Volume 101, Nº 12 (2022)

Capa

ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE

Weather reactions in persons with respiratory diseases who lives in conditions of the marine climate of Vladivostok

Veremchuk L., Vitkina T., Mineeva E., Barskova L., Gvozdenko T.

Resumo

Introduction. The high prevalence of respiratory diseases is largely due to climate change. Violation of the adaptive-compensatory capabilities of the body, causing an inadequate response of homeostatic systems, is largely determined by a person’s short-term meteorological response to dramatically changing weather conditions.

Materials and methods. The study included a control group (one hundred sixty three people), individuals with bronchial asthma (BA) (221 case) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (148 patients). Short-term (± 1 day) meteor reaction of the respiratory function, cardiovascular and immune systems was assessed. The day of the examination was evaluated as a synchronous meteorological reaction, 1 day before the examination — a follow-up and 1 day after — a signal reaction. There was calculated an integral indicator (Dm%) which determines the percentage of correlations (r at p<0.05) relative to the total amount (r) in the correlation matrix.

Results. The compensatory capabilities of the cardio-respiratory and immune systems under the influence of weather conditions in the healthy population of the city are significantly higher than in COPD and BA cases. Day-to-day changes in weather conditions have the greatest negative impact on the respiratory system, especially in BA and COPD patients The least resistance of the organism was noted under the synchronous action of meteorological components. The greatest compensatory response was established during the signal meteoreaction.

Limitations. A limitation is that the study identified a meteorological response in a specific area under a maritime monsoonal climate.

Conclusion. The healthy population of the city is the most adapted to the local climate. In persons with respiratory diseases, the system of external respiratory is the most vulnerable. In the short-term consideration of the weather-induced reaction, the synchronous position exhibits the greatest negative effect on the main functional systems.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Vladivostok branch of the Far Eastern Scientific Centre of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration — Scientific Research Institute of Medical Climatology and Rehabilitation Treatment (№ 8/2022, 20.09.2022).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Veremchuk L.V. — the concept and design of the study, the collection and processing of material;
Vitkina T.I. — the concept and design of the study, the collection and processing of material;
Mineeva E.E. — a set of clinical groups, functional studies, collection and processing of material;
Barskova L.S. — statistical processing;
Gvozdenko T.A. — collection of literature data, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 11, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1438-1442
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Assessment of the level of pollution of the snow cover with chemical compounds and elements in the territory of the Shelekhov district in Eastern Siberia

Lisetskaya L., Shayakhmetov S.

Resumo

Introduction. In the zone of large industrial clusters of the Irkutsk region, pollution tracers are formed, which are characteristic of each territory. The study of the snow cover makes it possible to make an approximate assessment of the level of atmospheric air pollution in the winter period, as well as to determine the areas of dispersion of emissions.

Materials and methods. In samples of melted snow, the main anions and cations characteristic of emissions from aluminum production were determined by photometric and titrimetric methods, turbidimetric, ionometric and atomic absorption analysis. A quantitative granulometric analysis of the composition of suspensions was carried out using a laser analyzer.

Results. The distribution of particles according to the fractional composition in the districts of the city, differing in anthropogenic load, was studied. Submicroscopic particles up to 1 µm were found in all samples, while their share in the total number of particles was up to 2%. The proportion of particles up to 10 μm was 7–11%. The most predominant particle size is 10–50 microns, they account for 50% of suspensions in residential areas and up to 80% near the industrial area. It is shown that in the zone of influence of the transport highway, the content of sulfates, nitrates, calcium, and magnesium in the snow is increased. The content of fluorides, aluminum and beryllium in the snow cover is determined by the direction of the prevailing winds.

Limitations. The limitation of the study is due to a samples located only in residential areas of the city and suburban agricultural territory for a one-year period (winter 2018–2019). In this article, we limited ourselves to the analysis of inorganic compounds only; the content of organic compounds is presented in another article.

Conclusion. The study of the chemical composition of the snow cover in various functional zones of the city of Shelekhov allows us to conclude that the melt water of snow precipitation can be attributed to the hydrocarbonate-chloride calcium class with a high concentration of fluorides and nitrates. The nature of pollution of the urban environment is greatly influenced by emissions from industrial enterprises, vehicles and the economic activities of urban organizations. The overall pollution of the suburban agricultural area, despite the high frequency of wind in this direction, is significantly lower than in the residential area of ​​the city. The prevailing winds contribute to the transfer of harmful substances over long distances, adversely affecting the ecosystems of the region.

Compliance with ethical standards: the study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Lisetskaya L.G. — concept and design of research, material collection and data processing, mathematical processing, text writing;
Shayakhmetov S.F. — concept of research.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare the absence of obvious and potential conflicts of interest in connection with the publication of this article.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: 10.08.2022 / Accepted: 08.12.2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1443-1449
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Biotesting for the objectivization of the hygienic evaluation of the surface and underground drinking water sources

Gusev Y., Ivanov D., Erdniev L., Kuzyanov D., Kosheleva I., Savina K., Mikerov A.

Resumo

Introduction. An algorithm for evaluating the hygienic safety of drinking water sources based on biotesting and studying sanitary and chemical indicators has been developed and tested.

Materials and methods. The research methods included sanitary and chemical analysis of water samples, as well as biotesting methods using single-celled green alga Chlorella vulgaris Beijer and bull spermatozoa.

Results. For experimental approbation of the developed algorithm for determining the hygienic safety of water based on a two-component system of express biotesting and measurement of sanitary and chemical indicators, 6 underground and 5 surface water sources were evaluated. The response of test objects indicating the presence of acute toxicity in water samples taken from surface and underground in many cases correlates with the excess of MPC for individual indicators identified by sanitary and chemical analysis. For two water samples, differences were found between the results of biotesting and sanitary-chemical analysis, and therefore it is necessary to conduct an extended toxicological and chemical assessment to identify the source of toxic effects.

Limitations. The two-component test system cannot be used separately without sanitary and chemical analysis of water media.

Conclusion. Biotesting can be an addition to sanitary and chemical analyses, showing the presence of toxic substances that are not in the list of mandatory indicators to be determined (according to MR 2.1.4.0176-20 (in Russian)).

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of a biomedical ethics committee opinion or other documents.

Contribution:
Gusev Yu.S. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Ivanov D.E. — concept and design of the study, writing the text;
Erdniev L.P. — writing the text, editing;
Kuzyanov D.A. — collection and processing of material, statistical data processing, writing text, editing;
Kosheleva I.S. — collection and processing of material, writing text, editing;
Savina K.A. — collection and processing of material, writing text, editing;
Mikerov A.N. — concept and design of the study, approval of the final version of the article.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: Octoober 10, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1450-1457
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Рroblems of the safe use of modern cement materials in the practice of drinking water supply

Alekseeva A., Savostikova O.

