Gas Anomalies in the Air Above the Sulfide Tailings and Adjacent Soils in Komsomolsk Settlement (Kemerovo Region, Russia)

Abstract

The article presents the results of the study of sulfur-containing gases (carbon disulfide, CS2, and dimethyl sulfide, C2H6S) in the air above the sulfide tailings and in the soils in Komsomolsk settlement. Concentrations of CS2 (gas of the second hazard class) and C2H6S (gas of the fourth hazard class) in the air above the tailings exceeded the average maximum permissible on-time concentration (MPCot) by 20 times and 9 times, accordingly. Because of the alarming medical statistics on childhood morbidity, vegetable gardens in houses in the settlement were selected for measuring gas concentrations and metal contents. Concentrations of CS2 varied from 2.2 to 27 µg/m3 and exceeded MPCdn at 24 locations out of the 31 selected points. Concentrations of C2H6S varied from 120 to 440 μg/m3 and exceeded MPCot at 9 out of the 31 points. Particularly high gas concentrations were detected at a school and kindergarten. Geochemical study showed high concentrations of arsenic, zinc, and lead in garden soils compared to their background values. Mathematical models of the distribution of hazard indices indicated that about 633 residents of Komsomolsk are at risk of diseases related to respiratory organs and liver damage, and approximately 215 inhabitants of Komsomolsk are exposed to the combined effects of CS2 and C2H6S and are at a risk of neurotoxic disorders.