Vol 98, No 1 (2019)
- Year: 2019
- Published: 14.01.2019
- Articles: 20
- URL: https://rjsocmed.com/0016-9900/issue/view/9676
PROBLEM-SOLVING ARTICLES
Robots, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality: ethical, legal and hygienic issues
Abstract
The digital revolution poses new challenges for hygienists. From hygienic positions, the essence of digitalization of economy and society, and also ethical problems and projects of legal regulation of robotics, systems of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality (AR-VR) are considered. The aim of the work is the analysis of digitalization from the standpoint of information hygiene, as well as the legal regulation of these new technologies for their hygienic regulation. The range of views of the luminaries of Natural Sciences and Medicine on ethical and philosophical issues of the society, labor, and hygiene is given. Of the 23 Asilomar principles of safe, productive, and moral development of AI systems there are selected 7 hygienically significant ones, that can serve as the scientific basis for the hygienic assessment of cyber-physical systems. The issues of the legal regulation of robotics and AI on the example of the UNESCO draft and the European Parliament resolution, as well as draft laws of the United Kingdom and the United States, are considered. The proposal of Russian specialists on the category of high-risk robots and the presumption of the danger of conscious interaction with AI is noted. The terminology on robots and co-robots in the fields of welfare, medicine, and healthcare is presented. The proposal is described to form a friendly behavior of the robot to implement the ethical norms of robotics for the benefit of man. The systems of AR-VR used in education, industry, architecture, health care, medical Sciences, and entertainment are mentioned, as well as risk factors and symptoms of motion sickness as a form of their manifestation are considered. The basic theory is that of sensory conflict and then activation of the optic-vestibular-spinal system; one talks about the "disease of virtual reality". Possible disorders of the human body functions when using AR-VR devices and medical contraindications, as well as health and safety requirements are systematized. The bases of information hygiene can serve as a tool to preserve the health of workers and the population in the digital age. Robots and AI systems are concluded to require hygienic assessment. Special attention should be paid to the AR-VR systems, which create specific health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. The methods and criteria for evaluating cyber-physical systems on the base of information hygiene and specialized hygiene regulations are urgently needed.
5-10
Algorithm of decision-making on social and medical protection in emergency situation
Abstract
The aim of the study. The development of decision-making algorithm for decisions on the social and medical protection of people in emergency situations based on risk analysis.
Material and methods. The problems and conceptual provisions of risk assessment and decision-making, based on its results, are described concerning the social and medical protection of personnel of hazardous industries and the population in the event of an emergency situation (ES) in which the level of exposure to hazardous factors may exceed the established safety standards. The object of risk assessment and analysis are stochastic (probabilistic) effects of exposure to ES hazard factors. Their main features, which create complex problems in risk assessment and making decisions on protective measures, is the non-specific effects of the hazardous factors’ impact on human health and their possible latency.
Results. The first step before decisions on the protective measures should be to identify a high-risk group among people affected by ES, based on the risk assessment. Three variants of decision-making for the high-risk group are considered: 1) financial compensation for risk, 2) medical measures for protecting health and 3) compensation for the realized damage to health. The requirements of the risk assessment methodology are formulated.
Discussion. It is shown that the first option can not provide optimal and justified protection of the health and well-being of people in ES. Decisions on this protection are proposed to be based on a combination of options 2) and 3). The choice of the optimal combination depends on the specific situation and development of emergencies, on the success of implementing engineering and organizational protective measures aimed at preventing "doses" of exposure to people of hazardous factors of the emergency above the established safety limits and on the effectiveness and timeliness of medical protection.
Conclusion. The choice of the option of making an effective decision on social and medical protection should be based on the detailed risk assessment from the exposure to hazardous factors, including risk assessment in economic indicators.
