Environmental pollution around nickel smelters in the Kola Peninsula (Russia).
Air pollution along the border between Norway and Russia has been recorded since 1974 in Sør-Varanger county (Norway) and since 1985 in Murmansk county (Russia). A more extensive collaboration on the environmental pollution problems in the border region was started in 1988 with the establishment of a joint pollution commission. Sulphur dioxide seems to be the most important pollutant causing both environmental damage and adverse health effects. The recommended highest 6-month mean acceptable value for Norway of 40-60 micrograms/m3 was exceeded for two Russian and one Norwegian station during the winter of 1990/91. About 5% of hourly means exceeded 350 micrograms/m3 at the most polluted Norwegian station. The highest value recorded at the nearest populated area in Norway was 2500 micrograms/m3 (The Norwegian Institute for Air Research). Standardized mortality data suggest an increase in deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease in two cities with nickel refineries, compared to a control city. Further analysis is required to confirm this.
National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.
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D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D008906:Mining; D009532:Nickel; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D009532:Nickel