Resumo

Introduction. Recently, there have been increasing changes in the technology of preparation of cement mixtures and concrete, the use of new components in their composition, since traditional materials are not quite suitable for the construction of hydraulic structures, including the internal coating of pipes and drinking water tanks. However, in addition to improving the characteristics of cement mixtures, additives can have a negative impact on the environment and human health by leaching out of cement into drinking water. The definition of only the main components specified in the “Universal sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for goods subject to sanitary-epidemiological supervision (control)” (hereinafter — the Universal Requirements) does not provide complete information about the chemical safety of cement materials during the hygienic assessment.

Materials and methods. There were studied eleven samples of cement mixtures from various manufacturers repaired of reinforced concrete products and structures of general and special purpose, including those in contact with drinking water, and used for the sanitation of the internal surfaces of steel pipelines (including hot water supply systems) and repair and restoration work. The evaluation of samples was carried out taking into account Universal requirements, and indicators that are not mandatory for the evaluation of these materials were investigated.

Results. Hygienic assessment of cement mixtures showed lithium to be detected in some extracts in concentrations from 20 mg/L to 0.18 mg/L, which is 666 times higher than its maximum permissible concentration — 0.03 mg/L. Also, two samples showed a slight excess of the permissible chromium concentration — 0.065 mg/L and 0.09 mg/L (MPC < 0.05). Iron and zinc in insignificant concentrations were found in aqueous extracts; in one of the samples a 2-fold excess of the manganese concentration was observed. One water extract contains silicates at a concentration of 34.24 mg/L, which exceeds their permissible levels in drinking water. The analysis also identified a number of organic compounds related to oxygen-containing compounds (alcohols, phenol derivatives, ketones, esters, phthalates), for most of which no MPC has been established.

Limitations. The study was carried out on eleven samples of cement mixtures under standard conditions: infusion in model media for 30 days at room temperature in the ratio: 1 cm2 of the sample surface to 1 cm3 of water. Sampling was carried out on the Days 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 of research, without changing the test water. It is necessary to conduct similar studies under experimental conditions close to the operating conditions of these materials.

Conclusion. Assessing the efficiency of migration from cement-bound materials, it is necessary to take into account their capillary-porous structure on the one hand and the ability to improve the coating properties over time by converting calcium hydroxide present in freshly applied cladding into denser calcium bicarbonate. The migration of chemicals from cement-bound material is to be evaluated by taking into account the specific conditions of their use in the practice of drinking water supply, and the assessment of the additives introduced should be carried out on test cement samples, since it is impossible to theoretically calculate the migration rate of the components from the finished material.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Alekseeva A.V. — the concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data, editing;
Savostikova O.N. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: December January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1458-1463
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Current status of hygienic regulation of laser radiation in the Russian Federation and abroad (literature review)

Pokhodzey L., Paltsev Y.

Resumo

Currently, in the Russian Federation, there have been approved regulatory and methodological documents which, unlike the previous SNiP No. 5804–911, have a number of significant drawbacks, their requirements often contradict each other, which does not always allow a fully adequate assessing safety modern sources of laser radiation at workplaces and in the environment. Abroad, hygienic regulation of laser radiation is carried out both at the national, and within international organizations. At the same time, the maximum permissible levels (MPL) contained in them in most normalized wavelength ranges are significantly softer than those established by SanPiN No. 1.2.3685–212, and, at the same time, they form the base of interstate GOSTs adopted in our country. The lack of a unified principle for determining the hazard classes of the generated laser radiation is also a problem for developers, users and specialists who ensure laser safety.

A critical analysis of the current state of hygienic regulation of laser radiation in our country and abroad showed at present an extremely important and urgent task to be the development of new regulatory and methodological documents that summarize the extensive domestic and foreign research experience in this area, taking into account the scientific achievements of recent years, which will ensure the preservation of the health of persons exposed to laser radiation.

Contribution. All co-authors made an equal contribution to the research and preparation of the article for publication. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: May 24, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023


1 Sanitary norms and rules for the device and operation of lasers. Approved Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the USSR on July 31, 1991 No. 5804-91.
2 SanPiN 1.2.3685–21. Hygienic standards and requirements for ensuring the safety and (or) harmlessness of environmental factors for humans. Approved. Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation 28.01.2021.

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1464-1468
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The effect of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air on the formation and course of the T2 endotype of bronchial asthma: a case-control study

Fatkhutdinova L., Skorokhodkina O., Yapparova L., Khakimova M., Rakhimzyanov A., Ablyaeva A., Noskov A., Gabidinova G., Timerbulatova G., Zalyalov R.

Resumo

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air on the formation and course of allergic and non-allergic phenotypes of the T2 endotype of bronchial asthma (BA) using the case-control study.

Materials and methods. BA patients were selected in the course of seeking medical help. The groups were formed on the base of matching criteria (gender, age, body mass index, level of education), supplemented by the collection of information about potential cofounders. Based on the data on monitoring the content of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air of Kazan, the average annual and maximum concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 fractions were determined in the residential areas. The group of “cases” included forty patients with an allergic phenotype and 42 patients with an eosinophilic non-allergic phenotype of bronchial asthma, the control group included forty eight people. Additionally, sampling of atmospheric air was carried out using an 8-stage impactor to assess the content of bacterial endotoxin, and elemental composition.

Results. Higher levels of pollution with fine suspended particles were demonstrated in the areas of residence of BA patients, comparing to the control group. An increase in the average annual concentration of the PM2.5 by 10 µg/m3 increases the odds of the eosinophilic non-allergic BA phenotype in adults by 4.76 times. The odds of the allergic phenotype of bronchial asthma increases in the presence of bacterial endotoxin — 1.32 times per 0.01 EU/m3 of endotoxin in the 3.2–18 µm size fraction. A more severe course of the eosinophilic non-allergic BA phenotype was noted at higher average annual concentrations of the PM2.5. The control of allergic asthma depends on the bacterial contamination of the aerosol.

Limitations of the study are related to the use of geospatial approach to assess personalized average annual and maximum annual concentrations.

Conclusion. The role of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air in the development of bronchial asthma in adults has been shown. Various mechanisms were established to be involved in the formation of the clinical picture of the eosinophilic non-allergic and allergic phenotypes of bronchial asthma.

Compliance with ethical standards: the Local ethics committee of the Kazan State Medical University approved this study.

