Ranking of cemeteries per scores obtained by assessing health and environmental risks

Cemeteries are a significant source of biological and chemical contamination of the environment. However, the Russian Federation still lacks a scientifically substantiated system for ranking them per their potential hazards.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for ranking cemeteries per levels for risks for human health and the environment based on integral assessment of hazard factors. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 43 cemeteries located in 12 regions in the Russian Federation. The analysis involved taking and testing 3348 soil samples (sanitary-chemical, microbiological, parasitological, and biological tests). A score system was developed based on four factor groups (nature and climate, technogenic, operational, and social-hygienic factors) with the aim to assess the integral risk level R. Four risk categories were determined: the 1st (extremely high risk, R >25), 18 % of the analyzed cemeteries; 2nd, (high risk, R = 18–25), 42 %; 3rd, (medium risk, R = 10–17), 28 %; and 4th, (low risk, R < 10), 12 %. Sixty percent of the analyzed cemeteries were found to belong to extremely high and high risk categories, which substantiates the necessity to intensify research and practical activities within social and hygienic monitoring. The developed method was validated using an independent sample (n = 15); the results coincided with the expert estimates in 94 % (k = 0.89). The developed ranking method makes it possible to differentiate periodicity and volumes of control investigations depending on a risk category thereby ensuring a scientifically grounded approach to planning of monitoring programs and preventive activities including assessment of occupational health risks for cemetery workers.

The developed method for ranking of cemeteries per risk categories is the first practical complex approach in Russia. It covers not only chemical contamination of soil but also specific biological contamination typical for cemeteries. The com-prehensive nature is the key advantage of the developed method: it considers nature and climate, technogenic, operational, and social-hygienic factors.