Introduction. Vibration disease (VD) in Russia consistently ranks second or third among all occupational pathology caused by physical factors of the production environment. The disease is characterized by polysyndromicity with the frequent development of polymorbid conditions, including arterial hypertension (AH), characterized by a persistent course even after the elimination of the causal factor, and the frequent development of persistent disability. Therefore, clarifying the nutritional-metabolic and molecular-genetic mechanisms of the formation of VD in combination with AH will optimize the diagnosis and evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment, which is promising for the clinic of occupational medicine and internal diseases.

The study aims to determine additional diagnostic markers of the comorbid variant of vibration disease in combination with arterial hypertension based on the study of clinical and functional, nutritional and metabolic and molecular genetic indicators.

Materials and methods. The authors studied a range of clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, functional, molecular and genetic parameters in 431 employees of the aviation plant: 104 patients with stage I vibration disease; 101 patients with stage I comorbid vibration disease with arterial hypertension of stage I–II; 107 patients with arterial hypertension of stage I–II, not in contact with vibration; and 119 people from the same company, out of contact with vibration, without signs of hypertension.

Results. In the group of vibration disease in combination with arterial hypertension, we have found an increase in the frequency of general and specific complaints compared with the groups of isolated vibration disease and arterial hypertension. Body mass index indicators in the comorbid group correspond to obesity of stage 2 and 3 in 27.1%; 15.8%; whereas in the isolated groups of vibration disease and hypertension, patients with obesity of stage 1 prevail; There was a decrease in active cell mass and phase angle in the group of vibration disease combined with arterial hypertension in comparison with the control group by 1.4 and 1.3 times, respectively (p<0.001). In the comorbid group, compared with the control, the parameters of the adipocytokine profile were significantly changed: resistin was increased by 1.5 times, leptin-binding receptor and adiponectin were reduced by 1.5 and 1.6 times, respectively (in all cases, p<0.001). In the vibration disease group with hypertension, we have found lower vitamin D levels compared to other groups, and also have noted significant differences in the molecular profile of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. In the comorbid group, the frequency of occurrence of the T/T rs4880 genotype of the SOD2 superoxide dismutase gene turned out to be characteristic of oxidative stress, whereas the carriage of the G/C rs20417 genotype of the cyclooxygenase SOH2 gene did not affect the course of vibration disease combined with arterial hypertension.

Conclusion. Comorbid vibration disease with arterial hypertension is realized in conditions of nutritional and metabolic changes in relation to clinical and functional criteria, changes in the adipocytokine profile, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, a decrease in vitamin D and an increased incidence of the polymorphic variant of the T/T locus Ala16Val (rs4880) of the MnSOD (Superoxide Dismutase) gene. The conducted study, taking into account the study of correlation and regression analysis of the results obtained, made it possible to develop additional diagnostic criteria for nutritional and metabolic disorders.

Ethics. The authors have carried out the scientific research in accordance with the standards of Good Clinical Practice and the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Novosibirsk State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Protocol No. 139 dated 11/25/2021). Before starting the work, all participants gave written informed voluntary consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Gorbunova A.M. — descriptive part, database formation, design;
Gerasimenko O.N. — scientific guidance, conceptualization and critical analysis of the conducted search, database formation;
Shpagin I.S. — scientific guidance;
Belyaeva T.M. — research resource management, formal analysis;
Maksimov V.N. — conceptualization and critical analysis of the conducted search, database formation.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 07.05.2024 / Accepted: 28.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. The rapid development of the chemical industry in the Russian Federation is accompanied by an increase in the production and storage of highly toxic substances belonging to the group of pulmonotoxicantsare able to induce lung injury, the most severe form of which is toxic pulmonary edema (TPE). The treatment of TPE includes medication and respiratory therapy, but such a combination turns out to be insufficient, and therefore the development of new methods of treatment of the alveolar stage is an important task of modern medicine. One such approach is the use of therapeutic hypothermia, which can reduce the severity of TPE in general and the alveolar stage in particular. Recently, the use of various options for liquid ventilation of the lungs with perfluorocarbon (PFC) liquids for the induction of therapeutic hypothermia has attracted increasing attention from specialists. This article will present the results of an experimental assessment of the effect of hypothermia induced by BAL with PFC fluids on the course of the alveolar stage of toxic pulmonary edema.

