Atmospheric Pollution as a Factor of Environmental Hazard in the Baikal Region Cities

Abstract

It is shown that the chronic atmospheric pollution of cities in the Baikal region is caused by the combination of natural and climatic features and the industrial development of the territory. The variations in emissions of pollutants in 2008–2017 indicate an impact of the periods of growth and slowdown of macroeconomic processes in the regions and the transformation of the main production. A dominant role of thermal power engineering and processing industry as well as of road transport in the urban atmospheric pollution in the region is established. A significant increase in average annual concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene is revealed. A stable relationship was found between this growth and the population morbidity (neoplasms, respiratory diseases). The directions for reducing environmental hazards in the Baikal region cities are outlined.