Workplace monitoring and occupational health studies at the Centre for Production of Phosphorus Mineral Fertilizers, Voskresensk (Moscow region, Russia), using nuclear and related analytical techniques

The results on monitoring the workplaces of the ''Mineral Fertilizers'' plant in Voskresensk (Moscow Region), one of the largest centres for production of phosphorus mineral fertilizers in Russia, are reported. Assessment of the present-day environmental situation for the main industrial premises of the plant is given. The most typical associations of element-pollutants in the shops of the plant were determined by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRFA). The maximal pollution by dust particulates and the highest concentrations for Na, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, As, Sb, Sr, rare earth elements (REE), and Th at the loading-unloading sites of the shops were revealed The total dust impact on biosubstrates of the occupational staff (hair, urine) was examined The level of trace element concentrations in the biosubstrates reflects the sustained and systematic impact of air pollutants in the working area of the plant. The results on assessing the present-day environmental situation in the vicinity of the ''Mineral Fertilizers'' plant are given. It is shown that F, Sr and REE produce the most intensive impact on the occupational staff and local residents. The effect of agricultural use of mineral fertilizers byproducts - compost and phosphogypsum - on trace elements in soils and vegetation was examined. (author)