Contribution:
Fatkhutdinova L.M. — the concept and design of the study, data analysis and interpretation, writing the article, editing, preparing the article for publication;
Skorokhodkina O.V. — selection of patients with bronchial asthma and comparison group, data analysis and interpretation, text editing;
Khakimova M.R. — medical examination of patients with bronchial asthma and comparison group, data analysis and interpretation;
Rakhimzyanov A.R. — medical examination of patients with bronchial asthma and comparison group, data analysis and interpretation;
Yapparova L.I. — atmospheric air sampling using the impactor, gravimetric analysis and characterization of aerosol bacterial contamination, data interpretation;
Ablyaeva A.V. — survey of study participants on the presence of factors that increase the risk of bronchial asthma, data analysis and interpretation;
Gabidinova G.F. — statistical processing of the results, preparation of graphs, text editing;
Noskov A.I. — TEM analysis of the size distribution and composition of sampled aerosol particles, data analysis and interpretation;
Timerbulatova G.A. — analysis of the data on monitoring the content of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air of Kazan, data analysis and interpretation, text editing;
Zalyalov R.R. — study design, data analysis and interpretation, text editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgment. The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 19-05-50094. 

Received: October 12, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1469-1475
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International experience of regulation of odourous substances in the ambient air (literature review)

Budarina O., Sabirova Z., Shipulina Z.

Resumo

The article provides an overview of the foreign literature data on the justification of permissible content of odourous substances in the ambient air. The process of harmonization of Russian legislation with international norms and rules, including the field of regulating atmospheric air pollution with specific odours, is shown to necessitate significantly expanding approaches to the issues of standardization and assessing environmental pollution by emissions from enterprises — odour sources. Analysis of foreign experience in odour management in the environment shows the main criteria for assessing air quality to include the absence of “annoyance” of the population by odours, maximum permissible concentrations for individual substances, maximum permissible concentrations for ambient odours, permissible odour frequency, minimum distances from the source, odour intensity, the maximum permissible amount of emissions, compliance with technological standards. Accordingly, in different countries recommended or mandatory limiting values were established on the base on which criterion for assessing odour exposure is decisive in this case. Typically, different jurisdictions use more than one approach to odour assessment, as do various regulatory indicators depending on the situation with the type of enterprise, the characteristics of residential sites and other receptor points. According to many authors, the application of various air quality standards for odour and a carefully thought-out approach to odour management can successfully or completely resolve most conflicts when working with the local population. The search for sources devoted to the issues of standardization of odourous substances was carried out in the text databases as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, Research Gate, Springer Link and the scientific electronic library eLibrary.ru. The article analyzes the articles of journals indexed in the RSCI, Scopus, for 2001–2021.

Contribution:
Budarina O.V. — the concept and design of the study, writing a text, editing;
Sabirova Z.F. — the collection and processing of the material, writing a text;
Shipulina Z.V. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: February 9, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1476-1481
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Cardiovascular risk factors in metalworking industry workers

Zaikina I., Komleva N., Mazilov S., Pozdnyakov M., Raykin S., Dolich V., Rajkova S.

Resumo

Introduction. Many cardiovascular risk factors are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is recognized as one of the predictors of cardiovascular diseases. Considering non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to be asymptomatic for a long time, it is very important to determine the relationships between various factors involved in the formation of pathology to early detect and prevent cardiovascular diseases in people of working age.

Materials and methods. As part of a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in metalworking workers was studied. The body mass index, lipid profile indicators, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, liver ultrasound results, lipid accumulation index, physical activity were analyzed.

Results. The study revealed the presence of liver steatosis in 37% of the study participants. In 19%, liver steatosis was detected with a normal body mass index with a predominance in the “elderly” group; the values of the lipid profile are statistically significantly higher in the group of people diagnosed with liver steatosis: total cholesterol (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001), atherogenicity index (p < 0.001); and hyperglycemia (p < 0.001). The coefficient of lipid accumulation increases with age, presence of steatosis, and obesity. In the group of persons with hepatic steatosis, persons with low physical activity significantly predominate.

Limitations. The study has regional (Saratov region) and occupational (workers of the metalworking industry) limitations.

Conclusion. The results of the study showed a high prevalence of liver steatosis among metalworking workers, mainly in elderly men. The established interrelations of the studied cardiovascular risk factors confirm significant cardiometabolic disorders in metalworking workers, which, under conditions of additional exposure to production factors, can potentiate the development of cardiovascular diseases and their complications, cause fatal cases, including at work.

Compliance with ethical standards. Research was conducted in compliance with the requirements of confidentiality of personal data, ethical standards, and principles for conducting medical research involving humans, set out in the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association of the latest (2008) revision. The study was carried out with the permission of the local ethical committee of the Saratov MNC of Hygiene of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "FNC of Medical and Preventive Technologies of Public Health Risk Management" (Protocol No. 11 of 01.08.2022).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Zaikina I.V. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Komleva N.E. — the concept and design of the study, editing;
Mazilov S.I. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
Pozdnyakov M.V. — collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Raykin S.S. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
Dolich V.N. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
Raikova S.V. — collection and processing of material, writing a text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 11, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1482-1487
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The prevalence and risk factors of the carpal tunnel syndrome in railway workers

Shirokov V., Varaksin A., Kochurova L., Terekhov N., Lepilina M.

Resumo

Introduction. We conducted a comparative analysis of the prevalence and assessed risks of developing the carpal tunnel syndrome in relation to occupation, age, length of employment, and the body mass index for nine hundred twelve railway workers exposed to various occupational risk factors, including whole-body and local vibration, dynamic and static exercise, and hypodynamia.

Materials and methods. The subjects were divided into three groups by working conditions. The first group included 304 drivers and their assistants, the second group was represented by 298 track fitters, and the third group consisted of 310 dispatchers. The carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed on the base of complaints, the clinical picture, an in-depth neural orthopedic examination according to a unified methodology, and electroneuromyography results. For statistical data analysis, descriptive statistics, logistic regression and comparison of shares based on the binomial distribution were used.

Results. The risk of developing the syndrome in workers of all groups demonstrated a 1.65-fold gain for every 10 years of life. The highest prevalence of the disease was established among the track fitters (10.3%). The odds of developing the syndrome increased by 1.17 and 1.19 times with a unit increase in the body mass index in the workers of the second and third groups, respectively. Cardiovascular diseases were found to have the greatest impact on the occurrence of the carpal tunnel syndrome in the workers of the third group (OR=8.58); their impact in other workers was weaker but always statistically significant.

Limitations. The article has limitations on detailing working conditions of the groups under study.

Conclusion. Our findings show in the group of drivers and their assistants, the highest risk of the carpal tunnel syndrome to be associated with the length of employment while in the groups of track fitters and dispatchers it was mainly determined by age and the body mass index, respectively.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers, Minutes No. 3 of July 12, 2022.

Contribution:
Shirokov V.A. — concept and design of research, editing;
Varaksin A.N. — concept and design of research, statistical processing, editing;
Kochurova L.L. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing, text writing;
Terekhov N.L. — statistical processing;
Lepilina M.V. — concept and design of research, collection and processing the material, writing the text.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: July 18, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1488-1492
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Effectiveness of transcranial electrical stimulation in the comorbid course of occupational hearing loss and hypertension

Sukhova A., Preobrazhenskaya E.

