Markers of adaptation in female workers of a copper smelter

Introduction. Despite the widespread use of sulfuric acid in industry (acid leaching processes in copper metallurgy, extraction of rare earth elements, production of mineral fertilizers, uranium mining, production of chemical fibers, dyes, smoke-forming and explosives, etc.), there is practically no data in the literature on studies aimed at studying the effect of aerosols containing sulfuric acid vapor on the state of adaptation of workers.

The study aims to explore hormonal, hematological and immune markers to assess the adaptation processes in female workers of the copper smelter.

Materials and methods. The authors examined 54 conditionally healthy employees of the vitriol workshop of a copper smelter who were exposed to an industrial aerosol containing sulfuric acid vapors. The control group consisted of 15 conditionally healthy female workers who did not come into contact with industrial aerosols. All the surveyed are comparable in age and length of service. The experts have determined the type of overall adaptive response using the L.I. Garkavi method, which takes into account the relative number of lymphocytes. The complex of markers included: hormonal, hematological, and immunological parameters.

Results. Experts have revealed higher concentrations of cortisol and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the main group, increased indicators characterizing the body's nonspecific resistance (Harkavi index, immunoreactivity index, and lymphocyte-to monocyte ratio) and inflammation intensity (leukocyte count to erythrocyte sedimentation rate ratio), increased lymphocytes (CD3+25+) involved in differentiation and proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Four types of adaptive reactions were detected in the main and control groups with the same frequency. The researchers have found a significant dependence of cortisol concentration and the immunoreactivity index on the type of adaptation in the main group. During the stress reaction, activation of the cellular link was detected against the background of minimal cortisol levels, minimum values of the Garkavi index and the immunoreactivity index; unlike stress, the Garkavi index was increased during activation and reactivation.

Limitations. The data obtained are specific to a specific group of female copper smelter workers. The methodological approach can be applied to surveys of female workers in other occupational groups.

Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the expediency of studying hormones, immune status, and hematological parameters with the calculation of leukocyte indices as predictors of the effects of sulfuric acid on the body.

Contributions:
Sakhautdinova R.R. — concept, collection and processing of material, writing text;
Roslaya N.A. — research design, text editing;
Bushueva T.V. — writing, editing text;
Panov V.G. — statistical data processing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 24.11.2025 / Accepted: 02.12.2025 / Published: 20.12.2025

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