Vol 100, No 3 (2021)

Introduction. One way to protect atmospheric air from industrial pollution is the use of environmental protection technologies aimed at emissions purification. As a result of the man-induced impact, the industrial emissions can change the composition of air medium, while the resulting products of physical and chemical transformations with other, sometimes more toxic properties, can influence on the quality and chemical safety of atmospheric air in comparison with the initial substances entering it as part of industrial emissions.

Materials and methods. Studies of the impact of various technologies of treatment the industrial atmospheric emissions of organic glass and polymer materials processing plants with laser systems were carried out using a chromato-mass spectrometric system Focus GC с DSQ II (USA).

Results. We have established the change in the qualitative-quantitative composition of emissions from organic glass laser treatment processes using various cleaning devices. Estimation of electrostatic purification technology efficiency based on plasma-catalytic oxidation with atomic oxygen revealed an increase in the transformation products - aldehydes. The cleaning devices seems ineffective and chemically unsafe concerning one of the primary pollutants included in the emissions of organic glass and polymer materials processing plants with laser systems - methyl methacrylate.

Conclusion. The use of new environmental protection technologies for emissions purification can cause a change in their qualitative-quantitative composition, which requires chemical-analytical control. It is advisable to use chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify up to 100 substances simultaneously in the air with an unknown composition of pollutants to assess the efficiency and chemical safety of new technologies for emissions purification adequately. It will certainly reduce and minimize health risks and allow considering the possibility of man-induced formation of transformation by-products.

Introduction. The article contains the results of a study of environmental hazards and threats to public health from the accumulation of heavy metals (HM) and the activity of man-made and natural radionuclides (NRN) in the bottom sediments of the inner reservoir r – the Kaliningrad Bay at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries (1986-2019). The Consumption of polluted resources (seafood, bottom sediments as fertilizers, and mineral raw materials) can negatively affect residents’ health of not only this region. The problems are considered: 1) the mechanism and intensity of the long-term accumulation of Hg and other HMs, 2) the activity of the ¹³⁷Cs isotope (“Chernobyl trace”) and NRN in comparison with the radiation state of the beach Sands in Latvia, 3) the biomedical threats from the factors considered.

Results. The water’s closed area led to the role of the bay as a giant trap of sedimentary material and pollutants. Hg in the water reached dangerous concentrations of 0.15-0.6 mcg/l (MPC = 0.5 mcg/l). The accumulation of Hg in the bottom sediments of the Gulf estuary and Primorskaya Bay has reached a low level of pollution over 20 years (Norwegian criteria: from 50-90 to 155-252 mcg/kg) and has approached the safe limit – the target level (300 mcg/kg – the national, regional standard and Dutch lists of the pollutants). The Hg content also increased in the background (from 23 to 82 mcg/kg). The most dangerous foci of sanitary and toxicological hazard (Zc-t index (AgPbCoW) >6, up to 13) coincide with the borders of dangerous accumulation of the sum of HM (Zc(MnCrVNiCoAgZnPbSnW) >34, up to 61) and Hg (>100-150 mcg/kg). The initial activity of ¹³⁷Cs in the Baltics decreased, Bq/kg: from 110 (beaches of Latvia) to 104 and 99 (bottom sediments; coasts of Lithuania, Kaliningrad region, and Poland). The specific activity of NRN in the bottom sediments of the Gulf (510-572 Bq/kg) is below the safe level (740 Bq/kg); handling them has no restrictions.

Conclusions. An increase in the amount of Hg causes the danger. The trend requires research and monitoring, including Hg in seafood and biomonitoring.

Introduction. New advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as practice shows, are not able to significantly improve the statistical indicators of morbidity and mortality of CVD. This fact indicates that there are additional factors and mechanisms that are important to consider, both for prevention and for the most optimal management of patients. Recently, the relationship between environmental and lifestyle factors with CVD has been actively studied. However, despite understanding the relationship between environmental factors and various diseases, including CVD, the mechanisms by which specific factors increase or decrease the risk of developing CVD are not yet fully understood, and a number of studies are contradictory.

The aim of our work was to generalize existing data on the impact of such critical environmental factors as air pollution and solar insolation on the cardiovascular system, as well as to comprehensively discuss the mechanisms by which these environmental factors can participate in the development and progression of CVD. To achieve our work’s goal, we analyzed modern foreign literature using the PubMed database.