The study aims to determine the effect of hypothermia induced by bronchoalveolar lavage with a pre-cooled PFC liquid on the course of the alveolar stage of toxic pulmonary edema.

Materials and methods. The authors conducted a study on male Wistar rats aged 4 months, weighing 200–220 g. TPE was modeled by intratracheal administration of 0.1 m HCl solution at a dose of 2 ml/kg. Specialists pre-injected atropine into the animals, then anesthetized, intubated with cannulas, injected a model substance and connected to a ventilator. After that, the animals were randomized by weight into two groups of 6 individuals each. In animals of the experimental and control groups, with a decrease in oxygen saturation (SpO₂) below 80%, the researchers performed 2 procedures of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with PFC liquid in a single dose of 2.0 ml / kg, with different temperatures. Perfluorodecalin was used as a PFC liquid. In the experimental group, the temperature of the PFC liquid during BAL was 0.5°C, in the control group — 38.0°C. Specialists recorded heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, rectal temperature (T_rect) and duration of survival.

Results. Immediately after instillation of 0.1 M HCl solution, all animals showed a sharp decrease in SpO₂ (from 97±1.3 to 64±11.5) and heart rate (HR), (from 269±8.7 to 123±24.5). Recovery of indicators was observed after administration of atropine sulfate. Over the next 25–30 minutes, the following signs appeared and subsequently intensified: a decrease in SpO₂ below 80%, an increase in heart rate (HR) to 302±11.4 beats/min, the presence of wet wheezing in the lungs and the release of exudate from the endotracheal catheter. In response to the BAL, all animals showed an increase in SpO₂ and a decrease in heart rate. So, in the control, in response to the BAL, SpO₂ increased by 8.0±2.5%, and heart rate decreased by 21.0±5.4 beats /min. While in the experimental group there was an increase in SpO₂, which was 11.0±3.1%, and a decrease in heart rate by 57.0±10.2 beats/min. At the same time, during the experiment, the researchers observed an increase in temperature in the control group by 0.08±0.02°C, and in the experimental group — its decrease by 0.70±0.07°C. The average survival time of animals in the control and experimental groups was 64.8±2.2 minutes and 91.2±5.9 minutes, respectively.

Conclusion. The use of BAL PFC liquids with a low temperature makes it possible to increase the survival time of small laboratory animals in the alveolar stage of TPE due to the development of local and general hypothermia. The development of local hypothermia during BAL of the lungs makes it possible to remove a significant amount of edematous fluid, which, in turn, manifests itself in less pronounced respiratory and systemic hemodynamic disorders.

Ethics. Studies involving laboratory animals were conducted in compliance with the following regulations: Helsinki Declaration of 2000 «On humane treatment of animals», Order of the Ministry of Health of the USSR No. 755 dated 08/12/1977 «Rules for carrying out work using experimental animals», Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia No. 199n dated 04/01/2016 «On approval of the rules of laboratory practice». The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (Protocol No. 4 dated May 25, 2022).

Contribution:
Isabekov N.R. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, text writing, editing;
Tonshin A.A. — concept and design of the study, editing;
Bonitenko E.Y. — concept and design of the study, editing;

Funding. The work was performed within the Framework of the state assignment, the topic code FGFE-2024-0003.

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

Received: 17.05.2024 / Accepted: 20.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. Occupational allergic dermatoses are multifactorial diseases. In addition to the effects of occupational etiological factors, various endogenous and exogenous factors play an important role in the development of occupational allergodermatoses.

For a personalized approach to identifying early manifestations of profallergodermatoses and determining their prevention systems, it is necessary to develop an algorithm for a consistent diagnostic procedure taking into account informative indicators of signs of early development of occupational skin diseases.

The study aims to develop a pathogenetically based set of criteria for various signs of early manifestations of occupational allergodermatoses, taking into account changes in the reactivity of the body.

Materials and methods. Scientists have developed a design and a plan for passing the stages of the study based on a retrospective analysis (in the clinic of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health from 2012 to 2022) of archival materials from 1411 case histories. On the basis of the clinic at the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health, specialists have examined 105 people who made up three main groups, including 47 patients with occupational skin diseases with occupational allergodermatosis in combination with mycoses, 36 patients with occupational allergodermatosis and 22 people with a combination of occupational allergodermatosis in bronchial asthma.