11-16
ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
Mycological damage of materials in the indoor environment as a risk factor for the health of polar explorers
Abstract
The article presents the results of mycological analysis of samples taken from open surfaces in residential and working areas of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) station on the Bolshevik island of the Northern Land archipelago. 114 samples were studied during the expedition work from 2014 to 2016. In total, 47 species of micromycetes were detected in the course of the research. Most of the species (89%) were identified as Ascomycetes. Mucor group of fungi was composed 11% out of all the identified species. The genus Penicillium was the richest in species diversity (16 species). On the surface of materials in places of the increased moisture, there was an open growth of colonies of the Penicillium species. P. expansum was the dominant one, being noted during all the years of observations with the occurrence of about 60%. Among the frequently occurring species, there were P. brevicompactum, P. herqueri, P. purpurogenum and P. waksmanii, which were also noted during all the years of observation (the total occurrence exceeded 15%, although in some years it was much higher). Dark-colored fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides was also dominated species, which in some cases formed black mold on the surface of the materials. Among the potential pathogens, 41 species were registered. A comparison of the data obtained over the years indicates in 2016 the largest number of microfungi to be detected in the indoor environment of AARI station (35 species), whereas in 2014 and 2015 only 29 species of fungi were identified. The similarity of the identified groups of fungi over the years turned out to be quite high. Approximately 36% of microfungi (17 species) were observed annually, although their occurrence over the years varied significantly. Locally accumulation of micromycetes was noted in the indoor environment: household rooms, storage places, workrooms. In these cases, the microfungi colonized the colorful coating, synthetic materials, plywood. The formation of mycobiota in the studied areas is due to anthropogenic invasion of microfungi.
17-21
Sanitary evaluation of soil cover of the Saint Petersburg State University Campus
Abstract
The aim of the study. To assess the contamination of the soil cover of the St. Petersburg State University campus. To accomplish the goal, tasks are set concerning the determination of the content of heavy metals in selected soil samples and their comparison with the available regulatory documents, estimates of the basal respiration of the soil and humus content.
Materials and methods. In 2016-2017 there were executed investigations on the study of the state of soils on the campus of the St. Petersburg State University. Studies were carried out in the Vasileostrovsky and Petrodvorets districts of the city of St. Petersburg. 39 soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30 cm. The content values of heavy metals (Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, V) and arsenic (As) were determined and compared with the available Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) adopted in Russia. The biological activity of soil samples and the humus content were also investigated.
Results. Analysis of heavy metals in soils and their comparison with available MPCs are given for soil samples from two campus areas of the St. Petersburg State University.
Discussion. The investigation of soil samples of two different territories made it possible to identify the features of soil contamination with heavy metals and arsenic and to compare these areas with each other. The predominant majority of samples are characterized by exceeding the MAC limit for arsenic, zinc, nickel, chromium. To clarify the estimation of the levels of total contamination of soils, Zc, also Zst(g) were used in these calculations. Zst(g) takes into account the geometric mean of the concentration coefficients of elements and the toxicity of heavy elements
Conclusion. Samples of soils selected in the Vasileostrovsky district are characterized by a higher pollution category in terms of Zc and Zst(g) than the soils of the Petrodvorets district. For all soil samples, the value of soil pollution index is more than 1, which characterizes the soils as contaminated. The indices of the microbiological activity are similar in the soils of the two investigated areas; the humus content is characterized as an average also in both campus areas.
22-27
The response of the organism of adolescents to the inhalation chemical load and infestation with Giardia
Abstract
Introduction. The anthropogenic load affects the human body, creating the prerequisites for the development of adaptation or maladaptation processes, in which the immune system plays a major role. Giardia infection also affects the immune system.
The aim of the study was to assess the levels of cytokines and immunoglobulin A in adolescents with giardiasis living in conditions of the different inhalation chemical load
Material and Methods. 319 adolescents were included in the study. The individual inhalation chemical load on the adolescents was calculated taking into account data on the content of impurities in the atmospheric air, indoor air, personalized data of schoolchildren. Three groups were selected in accordance with the individual values of the hazard index of the immunity disorders in students. Cases with and without Giardia infection were identified in each group. The content of antibodies to lamblia, interleukins-2 and -10, interferons-alpha and-gamma, immunoglobulin A in schoolchildren was studied by the method of enzyme immunoassay.
Results. The chronic inhalation chemical load with immunotropic substances have been established to cause a decrease in the levels of INF-α, INF-γ, and IgA. Giardia was found to induce the increase in the levels of IgA, IL-2, INF-α, and INF-γ, at hazard indices of the development of pathology of the immune system less than 2.
Discussion. Giardia invasion causes an increase in INF-α, INF-γ, IL-2, IgA levels, which indicates the activation of the immune protection when hazard indices of a danger of impaired immunity were less of 2. Differences in cytokine levels in adolescents with and without giardiasis are leveled when hazard indices were more than 3, which is probably the result of changes in the immune system due to a high level of the chemical stress.