Conclusion. According to numerous experimental and clinical studies, air pollution and solar insolation deficiency play an essential role in developing CVD and the aggravation of patients with various CVD (atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke). Thus, air pollution and lack of solar insolation can be considered as critical risk factors for CVD. Future research should focus on the study and establishment of specific pathogenetic mechanisms by which environmental factors affect the cardiovascular system’s health to develop effective treatment and prevention measures.

Introduction. The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays an essential role in maintaining human health. Many factors, including industrial pollutions with biotechnological strains of microbes, can affect the normal balance of intestinal microbiota. The biotechnological industry nowadays produces a wide range of products for medical and veterinary use, agriculture, food, chemical industries, etc. To develop hygienic standards that regulate the possible adverse effect of biotechnological strains of microorganisms on workers’ health, the intestinal microflora of rats in the experiment can be studied. The data obtained were used as the basic concept in elaborating state sanitary standards for limitations of the concentrations of biotechnological strains of microorganisms in the ambient air of the working area and settlements’ atmosphere.

Materials and methods. We have tested 52 strains of microorganisms applied in biotechnology as producers of a variety of biological substances. They included members of different taxonomic groups: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, actinomycetes, molds, and yeasts. The experiments were carried out on conventional male and female white rats (290-320 g, body weight). Each test and control group of animals included eight animals. The strains of microorganisms mentioned above were given to animals by inhalation of minimal effective doses of microbes in the concentrations of 10³-10⁸ CFU/m³ during one month. To demonstrate possible adverse effects to gut microflora, the routine bacteriological examination of animal feces was performed. To do this, after the priming, the 10-fold dilutions of animal feces in sterile saline were inoculated onto a set of general-purpose and selective culture media for Enterobacteriaceae members, staphylococci, enterococci, clostridia, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and fungi, with subsequent identification of the genus of the isolated microorganism. After that, the concentrations of microorganisms were calculated and measured in lg of CFU/g of feces. The Institutional Ethical Committee of Animal Care and Use of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University approved all procedures involving animals. The results of experiments were analyzed with a simple t-test using Statistica (v.6.0, Stat Soft, USA) and Microsoft Office Excel 2007. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Results. The most notable changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota were observed after inhaling of yeasts of genus Candida at the level of 10³–10⁴ CFU/m³ and in cases of exposure to molds (Aspergillus awamori, Penicillium funiculosum, and Tolypocladium cylindrosporum) in the concentration of 2•10⁴ CFU/m³, and gram-negative bacteria of the genus Alcaligenes and genus Pseudomonas at 5•10⁵ CFU/m³. We observed a dramatic decrease of Escherichia coli and the increase of gram-positive bacteria (staphylococci, enterococci). For some genera of biotechnological strains, a significant decline in the content of lactobacilli was also shown. On the other hand, Rhodococcus did not cause any disturbances even at high concentrations in the ambient air.

Conclusion. The obtained data can be used to develop biosafety and hygienic standards for industrial microbes to help decrease or minimize the occupational risk of infection or undesirable allergic effect when working with biotechnological strains of microbes in the ambient air of residential areas.

Relevance. Occupational health (factory medicine) as applied medical science provides sanitary inspection practice with theoretical generalizations for rational holding and increase in efficiency of control (supervising) actions. Currently, oil processing and petrochemical plants showed scientific and technical progress with the implementation of new technologies and automation of production, toughening of requirements of industrial safety, and labor protection. But this industry still represents technically difficult huge complexes of the fire and explosion hazardous equipment with harmful intensive chemical and noise effects on the environment and in the first turn, on the workers. Among objects of sanitary inspection in any region of the enterprise, oil processing and petrochemistry Relevance. Occupational health (factory medicine) as applied medical science provides sanitary inspection practice with theoretical generalizations for rational holding and increase in efficiency of control (supervising) actions. Currently, oil processing and petrochemical plants showed scientific and technical progress with the implementation of new technologies and automation of production, toughening of requirements of industrial safety, and labor protection. But this industry still represents technically difficult huge complexes of the fire and explosion hazardous equipment with harmful intensive chemical and noise effects on the environment and in the first turn, on the workers. Among objects of sanitary inspection in any region of the enterprise, oil processing and petrochemistry represent various conglomerates of the main, the auxiliary and providing production of the demanding special receptions in the analysis and preventions of their harm and danger not only to workers, but also to the population.