Results. The authors have revealed the influence of concomitant pathologies (atopy and mycosis) on the functional capabilities of the skin barrier. The authors also revealed a high level of total immunoglobulin E in patients with concomitant pathology, which indicates a mutually aggravating course of these diseases. In patients with profallergodermatoses, a polymorphic variant of the ins/del filaggrin gene was detected in 7.4% of the examined patients (χ²=8622, p<0.01), which is 3.7 times higher than the population control. At the same time, all patients had impaired indicators of skin barrier function, which indicates the role of the polymorphic variant of the filaggrin gene in the mechanisms of formation of occupational allergodermatoses in combination with atopy and mycotic infection.

Limitations. The study is limited by the number of patients treated in the Department of Dermatology with occupational allergodermatoses, as well as with combined and comorbid pathology.

Conclusion. As a result of the study, experts have proposed an algorithm for a consistent diagnostic procedure based on informative criteria of clinical and anamnestic, functional and molecular genetic indicators to identify early manifestations of occupational allergodermatoses, which will allow a personalized approach to the development of a system of preventive, therapeutic, diagnostic and rehabilitation measures.

Ethics. The study was performed in accordance with the Ethical standard set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association of 1964 (as amended and supplemented in 2013). All studies were conducted after receiving Informed Consent and a decision of the Local Ethics Committee (Extract from Protocol No. 7 of 21/10/2022).

Contribution:
Izmerova N.I. — concept and design, data collection and processing, writing the text, editing;
Kuzmina L.P. — concept and design, writing the text, editing;
Chistova I.Ya. — data collection and processing, writing the text.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 23.04.2024 / Accepted: 25.04.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. The use of various types of computer displays not only in work, but also in educational and daily activities makes it necessary to study the features of the functional state of the body during visually strenuous work using electronic devices for visual display of information.

The study aims to assess the level of visual stress and work intensity, the features of visual fatigue in work using computer displays to develop measures to prevent fatigue.

Materials and methods. Studies of the physiological features of the formation of visual fatigue included an assessment of fatigue depending on the total screen time, the type of information image (alphanumeric and graphical). Specialists conducted an ophthalmological examination and dynamic monitoring of the functional state of the visual analyzer. The authors applied a set of physiological methods: determination of the volume of accommodation (VA), time of perception of sequential contrast (TPSC). The study involved employees of five professional groups: translators, editors, operators, telegraph operators, fabric distributors using computer displays in their work (a total of 131 people). The control group is represented by employees who perform similar work using paper media.

Results. It is shown that for operators in the process of their work, the features of the formation of a functional state are closely interrelated with the amount of workload determined by the total duration of fixing the gaze on the screen and the type of information image per shift. The researchers observed the most unfavorable physiological reactions when continuously working with a computer display with alphanumeric information for more than two hours. They also revealed a relationship between the development of fatigue, the degree of physiological shifts and the total time of fixing the gaze on a computer display with various types of information images.

Limitations. There are limitations due to the peculiarities of collecting (receiving) physiological data.

Conclusion. The conducted research served as the basis for rationing the time spent working with the display screen of various types of information images (Manual p.2.2.2006-05), developing recommendations for the prevention of visual fatigue in professional users of computer displays.

Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (Protocol No. 4 dated 04/14/2021)

Contribution:
Serikov V.V. — the concept and design of the study;
Yushkova O.I. — writing, editing;
Kapustina A.V. — collecting and processing material, writing text;
Zhbankova O.V. — material processing, editing;
Nemaeva A.V. — theoretical calculations, statistical data processing;
Bogdanova V.E. — editing the text of the article;
Forverts A.Yu. — collection and processing of material, editing.
Afanasyeva Yu.F. — collection and processing of material.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 17.04.2024 /Accepted: 06.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. A comparative assessment of the reactivity of cerebral energy metabolism (CEM) under stress will allow us to determine the features of the course of vibration disease (VD) caused by exposure to various types of vibration.

The study aims to consider the features of the reactivity of the cerebral energy metabolism (CEM) in patients with vibration disease, depending on the type of vibration exposure.

