Comparative assessment of the inhalation risk for the health of the population of single-industry towns in Khakassia (on the example of Chernogorsk and Sayanogorsk)

Abstract

Introduction. The problem of air pollution in mono-industry towns, which are based on town-forming enterprises, is currently becoming particularly relevant.The study aim was to determine the impact of atmospheric pollutants on the health of the population of two mono-industry towns in Khakassia based on the assessment of inhalation risk.Materials and methods. The study was conducted in Chernogorsk and Sayanogorsk. The state of the atmospheric air is characterized, and the health risks to the population are calculated according to modern methods.Results. In both mono-industry towns, excess of average annual concentrations of suspended solids, formaldehyde, and benzo(a)pyrene were observed. For acute inhalation exposure to pollutants, all hazard quotients in both towns corresponded to minimal or permissible (acceptable) risk levels, with hazard indices for critical organs and body systems at minimal levels. For chronic inhalation exposure, hazard quotients corresponded to warning levels in both towns over certain years. In 2022 and 2024, a high risk level from benzo(a)pyrene exposure was detected in Chernogorsk. Chronic respiratory risk corresponded to warning levels in both town, while childhood development risk corresponded to high levels in 2022 and warning levels in 2023–2024 in Chernogorsk. The total individual carcinogenic risk to the health of the population of both mono-industry towns was at a permissible (acceptable) level and was determined mainly by the contribution of formaldehyde (about 90%).Limitations of the study were due to the use of official data on pollutant concentrations for risk calculations. Conclusions. The results of the assessment of health risks to the population of single-industry towns in Khakassia from exposure to atmospheric pollutants obtained in this study should be used to optimize administrative and management decisions to improve the environmental situation. These results can also serve as objective criteria for the effectiveness of air protection measures implemented in Chernogorsk as part of the federal “Clean Air” project.Compliance with ethical standards. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.Contribution: Kislitsyna V.V. – literature review, writing the text, editing; Surzhikov D.V. – concept and design of the study, material collecting, writing the text; Likontseva Yu.S. – data processing; Golikov R.A. – data collecting and processing. All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.Funding. The study had no sponsorship.Received: April 24, 2026 / Revised: May 7, 2026 /Accepted: July 1, 2026 / Published: August 14, 2026