Methodological approaches and some results of the assessment of objects of accumulated environmental damage according to public health risk criteria

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of study arises from the great number of objects of accumulated environmental damage (OAED) in the Russian Federation and the necessity to identify those that are subject to immediate elimination. The aim of this study was to test methodical approaches to estimating actual OAED, assign them into categories, and rank them as per health risk indicators; also, we generalized the results obtained by estimating 192 objects in 2022. Materials and methods. Fuzzy set theory was used as a methodical base for analyzing the results. Method makes it possible to analyze a great number of both quantitative and qualitative heterogeneous variables, as one complex. Matrices with each indicator estimated in terms of influence on human health were filled in for each type of objects. Results. Health risk assessment did not identify any objects that could be assigned into an ‘extremely high risk’ category. 17 OAED (8.9 %) were ranked as ‘high risk’ objects (R=0.76÷0.60). 101 OAED (52.6 %) – as ‘average risk’ objects (R=0.39÷0.58). 72 objects (37.5 %) created ‘moderate risks’ (R=0.45÷0.21). Two objects were considered ‘low risk’ ones (R=0.33÷0.20). Limitations. Quantitative data describe only 192 examined objects located in specific geological and climatic-geographical conditions. Conclusion. The study results give evidence that applied methods are relevant, flexible, and provide correct comparative estimations of OAED of various origin, types of accumulated wastes, existence, and locations. The regulatory and legal base for estimation of ОАЕD further development considering health risk indicators for determining priority of its elimination. Targeted studies with elements of human biomonitoring would become an additional factor providing more solid evidence of OAED negative effect on health, which allows determining the relevance of the elimination of the object assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of measures to eliminate objects.