Materials and methods. The researchers studied the features of adaptation under stress using the method of neuroenergetic mapping (NEM) with measurement of the level of constant potential (LCP). Groups were formed: I (n=58) — patients with VD due to the effects of local vibration (VDloc), II (n=50) — with VD associated with the combined effects of local and general vibration (VDcomb), III (n=39) — a comparison group.

Results. The authors found that for patients with VDloc and VDcomb it is characterized by a rapid rigid reaction to physical and emotional stress. In patients with VD, regardless of the type of vibration exposure, there was a predominance of negative reactions of cerebral energy metabolism to physical activity compared with emotional activity. The restoration of cerebral energy metabolism in the post-hyperventilation period in the predominant number of patients has a disorder of autonomic autoregulation of the constancy of internal functions, which creates equal risks of the formation of comorbid pathology in both VDloc and VDcomb.

Limitations. The study is limited to a sample of patients, an integrated approach based on modern diagnostic methods, and the use of multidimensional exploratory analysis methods.

Conclusion. The results obtained substantiate the independence of the adaptive reactivity of cerebral energy metabolism from the type of vibration exposure and indicate the predominance of a rigid reaction variant characterizing the disorder of adaptive reactions according to the asthenic type.

Ethics. The examination of patients was conducted in accordance with the ethical standard of the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association «Ethical Principles of conducting scientific medical research with human participation» as amended in 2000 and the «Rules of Good Clinical Practice» (approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 200n on 04/01/2016). All the surveyed signed an informed consent to participate in the study. There is a conclusion of the local Ethics Committee (Protocol No. 5 dated 03/21/2023).

Contribution:
Shevchenko O.I. — concept and design of research, collection of material and writing of text, editing;
Lakhman O.L. — the editing.

Funding. The funding was carried out within the Framework of the State Assignment for Basic Scientific research.

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

Received: 13.03.2024 / Accepted: 09.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. The study of the mechanisms of formation of pathological changes in the health status of the able-bodied population under the influence of harmful industrial factors with the identification of potential risk groups based on individual genetic variability and regulatory markers is necessary to solve the tasks of monitoring and prevention of occupational morbidity.

The study aims to identify the features of polymorphism of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly and HTR2A (rs7997012) genes and the relationship of candidate gene genotypes with the expression of adrenaline and serotonin in workers of the sylvinite concentrating factory.

Materials and methods. Scientists examined 68 workers whose working conditions were determined by the increased concentration of potassium chloride dust, the severity of the labor process and the presence of extreme hydrocarbons in the air of the working area. The comparison group consisted of 61 people, employees of the administrative and managerial staff. The authors investigated the presence of contaminants in biological media by gas chromatography. They assessed specific sensitization to chemical factors by the level of specific antibodies by testing for allergosorbents. The scientists studied the levels of adrenaline and serotonin using enzyme immunoassay. The authors also performed genotyping by polymerase chain reaction in real time.

Results. There was an excessive level of hexane content in biological media associated with a high level of sensitization to hexane according to the IgG criterion (6.3 times compared with the comparison group). Genetic analysis allowed us to establish a significantly increased incidence of the homozygous genotype GG ADRB2 Arg16Gly adrenal receptor in the examined group of workers (OR=2.78; 95% CI=1.20–6.45) compared with the comparison group (2.2 times). The analysis of the adrenaline content revealed a significant decrease in its concentration associated with the homozygous genotype GG ADRB2 Arg16Gly in the examined workers by 2.2 times. There are significant intergroup differences in the frequency of polymorphism of the serotonin receptor HTR2A gene (rs7997012) with an increase in the prevalence of the AA genotype by 1.8 times (OR=2.64; 95% CI=1.02–6.84). The revealed genetic variability was combined with a 1.6-fold decrease in serotonin levels in the observation group with variations of AG and GG genotypes HTR2A (rs7997012).

Conclusion. Polymorphic variants of the ADRB2 Arg16Gly and HTR2A (rs7997012) genes act as markers of sensitivity of the examined group associated with changes in the regulatory factors of adrenaline and serotonin, and can be used as indicators of early diagnosis of pathological tendencies in workers under conditions of excessive industrial contamination with hexane.

