Sanitary and Environmental Analysis of Municipal Entities in the Republic of Mari El on the Basis of Morbidity Rate and Environmental Quality

Abstract

Introduction. There is a formal contradiction in the Republic of Mari El: favourable ecological situation in localities of the Republic versus the above-limit morbidity rate caused by the negative impact of habitat factors. It highlights the relevance of conducting a specifying quantitative examination with the use of modern econometric approaches. Materials and methods. The panel data on morbidity and environmental pollution in 15 municipal entities for 2009-2019 were used, as well as cross-cultural data of the fluctuating asymmetry for 2019. The analysis was based on the concept of cointegration and modeling with a mechanism of balance adjustment. Results. It was established that over the long term the increasing pollution level of drinking water from the distribution network and the atmosphere influences the increase in figures of congenital abnormalities (malformation), deformations and chromosome breakages in children aged 0 to14 years. It was found that the difference between the whole population being ill with malignant tumors and the adult population aged 18 and older in different municipal entities is statistically associated with the change in environmental quality (indicators of the fluctuating asymmetry). Conclusion. Actions should be taken on providing the population of the municipal entities with pathogen-free drinking water as well as onreduction of pollutant emissions. Being ill with malignant tumors is not related to internal contamination. It is necessary to further examine natural conditions and external sources of pollution (for example, transboundary transfer).