Conclusion. The presence of parasitic infestation and chemical air pollution have a synergistic inhibitory effect on the immune system, namely, they reduce IL-10, Ig A, INF-α, and INF-γ levels, with the higher inhalation load by substances tropic to the immune system.
28-32
Improving the consideration of the risk of the occurrence of the cancer incidence in the system of socio-hygienic monitoring
Abstract
Introduction. In the structure of the population prevalence in the Russian Federation, oncological diseases take the second place that defines the priority of the improvement of the consideration and adjustment of risk factors within the existing system of sanitary inspection.
Material and methods. There was made the analysis of the radiation exposure to the population of the Rostov region by results of radiative and hygienic certification of the territory and by results of social-hygienic monitoring of population health in connection with environmental factors for the period 2006-2016. The subject of the analysis was the levels of the cancer prevalence and cancer mortality in the Rostov region and carcinogenic risks in comparison with the relevant priority factors.
Results. More than 80% of the total equivalent dose received by each resident of the Rostov region depends on technogenic changed natural radiation. The most regulable natural factor is the content of radon in the soil of the sites allocated under the construction and also volume activities of radon in the air of residential and public buildings. The existing normative base considering all these components and therefore further essential change of accounting of a dose load of the population from the natural investment is problematic. At the same time, more than 99% of radiation exposure to the population from technogenic sources depends on medical radiation. By comparison of the actual cancer morbidity of the population with the calculated one, it is established that only 16.75% are caused by those factors which are quantitatively considered in the system of social-hygienic monitoring.
Discussion. Medical radiation doesn't appear in the list of priority oncogenic factors and the radiative risk from medical radiation isn't distinguished in the system of social and hygienic monitoring in spite of the fact that it is provided in "The radiative and hygienic passport" of both territories, and the Russian Federation in general. Smoking as the main known reason for the cancer morbidity still presents in the list of risk factors. The radiation factor does not figure at all among the priority risk factors in the system of social and hygienic monitoring, and as a result, the components of radiation risk are not deciphered.
Conclusion. The measures of the optimization of the consideration of carcinogenic risks in the system of social-hygienic monitoring concerning the differentiated calculation of risks from radiative factors and including information on smoking of the population in the statistical forms provided by institutions of medical service of the a primary link are proposed.
33-37
Contradictions in legislation on medical waste management in the manufacturing of medicinal products
Abstract
Introduction. The rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry makes the impact on the environmeте to be very important. The solution of the problem is related to waste management and, accordingly, the legislative regulation of waste management at medicinal products enterprises.
Materials and methods. The methods of the scientific hypothetical-deductive cognition, general logical methods, and methods of research: analysis, synthesis, abstraction, generalization, induction were applied. The objects of research were laws and regulations governing relations in the field of waste management in the production of medicines, as well as departmental letters.
Results. This article analyzes the contradictions occurring in federal laws and departmental regulations related to the management of medical waste in medicinal products manufacturing, which, on the one hand, may cause the violation of citizens' rights to a healthy environment and sanitary and epidemiological well-being, on the other hand to become the reason of restrictions in development of business. The legislative definition of medical waste was shown to include, besides other things, wastes from medicinal products manufacturing, which leads to the withdrawal of pharmaceutical enterprises waste from the general field of waste legislation. At the same time, there is a transfer of regulation of medicinal products manufacturing waste management to the sanitary legislation field. However, in practice, there is a situation of double regulation by the departmental acts of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare and Federal Service for Supervision over Natural Resource Management.
Discussion. The analysis of the experience in the field of the organization of pharmaceutical waste management in the foreign practice (WHO, EPA) has been introduced, where the concept of pharmaceutical waste was introduced, within which hazardous chemical waste, controlled substances (narcotic, psychotropic, hormones) and biomedical wastes are selected.
Conclusion. The analysis of federal regulations, sanitary norms, and rules, norms of Federal Service for Supervision over Natural Resource Management affecting the management of waste (medical waste) in the production of medicines, shows their limited applicability to modern high-tech industries, which requires bringing the regulatory and legal acts in line and improving the standardization.