Ethics. All surveyed employees signed a voluntary informed consent to participate in the study. The study was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (revised 2013) and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal State Budgetary Institution «Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Technologies for Public Health Risk Management».

Contribution:

Starkova K.G. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing the text, statistical processing;
Dolgikh O.V. — the concept and design of the study, the editing, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article;
Kazakova O.A. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing.
All authors — approve the final version of the article.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 28.11.2023 / Accepted: 20.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. Acrylamide is widely used in industry during production of various polymers. It is a colorless and odorless chemical and is usually formed in foods high in carbohydrates and low in protein that undergo high-temperature treatments such as frying, baking and digestion. The most common way for acrylamide to enter the human body is through food, but it can also enter the circulatory system by contacting the skin. Acrylamide poses a serious danger to human health due to its carcinogenicity and high toxicity.

The study aims to explore the expression of the Casp7, Chek1 and Ripk1 genes in the kidneys of laboratory animals when correcting the toxic effect of acrylamide with oxymethyluracil (OMU) compounds.

Materials and methods. For the experiment, the researchers used 30 female rats weighing 180–200 g. The experimental animals were divided into five groups: the healthy group (K–), the group receiving only acrylamide (K+), the OMU + ascorbic acid group (MG-1), the OMU + sodium succinate group (MG-2) and the OMU + acetylcysteine group (MG-10). The authors used acrylamide as a toxicant. The experiment lasted 28 days. At the end of this process, the scientists euthanized the animals and extracted the tissues of their kidneys. They examined the extracted kidney tissues using a molecular genetic method. RNA was isolated from the samples, cDNA was synthesized and real-time PCR analysis was performed. The specialists checked the statistical significance using IBM SPSS Statistics software.

Results. The expression multiplicity of the Casp7 gene in the positive control group was the lowest compared to all four other groups and the differences reached the level of statistical significance (k=10.96; p=0.027). The minimum value of Chek1 gene expression was also observed in the group receiving only acrylamide and was –3.92 [–5.44; –2.17] (k=11.89; p=0.018). The lowest levels of Ripk1 gene expression were observed in the negative control group (0.09 [–1.58; 1.27]) (k=16.19; p=0.003), pairwise comparisons showed statistical significance when comparing both the positive control and negative control groups with all three correction groups.

Limitations. The limitations of the study are the analysis of pathological changes in the body of laboratory animals in the early stages of acute exposure to the studied toxicant. For further judgment on the mechanisms of the toxic effect of the studied substances and the possibility of its preventive correction, it is necessary to conduct studies on longer exposure periods.

Conclusion. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that, probably, the complex compounds of oxymethyluracil have high antioxidant activity.

Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with ethical standards (meeting of the bioethical Commission of the Ufa Scientific Research Institute of Occupational Medicine and Human Ecology dated 08/17/2023 No. 1-06).

Contribution:
Yakupova T.G. — data collection and processing, writing the text;
Mukhammadieva G.F. — writing the text;
Repina E.F. — the concept and design of the study;
Khusnutdinova N.Yu. — data collection and processing;
Karimov D.O. — the concept and design of the study, the editing;
Smolyankin D.A. — data collection and processing;
Garipova Z.R. — data collection and processing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 01.04.2024 / Accepted: 26.04.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. Nanoparticles of lead oxide (NPs PbO) enter the environment and pollute it as a result of technological processes in industrial enterprises. Their negative impact on public health is of increasing concern to researchers and the need to study the potential health risks from their exposure. The study of the effect of nanoparticles of lead oxide at the molecular level in laboratory animals is the first step in establishing the mechanisms of toxic action on various tissues and organs.

The study aims to research the effect of lead oxide nanoparticles on changes in the expression level of the antioxidant system genes and apoptosis in a chronic experiment.

Materials and methods. The researchers divided white female Wistar rats into 2 groups of 10 individuals each. The authors supplied nanoparticles of lead oxide to the exposure tower for inhalation in the «nose only» installation, where, in special restrainers, scientists subjected animals of the experimental group to chronic exposure to NPs PbO at a concentration of 0.215 mg/m³ for 4 hours a day, 5 times a week for 8 months. At the end of the experimental period, the specialists performed a complete decapitation of the animals and recorded fragments of the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, lungs and liver, from which the authors then isolated common RNA and synthesized cDNA. The expression level of the GSTP1, GSTM1, SOD2, P53 BAX, and BCL-2 genes was determined by quantitative PCR. The researchers used the nonparametric Mann–Whitney criterion for statistical data processing.

