Environmental risk assessment of explosive residues toxicological impact on humans on the former combat area
Date
2022-06-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Видавництво Львівської політехніки
Lviv Politechnic Publishing House
Lviv Politechnic Publishing House
Abstract
This article evaluates the impact of explosives
residues left after the explosion of low-detonation munitions
on the health of population (children and adults) living on the
former battlefield. To determine the toxicological impact of
explosives on humans, we used data from artillery shelling
near the village of Stepanivka, Donetsk region, during the
fighting in 2014. By the number of craters formed on the
battlefield and their size, the calibre of the shells and,
accordingly, the mass of the explosives were determined.
When calculating the mass of unexploded explosives, it was
assumed that the number of munitions with low detonation
was 2.5 %, while the mass of “unburned” explosives in them
was 37 % from the total. The types of explosives were
mixtures of 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) – 40 % and 1, 3,
5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazacyclohexane (RDX) – 60 %. To assess
the toxicological effects of explosives on humans, this study
used the EPA's assessment model of health risk. Noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the
influence of explosives on people were evaluated. The results
of the risk assessment suggest that the residual amount of
explosives in the soil does not lead to dangerous consequences
for the health of people who are living on the territory of the
former hostilities. However, the lack of data about the location
of explosive objects (unexploded munitions, land mines etc.)
into the soil of Donbas does not allow us fully assess their
toxicological hazard to humans and the environment. The
problem of the toxicological impact of explosive residues on
residents and the environment of the Donbas region remains relevant.
Description
Keywords
risk assessment, toxicological impact, explosives, low detonation
Citation
Orel S. Environmental risk assessment of explosive residues toxicological impact on humans on the former combat area / Serhiy Orel, Vadim Durach, Mykhaylo Naumko // Environmental Problems. — Lviv : Lviv Politechnic Publishing House, 2022. — Vol 7. — No 1. — P. 14–17.