Morbidity rates of the children population under conditions of aerogenic chemical exposure: risk factors and associations

Abstract

Introduction. In the the industrialized regions of the Russian Federation one of the hygienic problems is the formation of additional morbidity among the population associated with intense air pollution. The purpose of the work is to study the health disorders in children under conditions of aerogenic chemical exposure in terms of primary morbidity. Materials and methods. Analysis of the primary morbidity of the children population (data from state statistical reporting and actual seeking medical care in 2017–2021); the content of the main chemical pollutants in the atmospheric air in residential buildings (data from social and hygienic monitoring and the regular observation network of Roshydromet for 2016–2020 according to the content of twenty two impurities); chronic non-carcinogenic risk; connection of diseases with aerogenic chemical exposure according to epidemiological indicators; economic assessment of predicted losses. Results. Comparing to the reference area, the level of primary morbidity in children with diseases of the respiratory system, digestion, kidneys, nervous system, osteoarticular apparatus, associated with aerogenic exposure to chemical pollutants, was established to be an increased by up to 3.4 times. In the atmospheric air of residential buildings, the content of a number of chemicals (metals, aromatic and fluorine-containing inorganic compounds) was found to be increased by 6.9 times and 4.0 times relative to the average daily and maximum one-time maximum permissible concentrations, respectively, and within the hygienic standards. The formed exposure causes an unacceptable risk of developing non-carcinogenic effects (HI up to 18.7 times) in relation to target organs. Additional morbidity in the children population (about 1.5 thousand cases per year) has been identified in the event of which the projected economic losses will amount to about 10 million rubles over year. Limitations. The study includes the children population under the age of 14 years. Conclusion. The primary morbidity of children in regions with developed industrial infrastructure is characterized by special random events associated with aerogenic exposure to risk factors. Projected additional losses require priority regulatory action.