Resumo

Introduction. Diseases of the cardiovascular system, which are an additional unfavourable factor for the development and progression of occupational sensorineural hearing loss (OSNHS), should be taken into account when carrying out therapeutic and preventive measures among workers of noise professions.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in the comorbid course of OSNHS and arterial hypertension (AH).

Materials and methods. Two groups of OSNHS patients in combination with AH were examined. Group 1 (128 people) received only basic drug therapy, in group 2 (126 people), TES was carried out along with basic therapy. The dynamics of treatment was assessed by daily monitoring of blood pressure (DMBP), audiological parameters, and indicators of the quality of life according to the SF-36 questionnaire.

Results. As a result of treatment, in group 2 of patients receiving TES, there was a more pronounced positive dynamics of DMBP indicators and normalization of the daily blood pressure profile, an increase in the adaptive capabilities of the body from the level of “functional overstrain” to “sufficient, satisfactory adaptation” was found. TES contributed to the improvement of hearing, which was confirmed by the data of tonal threshold audiometry and optoacoustic emission, and indicators of quality of life according to the SF-36 questionnaire.

Limitations. The study is limited to the study of the effectiveness of the use of TES in patients with mild and moderate OSNHS on the background of stage 1-2 AH with mild and moderate arterial hypertension.

Conclusion. The results obtained give grounds to recommend the TPP methodology in a complex of therapeutic and preventive measures for OSNHS patients in combination with AH to ensure the most adequate therapy and effective prevention aimed at preserving health and longevity.

Compliance with ethical standards. The research program was approved by the Committee on Biomedical Ethics of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing, (Protocol No. 16 of February 18, 2021).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution. All co-authors made an equal contribution to the research and preparation of the article for publication. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: July 15, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1493-1498
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Features of the development of the mucosal immune system of the upper respiratory tract in ferrous metallurgy workers

Bushueva T., Roslaya N., Varaksin A., Karpova E., Vedernikova M., Labzova A., Gribova Y., Sakhautdinova R., Shastin A., Gagarina M.

Resumo

Introduction. The exposure to industrial aerosols triggers the response of the adaptive and innate mucosal immunity in the upper airways.

Objective. To analyze the impact of work-related risk factors on the development of local mucosal immunity in workers engaged in extraction of vanadium-bearing iron ore, and cast iron and steel production.

Materials and methods. We examined one thousand five hundred forty seven male workers of two mining and metallurgical industries. The first cohort included 788 vanadium-bearing iron ore miners and the second cohort comprised 719 cast iron and steel production workers, both standardized by age and years of employment. Occupational risk factors identified in both cohorts included the exposure to fibrous aerosols and aliphatic hydrocarbons, and poor microclimate (high or low air temperature) at workplaces. The workers of the second cohort were also exposed to manganese compounds, vanadium (V) oxide, chromium, nickel, and iron compounds. The control group consisted of 40 engineering and technical personnel.

Results. A significant increase in secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was detected in the miners exposed to aliphatic hydrocarbons and low air temperature. In the ferrous metallurgy workers, the exposure to low air temperature, crystalline silicon, and aliphatic hydrocarbons caused a significant decrease in the level of sIgA while the exposure to manganese oxides induced a decrease in the bactericidal function of neutrophils.

Limitations. The main limitations of the research were related to the selected criterion of inclusion in the merged occupational cohorts with account for exposure to adverse microclimate parameters, silicon-containing aerosols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and manganese compounds. In view of the multiplicity of occupational risk factors in the industry, it is important to conduct additional studies of a larger sample for qualitative and quantitative presentation of convincing evidence of health effects of other factors of the work environment.

Conclusions. We established a multidirectional response of the mucosal immunity to production factors in the examined workers. A combined exposure to chemical and physical occupational factors has a stronger health effect than a single one. Differences in the level of sIgA in workers exposed to different occupational hazards prove the advisability of an in-depth immunological examination combined with an assessment of the functional status as indicators of occupational adaptation.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study approval was provided by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Minutes No. 8 of December 26, 2016). 

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Bushueva T.V. — the concept and design of the study, the collection and processing of the material, statistical analysis, writing text;
Roslaya N.A. — the concept and design of the study, writing text;
Varaksin A.N., Shastin A.S., Karpova E.P., Gribova Yu.V., Sakhautdinova R.R., Vedernikova M.S., Labzova A.K. — the collection and processing of the material, statistical analysis;
Gagarina M.S. — editing.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1499-1504
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Some aspects of the diagnosis of osteopenic syndrome in workers of vibration-hazardous professions

Klimkina K., Lapko I., Bogatyreva I.

Resumo

Introduction. The adverse effects of both production factors and the labour process affect the bone mineral density, increasing the risk of developing osteopenic syndrome in workers of harmful industries, which is an urgent social and hygienic problem due to the high prevalence and severity of medical and social consequences.

Objective. The study of the state of bone tissue in miners whose occupational activities are associated with the impact of vibration (general and local).

Materials and methods. For the period 2015–2022, there were examined three hundred twenty mining workers, whose activities were associated with exposure to general and local vibration (group 1). The average age of the workers was 46.64±2.33 years. The comparison group (Group 2) consisted of 290 men without identified pathology of the musculoskeletal system, not employed in production associated with exposure to general and local vibration and who gave voluntary consent to the study. The average age of the examined cases is 45.57±2.28 years. Markers of bone formation and bone resorption in body fluids were analyzed. The statistical data were expressed as an average value ± standard deviation. The differences were checked using the T-test. The values of p <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results. The T-score in patients of group 1 ranged from –1 SD to –2.5 SD (–1.41±0.07*), which corresponded to osteopenia. Elevated levels of CRP (4.24±0.20 mmol/L), ESR (8.91±0.45 mm/h) and leukocytes (12.91±0.70×109 g/L) were revealed among patients of group 1. Changes in the state of calcium-phosphorus metabolism among patients of the 1st group were noted. The formation of osteopenic syndrome was accompanied by an imbalance between the processes of resorption and bone formation in group 1 patients (p<0.05).

Limitations. The process under study was osteopenic syndrome, 310 workers — a quantitative parameter, mining production — a qualitative indicator.

Conclusion. According to the results of laboratory and instrumental methods of research, osteopenic syndrome was revealed in workers in vibrio-hazardous occupations. Its early diagnosis, determination of a complex of specific treatment and rehabilitation techniques will prevent the progression of the pathological process and maintain professional orientation.

Compliance with ethical standards. Clinical trials have been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing, Mytishchi, 141014, Russian Federation (Protocol No. 3, 2021). 

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Klimkina K.V. — writing text, collection and processing of material, statistical processing;
Lapko I.V. — concept and design of research, collection of literature data, editing;
Bogatyreva I.A. — concept and design of research, collection of literature data, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: July 22, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1505-1508
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Evaluation of the impact of industrial single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on human respiratory tract epithelial cells

Gabidinova G., Timerbulatova G., Daminova A., Galyaltdinov S., Dimiev A., Kryuchkova M., Fakhrullin R., Fatkhutdinova L.