38-44
Hygienic assessment of the security with selenium in various groups of the population of the Orenburg region
Abstract
The integrated approach to studying of the element status of the population as a whole, is an actual problem in biology and medicine. 1270 people took part in research - children, teenagers and adults. Selenium definition in hair was carried out on the basis of test laboratory Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization Center of Biotic Medicine, according to methodical instructions TORMENTS 4.1.1482-03, 4.1.1483-03. Average values of selenium in hair (25 - 75 testily interval), received when carrying out population researches in various regions of Russia became a basis for an assessment of accumulation of selenium in hair surveyed. These testily intervals were accepted by us, according to A.V. Skalnu (2003) recommendations, as reference sizes for persons of the corresponding age. These concentration of selenium received during research in hair of the children’s population were much lower than reference sizes: at boys this indicator was lowered by 1,3 times, and at girls by 1,5 times of rather minimum level of physiologically admissible sizes for persons of the corresponding age. The similar picture developed and in group of the surveyed teenagers. Four multiple decrease in indicators of concentration of selenium in hair of both groups of teenagers concerning level 25 testily was established. The comparative analysis of concentration of selenium in hair of adult population of the Orenburg region established decrease in concentration of selenium in hair in all surveyed on the average by 1,5 times of rather reference sizes. The hygienic assessment of concentration of selenium in hair of all surveyed persons revealed decrease in concentration of selenium in hair rather physiologically admissible sizes for all surveyed age groups of the population of the Orenburg region.
45-48
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE
Hygienic aspects of the medical worker’s safety and the problem of the evaluating professional risk
Abstract
The article reflects methodological approaches to the construction of a priori models for assessing the occupational risk of medical workers in physiotherapeutic departments of sanatoriums under the influence of a complex of negative factors of the production environment. The authors carried out a comprehensive hygienic assessment of the occupational risk of medical personnel with the combined use of physiotherapeutic procedures in one of the sanatoria and resort institutions of the Altai Territory. The main objectives of the study were to measure physical, radiation and chemical factors in the work environment at workplaces of medical personnel and to calculate the degree of the occupational risk of workers in accordance with a priori risk assessment models. Based on the results of measurements of physical factors at workplaces of medical workers of physiotherapeutic departments, it is possible to conclude that complex harmful effects include inadequate levels of the air temperature in the work area, artificial illumination, air ionic composition of air and electromagnetic fields. The calculated risk was 0.0975, which corresponds to a moderate risk. The obtained results testify to the existence of a risk, the level of which cannot be neglected, despite the compliance of the level of impact with normative documents. The results of studies of the radiation factor at workplaces in the radon therapy department indicate the equivalent equilibrium radon volume activity to range from 25-109 Bq/m³,and the ambient dose equivalent of gamma radiation in the range of 0.15-0.18 μSv/h, which corresponds to hygienic standards. Therefore, the use of risk-oriented models seems reasonable even in working conditions that are not harmful or dangerous according to the criteria for a special assessment of working conditions. The leading role of electromagnetic radiation for this category of workers is proved in the course of calculations using risk-oriented models of professional risk assessment. It is proposed to develop measures to reduce the electromagnetic load, taking into account the medium and short-term outlook, with an annual review of the degree of occupational risk.
49-54
Assessment of the metabolite of chlororganic pollutants content in urine of workers of polyvinychloride production
Abstract
Introduction. The control and study of changes in the composition of biomedical samples under the influence of toxicants makes it possible to carry out early diagnostics, to reveal occupationally caused diseases. Vinyl chloride (VC) is a compound widely used in the chemical industry, the production of which is continuously growing all over the world, as well as the number of workers employed in it. Thiodiacetic acid (TDAA) is the main metabolite of vinyl chloride and its urinary excretion is associated with its level of exposure.
Material and methods. The study was conducted in a linked sample of 19 workers in the dynamics of two-day 12-hour shifts after a three-day weekend. For 10 workers from this group, a more in-depth study of the dynamics of TDАА excretion before and after the shift was carried out: three 12-hour shifts. The analysis of TDAA in urine was carried out by chromatography-mass spectrometry using an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph with an Agilent 5975C mass-selective detector. To find the optimal parameters for temperature, reaction time, catalyst type, mathematical planning of the 3-factor experiment was carried out. The identification of the TDAА derivative on mass chromatograms was carried out by the absolute retention time (10.36 min) and the intensity ratio of the peaks of the detected ions (146, 178).
