Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
This article discusses the issues of air pollution with formaldehyde and the impact of this pollutant on the health of the population of the city of Lipetsk. The study revealed patterns of increase in the concentration of formaldehyde in the warm season (May–September). In the daily dynamics of concentrations, peak values occur during daytime and evening hours, which is associated with the cumulative effect of pollution and traffic congestion in the evening rush hour. The minimum values are recorded in the cold season and in the morning hours. The morning “rush hour” does not affect the concentrations as the sampling takes place earlier. It has been established that meteorological conditions influence the concentration of formaldehyde. An increase in air temperature correlates with an increase in the concentration of formaldehyde, especially in the daytime and evening hours, which is explained by increased solar insolation and warming of the atmospheric air. An increase in wind strength and air humidity, on the contrary, reduces the content of pollutants in the air. An assessment of the impact of formaldehyde on the health of the population, associated with the presence of a carcinogen in the atmosphere, showed that the city of Lipetsk is characterized by the maximum acceptable risk. The individual carcinogenic risk for the Traktorny District and areas near busy highways (the Ring of the Pipe Plant intersection) is 6 · 10-5. This level of risk is assessed as the maximum acceptable. In these areas, the presence of formaldehyde in the air can provoke 5–6 additional cases of oncological diseases per year. Such values require monitoring and implementation of measures to reduce the negative impact.
Keywords: air pollution, formaldehyde, carcinogenic risks, meteorological conditions, atmosphere
Article published in number 2 for 2023 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2023-2-073-079
ISSN 1995-4301
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