Hygienic assessment of atmospheric migration of sulfur contained in waste from processing of ores of non-ferrous and precious metals

Introduction. The development of methodological approaches to the hygienic assessment of waste disposal facilities for processing non-ferrous and precious metals ores as sources of atmospheric air pollution is of undoubted interest for preventive toxicology and environmental hygiene. The study aims to develop methodological approaches to the hygienic assessment of waste disposal facilities for processing non-ferrous and precious metals ores as sources of atmospheric air pollution. Materials and methods. The article describes the conduct of a full-scale simulation of emissions of sulfur compounds from sulfide-containing waste into the atmosphere using waste samples weighing 1.0 kg, heated to temperatures of 25, 33 and 40°C. The scientists determined the concentrations of pollutants using the GANK-4 gas analyzer. When studying atmospheric pollution, the researchers used the method of subfactual observations. The object of the study was the Komsomolsk tailings dump, Kemerovo region. The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica 10.0 application programs. Results. The leading components of atmospheric emissions and pollution in the area of a sulfide–containing tailings pond are dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfoxide, the maximum concentrations of which at a distance of 300 m from the source in 7.1–6.4% of samples exceeded hygienic standards and reached 0.567 mg/m3 and 0.638 mg/m3, respectively. Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the modeling of emissions and the assessment of the accumulation in the surface layer of the atmosphere of mixtures of sulfur compounds in the area of the tailings of the gold recovery plant in the summer, which limits the possibility of obtaining generalized ideas about the environmental hazards of all possible types of sulfide-containing waste storage facilities at different times of the year. Conclusion. The conducted research made it possible to identify sulfur compounds subject to control; assess the power of the source and the specifics of zonal atmospheric pollution; identify factors contributing to the spread and accumulation of vapor-gas mixtures in the surface layer of the atmosphere; formulate promising ways to reduce the accumulation of sulfide-containing waste and prevent their negative impact on the environment and public health. Ethics. The conduct of this study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.