Resumo

Introduction. In the present study, a comparative assessment of the toxic effects of industrial single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT and MWCNT) at doses corresponding to industrial exposures on BEAS-2B and A549 cells was carried out.

Materials and methods. The size distribution of SWCNT and MWCNT agglomerates in dispersions was estimated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed using a MTS test and LDH assay. The interaction of CNTs with cells was visualized using dark-field and transmission electron microscopy.

Results. Cytotoxic effects of pristine SWCNT and MWCNT in concentrations of 50–200 μg/ml and purified SWCNT in the range of 25–200 μg/ml were found in BEAS-2B cells. SWCNT and MWCNT were found to penetrate into the cytoplasm of both BEAS-2B and A549 cells, while MWCNT are more often revealed in the intracellular content as vacuolized clusters, and single SWCNT and agglomerates are visualized in the cytoplasm without a tendency to vacuolization.

Limitations. CNT were introduced into cells in the form of dispersions, where both single nanotubes and their agglomerates were found. The calculation of CNT concentrations for introduction into cells was based on computer simulation.

Conclusion. Further study of the mechanisms of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of different types of carbon nanotubes (CNT) may contribute to the identification of MWCNT and SWCNT specific effects on the cells of the respiratory system to develop methodological approaches to the safe use of CNT.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require submission of the opinion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Gabidinova G.F. — literature review on the topic of research, cell cultivation, tests (LDH) on cells, statistical data processing, preparation of pictures, generalization of the results;
Timerbulatova G.A. — literature review on the topic of research, cell cultivation, tests (MTS) on cells, preparation of pictures, generalization of the results;
Daminova A.G. — transmission electron microscopy, suspension morphometry, generalization of the obtained results;
Galyaltdinov Sh.F. — preparation of suspensions of materials for introduction into cells;
Dimiev A.M. — development of methods for preparing suspensions of materials for introduction into cells;
Kryuchkova M.A. — visualization of nanomaterials in cells (dark field microscopy);
Fakhrullin R.F. — visualization of nanomaterials in cells (dark field microscopy);
Fatkhutdinova L.M. — material analysis; editing; preparing an article for publication.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant № 22-25-00512, https://rscf.ru/project/22-25-00512/

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1509-1520
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The individual characteristics of thermoregulation in oil production workers exposed to cooling meteorological factors

Polyakova E., Meltser A., Syurin S.

Resumo

Introduction. To prevent health disorders under the influence of cooling meteorological factors of open production sites, the assessment of the individual characteristics of the employee’s thermoregulation is of particular importance.

The purpose of the study was to describe the individual characteristics of thermoregulation of employees of an oil producing enterprise when working in open production sites during the cold season.

Materials and methods. We studied the employees of the oil-producing enterprise of Western Siberia, performing labour operations in open production sites during the cold season (operators, process plant machinists, repairmen). An assessment of general and local violations of thermoregulation of the body of workers was carried out using objective assessment methods (assessment of the thermal state of the body in seventy six people, skin thermometry with cold load — 54 people) according to approved methods. The duration of work in the open area of the workers included in the study ranged from 12 to 31 hours during a 40-hour work week.

Results. According the assessment of the thermal state of workers, in 18.8% of workers, the personal indicators for assessing the thermal state were found to fail to correspond to the recommended values in the guidelines. Evaluation of the results of skin thermometry with a cold load in workers performing labour operations in open production sites under cooling conditions of the cold season of the year made it possible to establish the average values of temperature indicators in the study group to indicate the presence of initial signs of violations of the thermal control of the body and neurocirculatory disorders in the hands and fingers. An assessment of individual characteristics showed general and local violations of thermoregulation to be associated with the duration of work at open production sites, the objective indicators of local violations of thermoregulation were additionally affected by the employee’s smoking habit and work experience.

Limitations. Significant time costs for assessing the general and local thermoregulation of the employees of the enterprise and distracting them from performing labor operations during the shift can be attributed to the limitations of the methodology.

Conclusion. For the first time, the revealed features of thermoregulation in oil production workers in Western Siberia made it possible to develop targeted medical and preventive measures.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study with the participation of volunteers was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov (Protocol of November 22, 2017, No.12).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Meltser A.V. — concept and research design, choice of analytical methods, data collection and processing, writing the text, editing, approval of the final version of the article;
Polyakova E.M. — literature review, data collection and processing, database creation, analysis of the results obtained, statistical analysis, writing the text of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Syurin S.A. — literary review, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: September 16, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1521-1527
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Features of clinical and laboratory changes in the body under the intense influence of factors of cement production

Kryuchkova E.

Resumo

Introduction. Industrial dust is an extremely common occupational hazard, which affects large contingents of workers. In this regard, early detection of its negative effect on the body will make it possible, even at the stage of pre-pathology, to register negative dynamics and the specifics of increasing the risk of health disorders in workers of dust-hazardous occupations.

The aim of the work is to evaluate changes in a number of indicators of the main homeostasis systems under prolonged exposure to industrial aerosol.

Materials and methods. Two hundred thirty four cement production workers (observation group) and 69 control group people who were not exposed to harmful factors of production were examined. Biochemical and immunological studies were carried out using standard and unified methods.

Results. With an increase in work experience in conditions of intense dustiness, the examined workers have an imbalance of oxidative metabolism manifested with the elevated content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (r=0.85), depressed activity of antioxidant defense enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase in MPn neutrophils (r=–0.64,–0.88)). On the part of the immune system, there was an increase in the levels of immunoglobulins IgA, IgE and circulating immune complexes by 1.6–2.0 times and inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-4) by 2.0–3.5 times relative to the control. The high intensity of inflammatory processes in all probation groups was confirmed by an increase (α2-, β-, γ-globulins) in 35–69% of workers and an increase in the cytokine balance coefficient of Ci up to 1,8 times, reflecting the activation of the pro-inflammatory component.

Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the fact that the results obtained characterize the state of the immunobiochemical status of employees of a cement enterprise, however, the proposed methods can be used to assess the health status of persons exposed to dust production exposure.

Conclusion. The results of the study prove the negative role of cement dust in the formation of protective and compensatory reserves of the body, which can be regarded as criteria for changing resistance and predictors of health disorders already in low-skilled workers. It is advisable to use the proposed biomarkers for the timely implementation of therapeutic, preventive and health measures.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing, conducted in accordance with the norms of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (2013).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: July 18 , 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1528-1533
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HYGIENE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Hygienic evaluation of television advertising and adherence to consumer rights

Kuchma V., Makarova A., Naryshkina E., Yamshchikova N., Laponova E., Yumaguzhina V.

Resumo

Introduction. In the changing socio-economic conditions, the problem of advertising for children, using a child’s image, the impact of advertising on children’s food consumption and the consequences for their health, has not been sufficiently studied.

