a borderline between acceptable and unacceptable values. An increase in oncological and general morbidity was observed. It has a positive correlation with the average content of benzo(a)pyrene in the air of the southern cities. According to the indicators of forest fires, the trend of increasing the area of forest fires was revealed, which linearly affects the content of benzo(a)pyrene. It was concluded that it is necessary to monitor the air state and assess and eliminate sources of atmospheric pollution.