Introduction. Working conditions at workplaces of coal industry enterprises are characterized by harmful factors exceeding the maximum permissible levels. These include coal-rock dust, noise, vibration, sudden temperature changes, etc. Conversely, unfavourable working conditions increase the risk of developing not only occupational but also work-related diseases. The objective of the study was to study the influence of industrial and common risk factors for cardiovascular diseases on structural and functional changes in the heart in coal industry workers. Material and methods. The study included 130 workers in coal mines in the South of Kuzbass and 78 workers in open coal pits, ranging from 40 to 55 years. The exclusion criteria from the study were the presence of any somatic pathology that could lead to structural and functional changes in the heart. In addition, all subjects underwent echocardiography to determine the structural and functional indices of the heart. Results. Lower values of ejection fraction and longitudinal deformation of the left ventricle were found among the workers in underground coal mining. At the same time, a decrease in the latter was revealed in 19.3% of the miners versus 7.6% of the workers in open coal pits (p=0.025). There was no association between reducing left ventricular longitudinal deformation and common risk factors in coal mine workers, in contrast, to open coal pit workers. The initial manifestations of diastolic dysfunction of the right ventricle in the group of workers of underground coal mining were revealed, which in the correlation analysis had a relationship with the indices of external respiration function. Conclusion. The decrease in the global longitudinal left ventricular myocardial deformation among miners is not associated with the studied common cardiovascular risk factors. Still, it is related to the influence of a complex of unfavourable production factors. Reduced indices of external respiration function affect the initial manifestations of diastolic dysfunction of the right ventricle in the workers of underground coal mining.
Ecological impact of coal mines on lichens: A case study at Moghla coal mines Kalakote (Rajouri), J&K