Aim of the study. To analyze existing hygienic characteristics and requirements to factors of the production environment and work, for the modem enterprises of oil processing and petrochemistry in control (supervising) actions for the increase in efficiency of the leading function of service for managing and supervision in ensuring sanitary and epidemiologic wellbeing of the population of the Russian Federation, consumer protection and rendering the methodical help to practical employees of service.

Conclusions. The most relevant documents are selected and literature sources are listed to optimize the leading function of the Federal Service for Supervision in the Field of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being for control and supervision in the field of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population of the Russian Federation and consumer rights protection.
various conglomerates of the main, the auxiliary and providing production of the demanding special receptions in the analysis and preventions of their harm and danger not only to workers, but also to the population. Aim of the study. To analyze existing hygienic characteristics and requirements to factors of the production environment and work, for the modem enterprises of oil processing and petrochemistry in control (supervising) actions for the increase in efficiency of the leading function of service for managing and supervision in ensuring sanitary and epidemiologic wellbeing of the population of the Russian Federation, consumer protection and rendering the methodical help to practical employees of service. Conclusions. The most relevant documents are selected and literature sources are listed to optimize the leading function of the Federal Service for Supervision in the Field of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being for control and supervision in the field of ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population of the Russian Federation and consumer rights protection.

Introduction. Maintaining and strengthening young athletes’ health is very important since a growing body is more sensitive than an adult one. The overload on young athletes’ bodies’ functional systems is much higher compared to their peers who do not engage in intense physical activities and sports. 

This study aimed to assess the functional changes in the body of young athletes practicing sports games in the training process.

Materials and methods. The functional state of the body of young athletes practicing five types of sports (volleyball, basketball, football, tennis, and handball) was studied on a representative group of 94 people, of which 50 (53.2%) males and 44 (46.8%) females with an average age of 17.7 ± 0.19 years. The cardiovascular system, central nervous system, respiratory system, and musculoskeletal system were investigated. The functional state assessment was carried out, taking into account the degree and direction of changes in the dynamics of training of individual indicators and integral indicators. It was determined the degree of risk of developing adverse functional changes. To identify premorbid states, we establish the type of self-regulation of blood circulation.

Results. The obtained results in this study indicate that significant changes express the biological significance of the response of athletes to the conditions of training in the indices of the functions of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems and the musculoskeletal system. The indices of the functional state of the young athletes’ body at the end of the training changed in both directions. The degree of their severity fluctuated within limits from little too clearly expressed values. On the part of the cardiovascular system, an acceleration of heart rate from 60.1 ± 0.93 to 123.1 ± 0.93 beats/min (p < 0.001) was noted, an increase of systolic blood pressure from 101.1 ± 2.84 to 129.2 ± 1.40 mm Hg. (p <0.001), diastolic arterial pressure from 65.8 ± 1.60 to 76.3 ± 1.20 mm Hg. (p < 0.001), pulse pressure from 33.5 ± 2.35 to 71.5 ± 0.85 mm Hg. (p < 0.001), systolic pressure from 78.3 ± 1.75 to 84.2 ± 1.06 ml (p < 0.001), minutes volume from 4.3 ± 0.22 to 10.3 ± 0.11 l (p < 0.001), total peripheral resistance from 934.2 ± 42.11 to 1646.4 ± 37.61 dyn•s/cm^–5 (p < 0.001). On the part of the central nervous system, there was an increase in visual motor reaction from 236 ± 20.0 to 389 ± 5.3 ms (p < 0.001) and the auditory-motor reaction from 160 ± 3.8 to 256 ± 7.7 ms (p <  0.001). Young athletes who play volleyball have a higher load on the cardiovascular system. Functional changes are more pronounced in female athletes. The risk of developing unfavorable functional changes was noted for 15 physiological indices. The relative risk varied within 1.03-2.45 for boys and 1.04-2.90 for girls. The most pronounced risk is characteristic for total peripheral resistance (RR = 1.60), minutes volume (RR = 1.58), systolic pressure (RR = 1.55) in boys and systolic pressure (RR = 2.35), minutes volume (RR = 2.21), systolic arterial pressure (RR = 1.75), diastolic arterial pressure (RR = 1.73) and peripheral blood pressure (RR = 1.52) in girls.