The choice of unhealthy foods has public health implications, increasing the risks of developing noncommunicable diseases. The use of children’s images in advertising is of concern to specialists in the field of preserving the health of children, since the peculiarities of development and imperfection of legislation in the field of advertising make adolescents vulnerable to the effects of advertising promotion of food.

The aim of the study was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of food and beverages advertising intended for children and adolescents on Russian television, and an assessment of the impact of television advertising with the participation of children on the consumer.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of food and beverages advertising for children, broadcast on TNT’s Carousel channel (sample of 513 ads), was conducted. To assess the impact of advertising on the potential ability of the consumer to purchase the advertised product, a random sample of undergraduate students was selected.

Results. In 36.7% of the analyzed advertisements appeared products with excessive sugar content, chips, fast food.

Conclusion. On children’s television channels, more than half of the commercials promote food products that are not actually products of the daily diet of kid food, which creates distorted ideas about rational nutrition among children’s audiences. In 24.5% of commercials with the participation of children, there is false information about products containing sugar and rich in trans fats.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted in compliance with the ethical standards set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association and the directives of the European Community (8/19 EC).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Kuchma V.R. — concept and design of the study, editing, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;  
Makarova A.Yu. — concept and design of research, collection and processing of material, writing of the text, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Naryshkina E.V. — design, editing, text writing, statistical processing;
Yamshchikovа N.L. — design, editing;
Laponova E.D. — design of research, editing, approval of the final version of the article;
Yumaguzhina V.R. — collection and processing of material, text writing, statistical processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 14, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1534-1541
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Immune and neurohumoral profile of the children population living in the conditions of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene

Nikonoshina N., Dolgikh O.

Resumo

Introduction. Benzo(a)pyrene induces disorders of immune and neurohumoral regulation that are aggravated by the influence of unfavourable climatic and geographical factors in the Far North. In this regard, studies of the features of the immune and neurohumoral profile are of particular relevance for the identification of markers of early health disorders of the population of industrially developed circumpolar territories (using the example of benzo(a)pyrene).

Materials and methods. Five hundred 3–6 year children living in the circumpolar territory of Eastern Siberia were examined. Observation group consisted of 352 children living in conditions of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene. Comparison group included 148 children residing at a relatively clean territory. Determination of the content of benzo(a)pyrene in the blood was carried out by HPLC. Phenotyping of CD3+-, CD19+-, CD3+CD95+-, Annexin V-FITC+7AAD and Annexin V-FITC+7AAD+-lymphocytes was performed by flow cytofluorometry. The level of IgA, IgM, IgG was determined by Mancini radial immunodiffusion, the IgG content to benzo(a)pyrene was determined by allergosorbent testing. The content of acetylcholine, serotonin, and neurotropin-3 was determined by ELISA.

Results. Children living in the industrially developed circumpolar territory of Eastern Siberia have an increased level of blood contamination with benzo(a)pyrene (p<0.05). The immune profile is characterized by inhibition of cellular (CD3+ deficiency) and humoral immunity (decreased IgA, IgM, IgG with an excess of CD19+). Violations of apoptosis (decrease in Annexin V-FITC+7AAD, Annexin V-FITC+7AAD+-lymphocytes; increase in Bcl-2 and CD95+) were revealed (p<0.05). An increased IgG to benz(a)pyrene content were found (p<0.05). The neurohumoral profile of the examined children is characterized by hyperexpression of serotonin with acetylcholine and neurotropin-3 deficiency (p<0.05).

Limitations. The results of the study are intended for specialists in the field of hygiene, immunology and allergology.

Conclusion. Revealed features of the immune status (deficiency of CD3+, Annexin V-FITC+7AAD, and Annexin V-FITC+7AAD+-lymphocytes IgA, IgM, IgG, excess CD19+, CD95+, Bcl-2, IgG to benzo(a)pyrene), associated with changes in sympathetic-parasympathetic balance (excess serotonin, deficiency of acetylcholine, neurotropin-3) characterize the features of the immune and neurohumoral profile in the children population of the circumpolar territories of Eastern Siberia under the conditions of exposure to benzo(a)pyrene.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was carried out in compliance with the ethical requirements of the Helsinki Declaration of the WMA 2000 and the Protocol of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine 1999. The study was approved by the LEC of the Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being (Protocol No. 23 of 12/20/2021).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Nikonoshina N.A. — collecting and processing material, statistical processing, writing, and editing text;
Dolgikh O.V. — concept and design of research, writing and editing of text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1542-1547
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Influence of ergonomics of schoolchildren’s workplaces on the occurrence of musculoskeletal discomfort

Ablyaeva A., Minacheva A., Fatkhutdinova L.

Resumo

Introduction. Purpose of the study — is to evaluate the influence of ergonomic parameters of modern educational environment workplaces on the manifestation of musculoskeletal discomfort in adolescents.

Materials and methods. The conformity of the size of the working places at school to the anthropometric parameters of adolescents was assessed, the goniometric parameters of the working postures were evaluated, presence of musculoskeletal discomfort was studied using an adapted version of the Nordic Questionnaire, and associated factors during the questionnaire.

Results. There were revealed discrepancies between the size of the school educational furniture and the anthropometric data of adolescents, the presence of deviations from the recommended ranges for the goniometric indicators of the working postures of adolescents at school. There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among adolescents. The results of the influence of an irrational working posture on the manifestation of musculoskeletal discomfort among adolescents have been obtained.

Limitations. The study included groups of 10–11 years and 15–16 years adolescents. The questionnaire method was used to assess the manifestations of musculoskeletal discomfort, with no study of musculoskeletal disorders in adolescents. The study was cross-sectional in nature.

Conclusion. to prevent posture disorders and manifestations of musculoskeletal discomfort, it is important to teach adolescents ergonomic principles, the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and the preservation of a rational working posture in school activities.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the local ethical committee of the Kazan State Medical University, Ministry of Health Care of Russia (excerpt from protocol no. 3 of March 26, 2019).

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Ablyaeva A.V. — material collection and data processing, statistical processing, text writing;
Minacheva A.I. — material collection for the study;
Fathutdinova L.M. — work supervisor, research concept and design, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgment. The research was supported by a grant from the International Scientific Council for Young Scientists of Kazan State Medical University. The research was supported by the Strategic Academic Leadership Program of Kazan State Medical University (Priority 2030).

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1548-1554
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Immunochemical, cytogenetic changes and genetic polymorphism in children living under the exposure to unfavourable environmental factors

Bushueva T., Minigalieva I., Klinova S., Shaikhova D., Bereza I., Amromina A., Mazhaeva T., Shtin T., Chernova J.

Resumo

Introduction. Studies of biomarkers of effects of susceptibility and sensitivity of the human body to exposure to environmental toxicants are a priority in the development of the hygiene science, individual predisposition to adverse effects of chemicals on DNA and the immune system being of special importance.

