SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 1st Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A research conducted by the Laboratory of Medical Physics and Environmental Radioactivity at the University of La Laguna in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has unveiled a 76% reduction in the overall alpha activity levels in aerosols following the closure of the local oil refinery in 2013.
This investigation, covering a span of 22 years (2001-2022), serves as a demonstration of the impact that oil industry operations have on the local environment and the health of its residents.
The findings have recently been shared in an article published in the ‘Journal of Environmental Management’, authored by Pedro Salazar Carballo, Antonio Catalán Acosta, Francisco Hernández, and María López Pérez, affiliated with the laboratory and other departments at the University of La Laguna.
Environmental pollution stands as one of the foremost challenges of the 21st century, and while greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen oxides (N2O) are widely recognised, other lesser-known pollutants like radiation also present a significant risk.
Under typical circumstances, public exposure to radiation is minimal and primarily originates from natural sources. Nevertheless, certain industrial processes like oil extraction can elevate levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in the surroundings, referred to as Enhanced Naturally Radioactive Material (TENORMs).
The study conducted in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which encompassed 1,105 measurements of surface aerosols, examined the progression of total alpha activity and its connection with other pollutants originating from the oil sector, including carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), benzene, toluene, and xylene. These contaminants and radionuclides are linked to the extraction, refinement, and combustion of petroleum products, adversely impacting both air quality and the levels of environmental radioactivity.
The findings indicated that significant occurrences such as the global economic crisis of 2008, which resulted in diminished refinery operations, along with its ultimate closure in 2013, correlated with a notable decline in the levels of these pollutants. Furthermore, air contaminants like PM10, SO2, NO2, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also experienced similar reductions.
By employing sophisticated statistical methods, it was identified that 84% of the variation in total alpha activity levels can be attributed to factors associated with industrial activities. This methodology could be introduced in other urban settings to assess the influence of industries on air quality and the radiation exposure of the populace.
Although fluctuations were noted, the levels of total alpha activity did not pose a radiological risk to the city’s inhabitants. Nonetheless, the results highlight the necessity for prolonged environmental monitoring to comprehend and mitigate the repercussions of radioactive and chemical pollution in urban areas influenced by industrial operations.
According to the researchers behind the study, the closure of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife refinery and the significant decrease in related pollution levels provide compelling evidence of the impact that industrial endeavours have on public health and the environment.