Results. The results of the study did not reveal statistically significant differences between the expression levels of all analyzed genes in the liver of rats. The expression level of the GSTP1 gene in the olfactory bulb of the experimental group was significantly higher, and in the tissues of the hippocampus and lung it was significantly reduced compared with the control group. The expression levels of the P53 and BCL-2 genes in the olfactory bulb of the experimental group were significantly lower, and the BAX/BCL-2 ratio increased significantly compared to the control group.

Limitations. This study was conducted on female Wistar rats and does not consider possible intersex differences.

Conclusion. With chronic inhalation exposure tonanoparticles of lead oxide at a concentration of 0.215 mg/m³ 4 hours a day, 5 times a week for 8 months, scientists have found changes in gene expression in the structures of the brain and lung, but not in the liver of rats. An increase in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio indicates apoptotic processes in the olfactory bulb tissue. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of toxic action of NPs PbO at the molecular level.

Ethics. The 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 were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the ARRIVE guidelines. The research was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers of Rospotrebnadzor (Protocol No. 4 dated 07/12/2022).

Contribution:
Kikot A.M. — research concept and design, material collection and data processing, writing the text;|
Bereza I.A. — research concept and design, material collection and data processing, writing the text;
Shaikhova D.R. — research concept and design, material collection and data processing, writing the text;
Ryabova Yu.V. — material collection and data processing, editing;
Minigalieva I.A. — research concept and design, editing;
Sutunkova M.P. — research concept and design.

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 25.04.2024 / Accepted: 07.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024

Introduction. The development of methodological approaches to the hygienic assessment of waste disposal facilities for processing non-ferrous and precious metals ores as sources of atmospheric air pollution is of undoubted interest for preventive toxicology and environmental hygiene.

The study aims to develop methodological approaches to the hygienic assessment of waste disposal facilities for processing non-ferrous and precious metals ores as sources of atmospheric air pollution.

Materials and methods. The article describes the conduct of a full-scale simulation of emissions of sulfur compounds from sulfide-containing waste into the atmosphere using waste samples weighing 1.0 kg, heated to temperatures of 25, 33 and 40°C. The scientists determined the concentrations of pollutants using the GANK-4 gas analyzer. When studying atmospheric pollution, the researchers used the method of subfactual observations. The object of the study was the Komsomolsk tailings dump, Kemerovo region. The statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica 10.0 application programs.

Results. The leading components of atmospheric emissions and pollution in the area of a sulfide–containing tailings pond are dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfoxide, the maximum concentrations of which at a distance of 300 m from the source in 7.1–6.4% of samples exceeded hygienic standards and reached 0.567 mg/m³ and 0.638 mg/m³, respectively.

Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the modeling of emissions and the assessment of the accumulation in the surface layer of the atmosphere of mixtures of sulfur compounds in the area of the tailings of the gold recovery plant in the summer, which limits the possibility of obtaining generalized ideas about the environmental hazards of all possible types of sulfide-containing waste storage facilities at different times of the year.

Conclusion. The conducted research made it possible to identify sulfur compounds subject to control; assess the power of the source and the specifics of zonal atmospheric pollution; identify factors contributing to the spread and accumulation of vapor-gas mixtures in the surface layer of the atmosphere; formulate promising ways to reduce the accumulation of sulfide-containing waste and prevent their negative impact on the environment and public health.

Ethics. The conduct of this study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Ogudov A.S.— research concept and design, data collection and processing, text writing, manuscript preparation;
Novikova I.I. — concept and design of the study, editing, preparation of the manuscript;
Chuenko N.F. — data collection and processing, writing the text;
Kozyreva F.U. — concept and design of the study, editing, preparation of the manuscript;
Bokareva N.A.— concept and design of the study, editing, preparation of the manuscript;

Funding. The study had no funding.

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

Received: 09.04.2024 / Accepted: 03.05.2024 / Published: 20.06.2024