Results. Studies have shown average levels of TDAA in the urine of professional groups of workers (apparatchiks, cleaners) to be significantly higher before the next shift (12 hours after the end of the previous shift) than at the end of the previous shift and 1.99 times for operators (p = 0.004) and 2.61 times for cleaners (p = 0.002). Further, there was a significant decrease in the average level of TDAA in the urine relative to the beginning of the shift: 1.72 times for operators (p = 0.006) and 1.62 times for cleaners (p = 0.003).
Conclusion. This analyte can be considered as an informative indicator of the presence of the production effect of VC from the point of view of evidence-based medicine, further confirmation of the need for studies of markers in persons in contact with this toxicant.
55-60
HYGIENE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Hygiene of children and adolescents: personalized and population-based approach to sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of a young generation in modern conditions
Abstract
Today population-based and secondary preventions do not provide the desired results, the existing forms of these preventions do not work. Children, adolescents, and young people almost do not respond to them.
The aims of the study are to substantiate the role and place of hygiene of children and adolescents in modern sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the child population. Expert-analytical, observational study was performed.
Results. The strategy of scientific and technological development of individual and population-based hygiene of children and adolescents and school medicine has been presented.
The strategy includes the population and personalized levels, which ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the children's population, the building skills of a healthy lifestyle for children, adolescents and youth. The population level includes: conducting works on hygienic diagnostics; improvement of the organization and control of the activities; implementation of the control, conducting expert control and sanitary-epidemiological audit in educational organizations; analysis of the results of medical examinations and data concerning of infectious diseases; assessment of health risks associated with professional training; development and improvement of criteria for assessing the provision of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of students in educational organizations.
It is necessary to calculate individual risks and predict their consequences for the child's health and develop the monitoring system for the prevention. The main investors in the development of hygiene of children and adolescents and school medicine are government and the business community.
Conclusion. The current stage of socio-economic, scientific and technological development of Russia requires the use of the achievements and technologies of the population and personalized hygiene of children and adolescents. Further scientific and technological development of population-based and personal hygiene of children and adolescents requires appropriate resources.
61-67
Evaluation of the aerogenic impact of priority chemical factors on the health of the child population in the zone of the exposure of aluminum enterprises
Abstract
Introduction. There is actual development of scientific and methodological support for the formation of the evidence base of the negative impact of environmental factors on public health.
Material and methods. The hygienic assessment of the air quality of the territory with the placement of aluminum production and the territory without similar sources of emissions was carried out, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk was estimated, chemical-analytical and clinical-laboratory examination of 235 children was carried out to study the negative effects of the influence of the studied risk factors on critical organs and systems.
Results. In the conditions of the existing quality of the atmospheric air, conditioned by the economic activity of the enterprise producing aluminum, an unacceptable risk of developing non-carcinogenic effects for the central nervous system, bone system, respiratory system, blood system, liver, kidneys (HI to 33.4) is formed. Children in the zone of exposure to risk factors have an increased (up to 4.0 times) content both of manganese, nickel, chromium in blood, and as the aluminum as fluoride ion in urine (up to 5.5 times) relative to the indices in the comparison group. Children with an elevated content of these compounds in bio medias revealed reliable deviations of laboratory parameters relative to similar parameters in children in the comparison group: a 1.2-fold increase in serum glutamic acid, a 2.2-fold increase in eosinophilia in the nasal secretion, C-terminal telopeptides, total and direct bilirubin, ACAT in blood serum by 1.2 times, β2-microglobulin in blood serum – by 1.8 times. The established negative effects in children, proven to be associated with an increased content of toxic substances in the bio medias, are confirmed by the increased detectability of functional disorders of the autonomic and central nervous system (5.5 times more often), respiratory diseases (2.9 times), musculoskeletal diseases system (in 1.3-1.5 times). Substantiated indices of negative effects must be taken into account when conducting sanitary and epidemiological examinations and developing measures for the prevention of functional diseases of the central nervous system, bone system, respiratory system, liver, kidneys in children permanently residing in a residential building in the zone of emission sources of aluminum plants.
68-75
On the question of the impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on the formation of the syndrome of autonomic dysfunction in school children
Abstract
Introduction. Prevention of the syndrome of autonomic dysfunction (SAD) remains relevant due to the high prevalence and risk of transformation into chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system. Aim to assess the information content of the environmental factors and lifestyle in the formation of SAD in school children.
Material and methods. The studies were carried out in urban and rural iodine-deficient territories of the Irkutsk region with different levels of the technogenic load. A total of 786 school children were examined, 250 children aged 7-17 years were included in the group for the analysis of informative factors. Factors of a way of life, quality of an inhabitancy, biological factors are studied. The influence of the factors studied on the formation of SAD was determined using the Bayes method.
