EURO-ECO 2011 Hanover 21 - 22 November 2011	Environmental, Engineering - Economic and Legal Aspects for Sustainable Living
	European Academy of Natural Sciences, Hanover European Scientific Society, Hanover University of Bremen, Bremen

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Based on own methodology, Institute of Industrial Ecology of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences conducted series of interdisciplinary environmental studies in the urban areas of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District of Russia.

On the first stage there was fulfilled a complex study of environmental pollutants in two cities (Salehard and Noyabrsk) having different levels of anthropogenic pressure. Besides, a lot of information was collected regarding actual environmental conditions and population health.

Terrain surveying was conducted in the mentioned cities including sampling of natural environment for chemical analysis and straight measuring of some environmental parameters. Pollution of atmosphere, water and soil was studied as well as radiation environment.

On the second stage, the results obtained were compared with population health data using risk assessment methodology from chemical pollution of atmosphere, drinking water and soil. The risk assessment was implemented for children attending kindergarten, because children are most sensitive to environmental factors.

On the third stage all the results of research and analyses, involving a few additional aggregative indicators of ecological condition, were used for environmental priorities identifying for the investigated cities. Also, the overall estimation of the environmental situation in the District was given and some measures were proposed for environmental condition improving and environmental health risk mitigating.

Some of the main outcomes of the study are as follows.

The atmospheric air pollution is the priority environmental factor having an adverse impact on public health. In urban areas the main source of emissions is motor transport. Concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere near highways and intersections are about 2.5 - 3 MAC.

The drinking water contamination stands at the second place considering the impact. The main drinking water pollutants with concentrations about 1 - 1.5 MAC are silicon, iron, manganese, phenol. In addition, an unfavorable factor is the shortage of several elements in drinking water (such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, fluorine, iodine), that makes the water physiologically unbalanced, especially for children.

The results of risk assessment for children confirm that atmospheric pollution is the main unfavorable environmental factor. The level of carcinogenic risk from exposure to air pollutants in cities of Salehard and Noyabrsk corresponds to “middle risk level” that requires developing and systematic implementation of health-improving measures.

Calculated level of risk to child health from drinking water pollution is assessed as acceptable and does not require taking any immediate action; though, improving of the drinking water quality remains one of the priority tasks of the municipalities. The risk level due to the soil pollution is also assessed as acceptable.

Total individual carcinogenic risk due to combined exposure to chemical pollutants in the air, water and soil does not exceed the upper limit of “acceptable risk” (according to the World Health Organization’s classification). This level of risk does not require the adoption of urgent measures for its reduction.