The effect of sulfur wastes from paper industries on public health in Svetogorsk, North-west area of Russia

Abstract

The effect of sulfur products in the air on public health was studied in 1992 to 1993. The study was a part of common Finnish Russian investigation named as “IEVA”, there was not published information in Russia about atmosphere pullution effects on health of citizens exposed to chemical wase influence. Air concentrations of stinking wastes of sulfur products and sulfur dioxide in the industrial part of Svetogorsk were controlled by non-stop measuring devices. The special questionaire was proposed for examination in citizens. It contained the query of various information about health, the appearance of sympthoms (headache, eye and nose itching, cough, and dyspnea) during 1.5 years. The questionaires were given to 1100 citizens, and 990 of the questionaires were spread in Svetogorsk. The analysed answers were obtained in 430 persons in Svetogorsk (43%) and 85 persons in Losevo (77%). The greatest instant value of total concentrations of stinking sulfur products in Svetogorsk, as well 144 mkg/m, was 3 times greater than that in Losevo. Average values of hour mean concentrations of stinking sulfur products were 5 mkg/m³ in Svetogorsk (period of 06.01 to 24.06.1992) and 12 mkg/m in Losevo (period of 21.07 to 07.11.1992). The greatest hour mean concentration of sulfur dioxide and the greatest daily value were 540 mkg/m and 125 mkg/m³ respectively in Svetogorsk, and these ones were 123 mkg/m and 33 mkg/m respectively in Losevo. During the whole study period, the mean concentration of sulfur dioxide 16 mkg/m and 10 mkg/m in Svetogorsk and Losevo respectively.