Conclusions. When playing sports games, a specific professional environment for different types of sports games is formed, this harming the functional state, performance, and health of young athletes.

Introduction. The process of involving children, adolescents and youth in the constantly developing information space is an objective reality. At the same time, the lack of monitored indices of the safety of electronic devices (ED) for the health of children and adolescents, the lack of a clearly built system of preventive measures require its development and improvement, which will reduce the risk of the digital information environment impact on the health of the younger generation.

Materials and methods. The survey using a questionnaire, developed by specialists from the Research Institute of Hygiene and Health Protection of Children and Adolescents in 2017-2020, was used to collect data on the nature of ED using by schoolchildren and students in educational and leisure activities (1218 questionnaires). In 2017-2020, 805 schoolchildren and students from the Moscow gymnasium №12 and the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University underwent an ophthalmological examination.

Results. All the surveyed schoolchildren and students used ED. Analysis of the questionnaire data allowed us to determine the duration of continuous use of ED (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) by children, adolescents, and young people during school and vacation time. All categories of respondents both during the academic period and during holidays showed a high duration of continuous use of ED. Thus, the presence of a behavioral risk factor for the uncontrolled use of ED (long duration of continuous work with ED) was shown among all categories of respondents, which may cause the development of eye diseases. The analysis of the results obtained revealed significant negative values of the correlation coefficients between students’ visual acuity and the duration of their continuous use of both stationary (computer) and mobile (smartphone, tablet) ED. 

Discussion. The introduction of these preventive measures into the daily routine and lifestyle of children, adolescents, and young people will help prevent visual acuity disorders.

Conclusion. It is necessary to introduce hygienic rationing of the frequency and duration of the possible influence of ED not only during the educational process but also in leisure time to increase the awareness of parents and the degree of their control over the use of ED. To elevate awareness of all ED users’ categories it is necessary to intensify work to promote the rules for the safe use of ED and related foundations of a healthy lifestyle and self-control over ED use.

In connection with the development of the digital educational environment, it is advisable to improve the hygienic standardization of text information in electronic publications for children, adolescents, and students. To prevent the symptoms of eye fatigue, it is advisable to limit continuous work with a bright screen (no more than 60 minutes), followed by a break of at least 15-20 minutes, not related to viewing the illuminated screen, in compliance with the recommendations for relieving stress from the visual analyzer.

Introduction. Morphological studies of animals (trachea, bronchi, lungs) exposed to the combined inhalation of chemicals in low concentrations showed the progression of structural changes, indicating the activation of inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs. The role of cytokine markers in developing inflammatory and fibrotic processes and remodeling lung tissue has been studied.

Materials and methods. Male rats (180-200 g) were exposed to a mixture of chemicals (acetone, acetaldehyde, benzene) in low concentrations of 0.7-1.5; 0.9-1.4; 0.2-0.4 (mg/m³), respectively. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1b, IL-4, TGFβ₁, TNFα cytokines (pg/ml) have been measured in the lung homogenate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Microscopic anatomy of the lungs, tracheal wall, bronchi has been studied on the 30^th day of exposure and the 15^th and 90^th days of the recovery period. 

Results. An increase in interleukin-4 and transforming growth factor TGFβ₁ in the homogenate of the lung tissue was shown. An increase in lymphatic follicles, the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and focal accumulations of eosinophils has been observed in the tracheal wall. In lymphoid infiltrates of the lung tissue - eosinophils, macrophages, and plasmocytes. Accumulation of eosinophilic exudate has been observed in some alveoli. The 90^th day of the recovery period is characterized by a significant increase of TGFβ₁ in the lung tissue, indicating fibrosis, as evidenced by the rise in the number of fibroblasts between the alveoli in the atelectasis zones of lungs.

Conclusion. The chronic combined exposure to the mixture of chemicals in low concentrations is accompanied by a pro-inflammatory process in the lungs with the type II hypersensitivity and increasing IL-4 and TGFβ₁ (a key mediator of profibrotic activity).