The objective of our study was to assess immunochemical, cytogenetic changes and genetic polymorphism in children exposed to environmental hazards.

Materials and methods. We examined immunochemical marker and functional metabolic changes in selected cells, indicators of the adaptive status of the body and xenogenic poisoning of children environmentally exposed to heavy metals. Gene polymorphism was determined by two detoxification genes (GSTP1 and SOD2). Poisoning was assessed by blood levels of heavy metals.

Results. We revealed the presence of autoantibodies to the liver and nervous system in 100% of children. A low level of secretory IgA was observed in 27% of children. The salivary lysozyme level indicates a decrease in the protective function of local immunity by 37.9%. We established a direct relationship between the blood levels of heavy metals and genetic instability in somatic cells of the buccal epithelium. The Ile105Val polymorphism of the GSTP1 gene and the Ala16Val polymorphism of the SOD2 gene were found in 45.9% and 28.4% of children, respectively.

Limitations. The paper presents the results of a survey of 3 to 6 years children with allergies attending one preschool. The absence of a control cohort prevents us from comparing our findings with those that could have been obtained for children without allergies and/or living in pollution-free areas.

Conclusion. The immunochemical and cytogenetic changes, as well as the genetic polymorphism observed in children are most likely associated with adverse health effects of environmental hazards.

Compliance with ethical standards. Study approval was provided by the Local Ethics Committee.

Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".

Contribution:
Bushueva T.V. — study conception and design, analysis and interpretation of results, literature review;
Minigalieva I.A. — study conception and design;
Klinova S.V. — literature review, draft manuscript preparation;
Shaikhova D.R. — data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, draft manuscript preparation;
Bereza I.A. — data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, literature review, draft manuscript preparation;
Amromina A.M. — data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, literature review, draft manuscript preparation;
Mazhaeva T.V. — study conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, literature review, draft manuscript preparation;
Shtin T.N. — data collection, draft manuscript preparation;
Chernova J.S. — literature review, draft manuscript preparation.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1555-1561
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FOOD HYGIENE

Analysis of the actual nutrition in primary school students of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Zelenkovskaya E., Larionova T., Daukaev R., Musabirov D., Allayarova G., Afonkina S., Fazlieva A., Aukhadieva E., Kurilov M.

Resumo

Introduction. A comprehensive hygienic research was aimed at studying the actual nutrition in primary school children living in the city of Ufa and the large village of Iglino.

Materials and methods. The nature and structure of the actual diet of the students was studied by the method of 24-hour reproduction of the diet, one day prior to the survey. The findings were compared with measures of norms of physiological energy and food requirements for children and adolescents.

The study involved seven hundred 7–11 year students of grades 1–4 from nine schools in Ufa (460 cases) and village of Iglino (240 children).

Results. The diet in children of the studied group is adequate in energy value and consumption of proteins and fats. The amount of carbohydrate consumption is reduced relative to the norms of physiological needs (NPN) by 25%, but at the same time the share of admission with the diet of simple carbohydrates exceeds the norm. Increased intake of added salt 1.4-fold revealed. The average daily diet is provided with vitamins, but is deficient in calcium, the intake of which is 68% of the NPN. The actual nutrition of younger schoolchildren living in the city of Ufa is characterized by the excess intake of sodium is almost 4 times. The Ca : Mg to Ca : P ratio is broken. The distribution of calories in individual meals made it possible to identify a reduced share of calories in breakfast (19% instead of 25%) and dinner (22% instead of 35–40%).

Limitations. The study analyzed only the actual nutrition of children aged 7–11 years. In the future, it is planned to study the nutrition of schoolchildren of other age groups.

Conclusion. The main nutritional disorders in primary school children are expressed in increased consumption of saturated fatty acids, simple carbohydrates and added salt. In combination with calcium deficiency and excess sodium, such an imbalance can further cause the risk of developing alimental-dependent diseases.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require submission of the opinion of the biomedical ethics committee and other documents.

Contribution:
Zelenkovskaya E.E. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, text writing and editing;
Larionova T.K. — research concept and design, text writing and editing;
Daukaev R.A. — concept and design of the study;
Musabirov D.E., Aukhadieva E.A., Kurilov M.V. — collection and processing of material;
Allayarova G.R., Afonkina S.R. — collection of literature data;
Fazlieva A.S. — statistical processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: September 21, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1562-1567
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Quality control of bottled natural mineral waters

Kurochkin V., Khoroshavina Y., Peshekhonov D.

Resumo

Introduction. The current system of assessing and controlling safety and quality of natural mineral waters requires improvement in accordance with strategic objectives set by the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly and other government agencies.

Material and methods. We analyzed archival materials of our laboratory of resort resources, the findings of surveys of mineral water sources and on-site bottling plants, the results of numerous sanitary, epidemiological, and balneological tests of the quality, safety and medicinal properties of bottled natural mineral waters. We also scrutinized legislative and regulatory requirements on the topic.

Results. In view of the strategic objectives, we developed guidelines for sanitary, epidemiological, and balneological expert examination, assessment, safety and quality control of bottled natural mineral waters, their monitoring, methods for identifying counterfeit products, and legislative regulation of relevant requirements.

Limitations. None.

Conclusion. The developed guidelines allow optimization of the system of assessment, safety, and quality control of bottled natural mineral waters.

Compliance with ethical standards. Ethics approval was not required for this study.

Contribution:
Kurochkin V.Yu. — study conception and design, draft manuscript preparation;
Khoroshavina E.I. — study conception and design, data collection, draft manuscript preparation, editing;
Peshekhonov D.A. — data collection and processing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study was conducted as part of the implementation of the government assignment to the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers.

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1568-1574
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SOCIO-HYGIENIC MONITORING

Determinants of health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Reshetnikov V., Korshever N., Royuk V., Sidelnikov S.

Resumo

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the expediency of implementing intersectoral interaction on public health protection in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic with an impact on health determinants that haven’t been sufficiently studied.

The aim of the work is to study the list and significance of health determinants in the conditions of a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Material and methods. An expert survey of forty nine healthcare managers was conducted. The criteria for the selection of experts included management experience in the field of health protection, the level of self-assessment of competence, and congruence of opinions. The list and significance of determinants of health in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with the data obtained before its occurrence.

Results. The list of health determinants that are sufficiently significant for the COVID-19 pandemic was established to include the same 37 factors as without it. However, important differences were identified. The significance of most determinants of health (64.9%) in a pandemic exceeds the borderline level of 7.0 points on a 10-point scale, that is, significant (without a pandemic — 16.2%). At the same time, priority factors determining the health of the population are widely represented in all groups of determinants and among non-group ones (without a pandemic — only in the “Lifestyle” group and “heredity” determinant). The consequence was that during a pandemic, the significance of 70.3% of the determinants of health statistically significantly exceeds that of the same factors without it, the opposite picture was recorded only in relation to 5.4% of the factors (the rest don’t differ).

