The influence of harmful physical factors and industrial dust on changes in some biochemical and functional indicators of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system in workers engaged in underground mining of ore

Introduction. The health of workers is determined by both social and individual, as well as production factors, including noise, vibration and dust, characteristic of technological processes in mining enterprises. Industrial noise above 90 dBA and dust in the form of suspended and fine particles causes dysfunction of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs.

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of harmful physical factors and industrial dust on changes in some biochemical and functional indicators of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system of employees of the enterprise for underground mining of ore.

Materials and methods. The assessment of working conditions of workers engaged in underground mining and processing of chrome ores, the analysis of industrial dust on the dimension and quantitative content of fine particles PM10 and PM2. 5, the study of biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism, oxidant and antioxidant systems, indicators of respiratory function. 

Results. Harmful working conditions (class 3.1–3.4) in terms of noise and vibration were revealed at the workplaces of employees of the main specialties observation group. In the air of the working zone, the highest content of fine particles PM2.5 (2.68±0.54 mg/m³) and PM10 (4.64±0.93 mg/m³) was established at the site of drilling operations and cleaning of the bottom-hole space. Deviations of biochemical parameters characterizing intensification of free radical processes and antioxidant protection, imbalance of lipid spectrum parameters, and violation of functional parameters of external respiration were revealed. A high degree of connection with the working conditions of the frequency of increased levels of lipid hydroperoxide and antioxidant activity (EF=60.71–65.84%) was established.

Conclusions. In high noise level (more than 94 dBA), general and local vibration (more than 116 and 127 dB respectively) and the content of fine particles PM2. 5 (more of 2.14 mg/m³) and PM10 (over of 3.71 mg/m³) at underground mining of chrome ore workers have identified abnormalities in the form of increase 1.6 times the level of lipid hydroperoxides and total antioxidant activity, reducing to 1.2 times the level of high density lipoprotein, improving 1.2–1.3 times of low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and atherogenic index in blood serum, peak expiratory flow. A high degree of professional conditioning have the frequency of increasing the level of lipid hydroperoxide in blood serum and antioxidant activity of blood plasma.

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