№85-17
Health risk assessment as a tool for ambient air quality management in an industrial city
О. Borysovska1, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7309-0236
A. Rudchenko1 https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1850-3712
1Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine
Coll.res.pap.nat.min.univ. 2026, 85:208–219
Full text (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.33271/crpnmu/85.208
ABSTRACT
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to provide a comparative description of two methods for assessing the risk to public health from air pollution, as well as to assess the risk to residents of Dnipro from air pollution.
Methodology. The health risk assessment was performed using epidemiological and chemical and toxicological approaches in accordance with the current methods by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The population risk from exposure to PM₂.₅ and NO₂ was determined using the ‘concentration-effect’ model, and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were determined by calculating the hazard quotients and individual and population carcinogenic risk.
Results. It was found that PM₂.₅ and NO₂ concentrations in most of the studied areas of Dnipro exceed safe levels and cause an increase in mortality by 28-54% and 19-41%, respectively, accounting for up to 22-35% of premature deaths from PM₂.₅ and 16-29% from NO₂. According to the calculations, dozens of premature deaths related to these pollutants are expected in the city each year. The carcinogenic risk from formaldehyde is assessed as low, while the non-carcinogenic risk to the respiratory system is high in all observation areas.
Scientific novelty. For the first time, a comprehensive assessment of health risks for the population of Dnipro was carried out, including the simultaneous determination of relative risk, carcinogenic risk, and non-carcinogenic risk using two official methodologies. This approach made it possible to obtain a multidimensional characterisation of the impact of air pollution on public health. Actual levels of premature mortality associated with PM₂.₅ and NO₂ were established, taking into account the spatial differentiation of pollution within the city. For the first time for Dnipro, a spatial health risk assessment was conducted, enabling the identification of the most problematic areas and the prioritisation of environmental interventions.
Practical significance. The results obtained make it possible to identify the areas of the city that are most dangerous to public health and to direct resources to control emissions in those areas where the risk is highest. Quantitative assessment of health effects can be used to justify environmental protection measures, determine funding priorities, and prepare environmental projects.
Keywords: risk assessment, atmospheric air, air pollution, population risk, carcinogenic risk, non-carcinogenic risk, air quality management.
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date of first submission of the article to the publication – 04/14/2026
date of acceptance of the article for publication after review – 05/17/2026
date of publication – 06/30/2026