Results. SAD was found in the surveyed group at a frequency of 28.2 ± 2.8 per 100 children. The highest prevalence of this pathology was noted in children in the industrial city - 69.2 ± 3.7, in rural areas - 7.7 ± 2.8. Priority risk factors that can contribute to the development of a SAD in children are identified: an index of the air pollution = total exposure of formaldehyde > volume of training load > intensity of training work > child gender > excretion of formaldehyde > excretion of iodine in the urine> personal anxiety.
Conclusions. The factors of the information content of risk factors in the formation of SAD in schoolchildren can be used for the early detection of persons at risk in conducting preventive medical examinations.
76-81
HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT
The improvement of approaches to the assessment of effects of the anthropogenic air pollution on the population in order to management the risk for health
Abstract
The air pollution has got a great risk to the health of the population. In the risk assessment, objective and subjective uncertainties have appeared. The aim of the study to analyze the uncertainties arising in the assessment of health adverse effects of air pollution and possible ways to decrease them. Methods of the scientific hypothetical deductive cognition, general logical methods, and approaches of researches: analysis, synthesis, abstracting, generalization, induction. In this paper, we analyzed the uncertainties arising in the risk assessment for the health of population caused by air pollution and proposed measures to improve the approaches to assessment and management of the risk. The analysis revealed the main causes of the uncertainties. In the field of the atmospheric air monitoring, they are lack of modern equipment and officially approved methods for measurement, the absence of criteria and recommendation for choosing of controlled air pollutants. For the health assessment, it is advisable to use epidemiological methods and methodology of risk analysis taking into account the uncertainties of each approach. Usage of the geographic information systems let increase the informativity of data and efficiency of analysis. Accurate quantification of the risk for the health of population caused by air pollution is a difficult to challenge. It is necessary to take into account the experience of developed countries in the development of domestic criteria for the selection of substances for the control of atmospheric air quality. It is advisable to combine the analysis of data on the actual concentrations of pollutants obtained at stationary and mobile observation posts, and integrated calculations of air pollution. It is necessary to use basic concepts of evidence-based medicine to identify the real impact of air pollutants on public health and reduce uncertainties.
Conclusion. In the assessment of risk for health caused by air pollution a lot of objective and subjective uncertainties appear. Based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, they should be comprehensively analyzed and minimized using modern methodological approaches, taking into account their capabilities and limitations.
82-86
Methodological features of health risk assessment in acute inhalation effects on the population
Abstract
Risk assessment of acute inhalation effects on the population has methodological features at all stages of the research. When choosing priority substances, a modification of the method for calculating the relative hazard index by the emission value (in g/sec) is proposed. To assess acute risk, 1-hour averaging of concentrations coinciding in duration with reference levels of acute inhalation effects (ARfC) is used. The use in modeling program of a maximum hourly emission value for each source results in an unreasonable overestimation of the values of 1-hour concentrations. The standard parameters of the emission sources from the report on permissible emissions ( PDV) do not provide the data for the mode of sources (on/off), the actual emission rates (g/sec) for each hour, and other parameters that specify the sources operation. Recommendations were developed for calculation of 1-hour concentrations close to real, in assessing the exposure, structure, and format of the additional data and a computer package for the data connection to AERMOD and ISCST3 models, as well as for the truncation of the time series of calculated 1-hour concentrations at 95-98th percentile. Features of the acute risk indices calculation — coefficients (AHQ) and indices (AHI) are described. Using the hourly values of the time series of concentrations the highest AHQ value is determined at each exposure point, which is used to estimate the level of acute risk from a substance. To calculate the hazard index (AHI) of the substances affecting the same critical organs/systems, the AHQ hourly values of individual substances are summarized at each exposure point, the highest AHI value is determined, which is used to assess the level of acute risk from exposure to substances with unidirectional action. The approbation of the described methodical approaches has shown their effectiveness in determining the values of exposures and risks close to real values. Their use has reduced the values of AHQ and AHI acute risk indices to "plausible" values by 2 and 3.7 times, respectively.
87-89
Assessment of the carcinogenic risk for the population of Ulan-Ude
Abstract
Introduction. Oncological pathology has a high medical and social significance, so it is important to study the conditions of its formation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cumulative carcinogenic risk for the population of the administrative center of the Republic of Buryatia (Ulan-Ude).