Limitations. In the study of the determinants of health in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opinion of healthcare managers whose quantitative and qualitative parameters meet the requirements for experts was evaluated.

Conclusion. The data obtained expand the understanding of the scientific apparatus for implementing health-saving activities in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compliance with ethical standards. the study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the Biomedical ethics committee or other documents (in Russian and English).

Contribution:
Reshetnikov V.A. — the concept and design of the study, writing a text;
Korshever N.G. — the concept and design of the study, collection of material, writing a text, editing;
Royuk V.V. — processing of material, statistical processing, writing a text;
Sidelnikov S.A. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing, editing. 
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare the absence of obvious and potential conflicts of interest in connection with the publication of this article.

Acknowledgement. The study had no financial support.

Received: May 19, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1575-1580
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PREVENTIVE TOXICOLOGY AND HYGIENIC STANDARTIZATION

Some neurotoxic effects of lead nanoparticles on NMDA glutamate receptor gene expression and behavioral responses in Wistar rats

Amromina A., Shaikhova D., Bereza I., Tazhigulova A., Minigalieva I., Solovyeva S., Butakova I., Gurvich V., Sutunkova M.

Resumo

Introduction. Industrial pollution of the workplace air and the environment with lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs) poses the risk of neurodegenerative diseases in workers of lead and copper smelters and the population living around these enterprises. Various studies showed the involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor expression in the mechanisms of lead toxicity.

Materials and methods. During two months, outbred female rats were exposed to lead nanoparticles (PbO NPs) at a concentration of 0.2 mg/m3 in a “nose-only” inhalation exposure system. The behavioral responses of the rats were assessed using the open field and the elevated plus maze tests. Quantitative expression of the NMDA receptor genes (GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B) in the rat hippocampus was assessed using a real-time PCR. Statistical data analysis was carried out using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results. The neurotoxic effect of PbO NPs manifested itself in the suppression of GRIN2A gene expression in the hippocampus of experimental rats. The expression of the GRIN1 gene also showed a tendency to decrease in rats under effect of PbO NPs, while the expression of the GRIN2B gene did not change. The results of the open field test did not reveal any differences between the experimental and control groups of rats. The elevated plus maze test revealed a significant decrease in the number of entries into the open arms of the maze in rats from the experimental group.

Limitations. This work was performed on female Wistar rats and does not take into account possible inter-gender differences.

Conclusion. The results of the experiment demonstrated the neurotoxic effect of PbO NPs including the reduced expression level of the GRIN2A gene of the NMDA receptor and a decrease in the proportion of time spent in the open arms in the elevated plus maze test.

Compliance with ethical standards. Conclusion of the local ethics committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers: the maintenance, nutrition, care of animals and their removal from the experiment was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki and “International guiding principles for biomedical research involving animals”, developed by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences and the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (2012). The studies were approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (protocol No. 4 dated July 12, 2022).

Contribution:
Amromina A.M., Shaikhova D.R., Bereza I.A. — data collection and processing, statistical analysis, draft manuscript preparation and editing;
Tazhigulova A.V., Solovyeva S.N. — data collection, manuscript editing;
Minigalieva I.A. — research conception and design, manuscript editing;
Butakova I.V. — data processing, manuscript editing;
Gurvich V.B., Sutunkova M.P. — research conception and design.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 10, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1581-1587
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Evaluation of the cytotoxic combined effect of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles in an acute experiment on rats

Ryabova Y., Tazhigulova A.

Resumo

Introduction. In the scientific literature known to us, there are no experimental data on the combined human health effect of nanoparticles of selenium and copper oxides, the exposure to which is feasible in metallurgy.

Materials and methods. The cytotoxic effect was modelled on outbred female rats by a single intratracheal instillation of suspended nanoparticles of selenium and copper oxides at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. Cytological and biochemical parameters of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated 24 hours after the administration of the suspension.

Results. The response of the lower airways to the combined exposure to SeO and CuO nanoparticles was more pronounced than that to the exposure to either of them, thus indicating its higher cytotoxicity as judged by cytological and biochemical parameters of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The combined cytotoxic effect of SeO and CuO nanoparticles was characterized by typological diversity. According to the overwhelming number of the parameters studied, the additive nature of the combined effect of high exposure doses of SeO and CuO nanoparticles was demonstrated.

Limitations. The research was limited to the study of the main indicators of cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion. To avoid underestimation of the cumulative health risk for workers in the chemical and slime shops of copper smelters, it is important to take into consideration the additive nature of the combined effect of toxicants under study.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Minutes No. 2 of April 20, 2021).

Contribution:
Ryabova Yu.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and editing;
Tazhigulova A.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, statistical analysis.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1588-1595
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FROM THE HISTORY OF SANITARY AFFAIRS

The history of the Department of Occupational Hygiene of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman” of Rospotrebnadzor

Il'nitskaya A., Lutsenko L., Sukhova A.

Resumo

The history of the creation of the Department of Occupational Hygiene of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman of Rospotrebnadzor dates back to 1942, when the subject of scientific research was devoted to the study of sanitary working conditions at defense industry enterprises and the development of personal protective equipment for workers.

By 1950, the range of issues under study was expanded with initiation of the comprehensive clinical and hygienic studies in the mining, chemical industries, mechanical engineering and agriculture using hygienic, physiological, biochemical research methods, animal experiments.

In 1960–1990, the research was carried out in areas including the study of working conditions, workers’ health and toxicological assessment of new substances in the chemical industry, study of the dust factor and occupational health issues in the coal and mining industries; study of the effects on the body of working physical factors (noise, vibration, ultrasound, magnetic fields) in industry and agriculture, study of working conditions, working and rest regimes with new technological processes and new forms of labour management.

During the period of 1957–2001, employees of the Occupational Health Department developed 14 sanitary rules (SP) and sanitary rules and regulations (SanPiN), hygienic norms of infrasound and vibration in the workplace. Maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) in the air of the working area for 42 harmful substances, maximum permissible levels (MPC) of skin contamination of workers for 17 chemicals have been developed and approved, the toxicity of 35 different compounds has been studied.

According to the results of the research, 45 candidate’s and 18 doctoral dissertations were defended.

In the modern period, the accumulated experience of effective scientific activity of the Department of Occupational Hygiene has been mastered .and implemented by a new generation of researchers of the Department of Occupational Medicine of the Institute of Complex Hygiene Problems of the "Federal Research Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman" of Rospotrebnadzor.

Contribution:
Ilnitskaya A.V. — concept and design of research, collection and analysis of material, writing of text;
Lutsenko L.A. — concept and design of research, collection and analysis of material, writing of text, editing;
Sukhova A.V. — work with literature, article design, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: September 16, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023 

Hygiene and Sanitation. 2022;101(12):1596-1600
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