Defining dust load patterns and assessing health risk to people from traffic flows near a quarry

This study investigates atmospheric dust pollution generated by quarrying activities, particularly the impact of traffic on access roads. The task addressed relates to the lack of a comprehensive assessment of dust levels and associated health risks, considering the actual operation of quarry infrastructure and seasonal variability. Emissions from quarrying during 2020–2024 have been analyzed, which made it possible to evaluate anthropogenic pressure. PM2.5 and PM10 measurements were conducted along the access road to the Rybalskyi quarry (Ukraine); the results were used for statistical processing and dust load modeling. Correlation-regression models were built to assess the impact of environmental and transport factors, identifying key pollution drivers. A mathematical model of the spatial distribution of concentrations was constructed, including an evaluation of health risks for people. Maximum recorded PM10 concentrations reached 312 μg/m3, thereby exceeding the permissible limit by 6.2 times. Considering meteorological conditions, vehicle types, as well as traffic intensity enabled quantitative assessment of each factor's contribution to dust load and identification of high-risk zones. The results are attributed to the high sensitivity of dust concentrations to local changes, confirmed by determination coefficients and spatial modeling outcomes. The proposed approach is suitable for environmental protection measures aimed at reducing dust emission impact on the environment and public health. It could be applied to plan sanitary-protection zones, regulate traffic, and optimize logistics according to local conditions. This approach requires the availability of meteorological data and traffic information to provide reliable forecasts