Material and methods. The identification of the carcinogenic hazard caused by the entry of chemical ingredients into the ambient air was carried out in 2005-2015. The exposure assessment is based on long-term average annual concentrations of carcinogens in the air, drinking water, food. Indices of comparative carcinogenic hazard (HCR) and individual carcinogenic risk (ICR) are calculated.
Results. The huge engineering enterprises are sources of several substances with carcinogenic effects (formaldehyde, chrome VI, cadmium, niсkel, epichlorohydrin, etc.).The individual carcinogenic risk for residents of Ulan-Ude is included in the range unacceptable for the general population. The main pathway for chemical agents to enter the body is inhalation (79%). The greatest contribution to the total individual carcinogenic risk on admission from the air was made by formaldehyde, chromium VI and Benz(a)pyrene. Priority carcinogens coming from drinking water and food are arsenic, cadmium, lead.
Conclusion. Results of the assessment of individual carcinogenic risk in Ulan-Ude indicate an unacceptable level of the impact on the population. The assessment has a number of uncertainties, which determines the need to further improve the monitoring system for carcinogenic hazards.
90-93
Hygienic evaluation of the quality of drinking water and risks for the health of the population of the Primorye territory
Abstract
Introduction. The assessment of water quality and safety of centralized water supply systems in the Primorsky Krai was carried out in order to assess hygiene levels of public health risks associated with drinking water from the distribution network.
Material and methods. The data of laboratory studies on sanitary and chemical parameters in drinking water of the distribution network of the Primorsky region were used. Hygienic assessment of drinking water was carried out according to regulatory requirements, the effect of summation of biological effect was calculated. The work used methodological recommendations for calculating the index of chemical water pollution and the utility coefficient, as well as a guide for assessing the health risks of the population when exposed to chemicals of a non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic nature. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated for all potable water of centralized water supply based on the average daily intake dose and the reference dose of chemicals supplied with drinking water. The risk profile for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects was achieved by comparing exposure levels with reference concentrations (safe) for human health. The risk profile for the combined effects of chemical compounds is based on the calculation of the hazard index (HI). A study on carcinogenic risk was carried out for substances that are identified as carcinogens according to the classification of an international agency for the study of cancer. For the analysis and statistical processing of information, the program "MS Excel" was used.
Results. An assessment of the sanitary and epidemiological safety of centralized systems of domestic and drinking water supply in the region showed that the highest contribution to poor health is made by the content of arsenic, nitrates, iron, silicon, and petroleum products in drinking water. According to the values of hazard indices, the skin and mucous membranes, the central nervous system, the immune system, the endocrine system, the circulatory and digestive organs are exposed to adverse effects from chemicals in drinking water. The individual carcinogenic risk ranges from negligibly small to the upper limit of acceptable carcinogenic risk. Assessment of the potable water value indicator revealed a deficit situation in calcium, sodium, fluorine and general mineralization of water. The risk assessment for arsenic, tetrachlorethylene, and chloroform, which have carcinogenic properties and are the most important pollutants of drinking water, has shown that the individual risk levels for these substances are within the first and second ranges, which corresponds to the allowable and maximum allowable risk.
Discussion. Arsenic concentration in adults was found to be not detected with risks greater than one, while for children, the non-carcinogenic risk from arsenic exceeded the level of safe exposure (HQ>1), because children are more susceptible to toxic substances due to their relatively large volume of respiration and the rate of gastrointestinal absorption (due to greater permeability of the intestinal epithelium), and also due to the immature system of detoxification enzymes and a relatively lower rate of excretion of toxic chemicals. According to the level of non-carcinogenic risk for children, nitrates follow arsenic. Nitrates have a hypoxic effect, increasing the concentration of the irreversible form of hemoglobin — methemoglobin. The toxicity of nitrates is related to their transformation into the human body into nitrosamines. As a result, the child's organism responds more sharply than in adults to the presence of chemicals in the water. The general mineralization of drinking water is one of the integral index of the quality of drinking water. Calcium and magnesium deficiency can be an independent risk factor for the development of various diseases and manifest pathologies of the cardiovascular system: coronary heart disease, hypertensive disease, myocardial infarction, etc. The tap water is known to be is not overloaded with carbonates, since they can lead to spoilage of water pipes. Therefore, to enrich the water with calcium and magnesium, the technology of creating bottled water uses mineral additives, which means that such water can become an additional source of minerals.
