Article

Methodological approaches to assessing the impact of threats on environmental safety

Nataliia Maksiuta, Iryna Levchenko, Alona Buriak, Anna Cherviak
Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of methodological approaches for assessing the impact of anthropogenic threats on environmental safety, particularly under urban conditions in Ukraine and Germany. The study was based on the integration of quantitative methods – including geoinformation modelling of the spatial distribution of pollutants and statistical analysis of long-term data – with qualitative approaches such as SWOT analysis of environmental management systems and expert evaluations. The results revealed critical differences between the regions studied: in Poltava (Ukraine), consistently high levels of air pollution were recorded (particulate matter (PM)2.5 – 45 μg/m3, NO2 – 50 μg/m3), significantly exceeding both the indicators for Leipzig (Germany) (18 μg/m3 and 25 μg/m3, respectively) and European standards. The situation in Kryvyi Rih was particularly acute, with 40% of the city’s territory showing signs of soil degradation, and concentrations of heavy metals in water resources exceeding permissible levels by two to three times. The study also quantified the socio-economic consequences of environmental issues; in particular, annual losses in Poltava are estimated at USD 2-3 million due to the treatment of respiratory diseases. The data obtained confirmed the effectiveness of an integrated approach to environmental risk management, which considers both technical aspects of monitoring and social factors. The study’s conclusions underscored the necessity of developing standardised indicators of environmental safety, implementing modern real-time monitoring systems on a wide scale, and enhancing international cooperation to adapt European experience to the context of Ukrainian cities

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Received 10.04.2025

Revised 30.10.2025

Accepted 10.12.2025

https://doi.org/10.63341/esbur/2.2025.82
Retrieved from Vol. 16, No. 2, 2025
Pages 82-96

Suggested citation

Maksiuta, N., Levchenko, I., Buriak, A., & Cherviak, A. (2025). Methodological approaches to assessing the impact of threats on environmental safety. Ecological Safety and Balanced Use of Resources, 16(2), 82-96. https://doi.org/10.63341/esbur/2.2025.82

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