Ownerless landfills of household and mixed wastes as sources of environmental pollution and factors of human health risks in the Rostov region

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UDC: 
614.72:616-036.22(470.61)
DOI: 
10.21668/health.risk/2026.3.05.eng
Authors: 

Е.V. Kovalev1,2, М.Ya. Zanina1,2, А.V. Motskus2, S.P. Alekseenko2,3, М.V. Kalinina1,2, S.А. Musienko2, М.S. Mashdieva2, Е.V. Sterliagova4

Organization: 

1Federal Service for Surveillance over Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, Rostov Regional Office, 17 18-ya liniya St., Rostov-on-Don, 344019, Russian Federation
2Rostov State Medical University, 29 Nakhichevanskii Av., Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation
3Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Rostov Region, 67 7-ya liniya St., Rostov-on-Don, 344019, Russian Federation
4Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya St., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation

Abstract: 

Ownerless landfills of former economic activities are sources of environmental pollution and human health risks. They are to be eliminated in all regions in Russia.
The aim of this study was to assess human health risks caused by ownerless landfills of household and mixed wastes in the Rostov region in order to establish the order and urgency of their elimination.

The study covered 35 objects of accumulated environmental damage (hereinafter brownfields) labeled as ‘landfills’ or ‘abandoned objects for storage of solid household wastes’. Health risks were assessed using a methodology that ensured integration of more than 100 heterogeneous indicators in consolidated calculation including more than 1030 instrumental examinations. The results were analyzed using the fuzzy set theory. The objects were categorized according to the level of health risk.

The following pollutants were identified in wastes in practically all brownfields: oil products (up to 200 mg/kg of wastes); polymers (up to 47,000 mg/kg), benzo(a)pyrene (up to 0.50 mg/kg); toxic metals including chromium (up to 5.0 mg/kg), manganese (up to 200 mg/kg), copper (up to 10 mg/kg), arsenic (0.2 mg/kg), nickel (up to 50 mg/kg) and others.

The highest levels of soil contamination were established in nearest areas and residential housing influenced by brownfields per benzo(a)pyrene (up to 6 MPC),chromium (up to 6 MPC), cadmium (up to 1.5 MPC), and arsenic (1.1 MPC). Unacceptable (including high) risk levels (reaching 14 HQ) were revealed as a result of ambient air pollution near brownfields. In some cases, levels of microbial contamination corresponded to ‘extremely hazardous’ (100–10,000 CFU/g).
Six out of 35 examined brownfields were assigned into the ‘low risk’ category (R = 0.19–0.22). Twenty-one were characterized as ‘moderate risk objects’ (R = 0.23–0.34). Eight brownfields created the most substantial human health risks
(R = 0.35–0.48) and were assigned into the ‘medium risk’ category.

Inclusion of health risk indicators in assessment of brownfields makes it more objective and should become a relevant criterion for making plans to reclaim them. Until all ownerless landfills are eliminated completely, the key task for regional authorities is to implement prevention programs aimed at mitigating human health risks in adjacent areas.

Keywords: 
landfills, wastes, brownfields, environmental pollution, human health risks, risk category, fuzzy set theory, integral hazard assessment
Kovalev Е.V., Zanina М.Ya., Motskus А.V., Alekseenko S.P., Kalinina М.V., Musienko S.А., Mashdieva М.S., Sterliagova Е.V. Ownerless landfills of household and mixed wastes as sources of environmental pollution and factors of human health risks in the Rostov region. Health Risk Analysis, 2026, no. 3, pp. 57–68. DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2026.3.05.eng
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Received: 
02.07.2026
Approved: 
18.08.2026
Accepted for publication: 
28.09.2026

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