Conclusion. Sanitary and hygienic assessment of centralized systems of domestic and drinking water supply in the Primorsky Territory has shown that the quality of drinking water depends on the concentration of arsenic, nitrates, iron, silicon and petroleum products. It should be noted that with the daily use of water from the distribution network throughout life, the likelihood of developing harmful effects on the health of adults and children is insignificant.
94-101
A non-cancer health risk to the population of Vladikavkaz under chronic inhalation exposure to technogenic emissions to atmospheric air
Abstract
A non-cancer health risk to the population of Vladikavkaz inhabitants exposed to chronic inhalation of emissions from non-ferrous metals processing facilities and motor vehicles was assessed. A high risk to the population health caused by industrial and motor vehicles emissions was estimated, whereas the cardiovascular system was most severely affected by negative impact of the technogenic emissions. The necessity to conduct a complex of preventive measures to avoid risk of negative effects of technogenic emissions on the population health was established. As well as the necessity to apply modern methods to calculate the non-cancer health risk to the population of Vladikavkaz under chronic inhalation exposure of technogenic substances in the lower layers of atmospheric air was proved.
102-104
Toxicological and hygienic characteristics of mycotoxin sterigmatocystin and methods for its determination in food products
Abstract
The present issue reviews literature and own research data and gives toxicological and hygienic characteristic of sterigmatocystin. This mycotoxin is produced by fungi of Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Chaetomium, Emiricella species, and is found in cereals, food products (bread, cheese, spices, coffee, dietary supplements) and feed. Sterigmatocystin being a biogenic precursor of aflatoxin B1, has similar chemical structure and exhibits the same toxicological properties, but its toxicity is ten times lower. However, these toxins are rarely detected together. A. versicolor and A. nidulans do not have enzymes necessary for the conversion of sterigmatocystin into aflatoxins, on the contrary, A. flavus and А. parasiticus transform almost all STC into aflatoxins. Sterigmatocystin has been recognized by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic to humans). The primary target organ for both mycotoxins is liver. Sterigmatocystin shows mutagenic, toxic and teratogenic effects in animals. Up to date national and international data on sterigmatocystin occurrence in different products is summarized, analytical methods of the determination are reviewed, hygienic assessment of the STC as a priority pollutant is given in the present paper. Also information on STC exposure assessment with regard to different kinds of foodstuff in different countries is being reported, available data on maximum levels of STC in food and feed is discussed. However, data on toxin’s occurrence in food is insufficient for elaboration of hygienic regulations on allowable mycotoxin’s concentration in priority products. Databases Web of Science, PubMed, E-library, CyberLeninka were used when searching the literature.
105-117
Problems of psycho-hygiene in the staff of the penitentiary system
Abstract
In the article specific, psycho-traumatic conditions of the professional activity of the staff of the penitentiary system are considered. They are associated with the periodically arising threat to life and health, honor and dignity, in the protection and convoy of convicted criminals. The purpose of the study is to identify the problems of psycho-hygienic training of officers of the penitentiary system for performing their professional tasks. The subject of the study is the psycho-hygienic training of officers of the penitentiary system. The subject of the research is the ways of psycho-hygienic training of officers of the penitentiary system. Under the psycho-hygienic training of officers of the penitentiary system, official activity is understood as the formation of a stable psychological state. It ensures effective professional activity. Psychological readiness to perform professional activities is a factor in the effective service of officers of the penitentiary system. Simultaneously - this is an important condition of psycho-hygiene. Psychological readiness needs to be diagnosed during the admission to the service and developed in the process of adaptation during the initial preparation. There is a psychological selection of candidate's compliance with the required conditions of the service. But, most young officers have poor psychological preparedness to perform professional tasks. It is proposed to strengthen the psycho-hygienic aspects of the educational process; to assess the level of psycho-hygienic training of officers of the penitentiary service at the stage of their professional selection; organize the psychotherapeutic support of officers of the penitentiary system during the initial training with the aim of developing their professionally important qualities as the basis for psycho-hygienic training; consider psycho-hygienic training for performance as one of the determining factors in the overall assessment of officers of penitentiary institutions.
118-120
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: серия ПИ № ФС 77 - 37884 от 02.10.2009.