Health risk assessment of emissions from a mining industry in the Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico: Analysis based on the 2018 RETC, acronym in Spanish for Registry of Emissions and Transfer of Pollutants of Mexico, RETP

Abstract

This study presents the risk assessment associated with atmospheric toxic emissions reported in the Registry of Emissions and Transfer of Pollutant of Mexico (RETP) for the year 2018, originating from a mining industry in Teziutlán, Puebla, Mexico. These emissions are considered part of the normal operational processes of the company. Chemical compounds released into the air, even at low concentrations, can induce adverse effects on both ecosystems and human health over the long term. To date, the acute and chronic health impacts generated by emissions during the normal activity of industries in the Teziutlán area have not been evaluated. In this study, risk is calculated using the risk assessment methodology of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and information from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). The identified risk values suggest that these emissions could have negative effects on the health of the surrounding population. The results obtained from this study can be useful for decision-making by both the local population and authorities.