RADIATION SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF CARROT AND BEET PRODUCTS CULTIVATED IN THE BLACK EARTH ZONE OF RUSSIA IN THE OREOL OF THE EASTERN CHERNOBYL TRACE

On the territory of the Plavsky radioactive hotspot of the Tula region of Russia, formed as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, an assessment of the radiation safety of growing carrots and beets was carried out in 2019. It has been established that at present the content of 137Cs in arable leached chernozems of the surveyed lands is 90–170 kBq/m2 , which is 2.5–4.5 times higher than the permissible level of density of surface radioactive contamination of soils. However, the specific activity of the radionuclide in carrot and beetroot crops does not exceed 5 Bq/kg, which is significantly less than the maximum permissible level of 137Cs accumulation in vegetables (600 Bq/kg for absolutely dry weight). The accumulation coefficients of 137Cs in the total biomass of carrots and beets are 2.0·10−2 and 7.5·10−2, and in eaten root crops – 1.1·10−2 and 2.0·10−2, respectively, which is in good agreement with the IAEA estimate for the intensity of the transition 137Cs in the production of vegetable roots from loamy and clayey soils.

The experience in studying the health status of liquidators to eliminate environmental pollution associated with the production of chemical products

Introduction. Maintaining health and achieving professional longevity is a priority task of medical support for specialists in the power and civil structures of Russia. It is especially important to take into account the impact of several factors of the labour process, as, for example, in the work to eliminate environmental pollution from enterprises producing chemical products, in particular, in the shop of mercury electrolysis. The study aims to explore the health status of employees of law enforcement agencies and civilian personnel involved in the elimination of environmental pollution in the city of Usolye-Sibirskoye, Irkutsk region as a result of economic activities associated with the production of chemical products. Material and methods. The study examined 370 people, whose average age was 28.4±5.5 years, with an average work experience of 6.0±1.05 years. The method of clinical observations was used, the analysis of the results of an in-depth medical examination was carried out in the conditions of the professional center of the clinic of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution VSIMEI. The level and structure of morbidity by the main classes of chronic diseases have been studied. Results. As a result of the analysis of the data of the periodic medical examination, the structural composition of nosological forms of diseases was presented as follows: diseases of the cardiovascular system - 10%, ophthalmological diseases - 5%, endocrinological diseases - 5%, diseases of ENT organs - 10%, practically healthy persons - 70%. The mercury levels were determined at zero values, with the exception of 4 samples, in which the mercury content in the studied urine samples did not exceed the permissible level established by WHO (10 μg / L), the mercury levels in hair samples did not exceed the biologically permissible level (0.0-2,0 μg/g). Conclusion. This study showed the importance of medical examinations using extended examination methods and the need to monitor the health status of liquidators, since the safety of the work carried out also depends on the quality of workers' health.

Hygienic characteristic of the electromagnetic situation created by the electromagnetic radiation of the antennas of mobile base stations in Cherkasy region before and after the introduction of 4G technology

This work is part of our researches to study the distribution of electromagnetic radiation from mobile base stations in populated areas. The aim of this work was to study and analyze the electromagnetic situation before and after the introduction of fourth generation 4G technology at mobile base stations. We analyzed the maximum and average levels of electromagnetic radiation from mobile base stations located in Cherkasy region. The electromagnetic situation was studied both in urban areas and in rural areas. It was found that after the introduction of the fourth generation 4G technology at the mobile base stations, the levels of electromagnetic radiation in Cherkasy region increased significantly. The median of maximum levels of electromagnetic radiation increased by 155.6% (in particular, in urban areas by 194.1%), and the median of average levels - by 75.2% (in particular, in urban areas by 141.1%). No significant changes in electromagnetic radiation levels were detected before and after the modernization of mobile base stations in rural areas. It has been proven that there are no prerequisites for increasing the maximum permissible level to 100 μW/cm2 when implementing 4G and 5G technologies at mobile base stations.

Safety and quality of feed for piglets

The results of research on the safety and quality of compound feed of domestic producers for piglets have been presented in the article. The materials for the investigation were 4 samples of the starting complete feed for piglets of main domestic producers. Organoleptic characteristics of compound feed for piglets met the requirements of Federal standard 34109-2017. The assessment of the total bacterial contamination showed that sample No. 3 (the feed plant “VEGA”) has the maximum level of contamination, and the lowest level in sample No. 1 - new feeding technologies plant. The content of toxic elements in compound feed did not exceed their maximum permissible level and met the requirements of Federal standard 34141-2017. The level of radionuclides in compound feed did not exceed their maximum permissible level and corresponded to the standards provided for in the instructions on radiological quality control of feed of the Ministry of Justice No. 831 on 14.04.1995. Thus, the analysis of samples of the starting compound feed of domestic producers for piglets on organoleptic, physic and chemical, bacteriological and sanitary-mycological indicators, for the presence of toxic elements and radionuclides showed that all samples meet the requirements of safety and quality.

Chipboards as raw material of furniture

The problem of using wood materials in residential premises is closely related to the issues of forestry. This is due to the fact that the wood subsequently processed into materials and products emits a gas harmful to humans - formaldehyde. In Russia, there are strict requirements for the permissible level of formaldehyde in the air (0.01 mg/m3) both in residential premises and in the atmosphere. The environmentally friendly wood emits formaldehyde. The emission of formaldehyde may exceed the permissible level up to 10 times when obtaining chipboards using urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins. Such an excess of the permissible level of formaldehyde is especially characteristic for chipboards. Moreover, a much larger amount of formaldehyde is emitted from urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins during their hot curing than it is in the liquid resin in its free form. Therefore, much attention in this work is paid to the curing process of urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins in relation to the manufacturing conditions of chipboards. The study of this process was based on the models related to the manufacturing conditions of chipboards using the microscopy method. It was found that some formaldehyde is preserved in vapor-gas bubbles and eventually moves out the chipboards.

Analysis of low requirement justification of the current standard for the strength of wood particle boards

Currently, wood particle boards made of crushed shavings are widely used in the production of cabinet furniture, despite their shortcomings. The volume of particle board production in Russia is constantly growing. The main disadvantages of the boards include their toxicity associated with the release of gas (formaldehyde) harmful to humans above the permissible level (PL = 0.01 mg/m3 of air), low strength properties (especially bending strength) and limited areas of application of the boards. If we trace the dynamics of the technical requirements for these properties of boards according to the standards, then the question arises - what is the reason for the decrease in the requirements for the strength of boards in bending and, in this regard, the limitation of the application areas of particle board? A regular decrease in the requirements in the newly introduced State Standards has been constantly occurring since 1977, but this is especially noticeable in the current 10632-2014 State Standard. This article focuses on the possible objective and subjective reasons for the low requirements of the current standard for the strength of wood particle board.

What If? Tinkering with the Counterfactual A Comment on US–Washing Machines (Article 22.6-US)

Typically, the WTO Arbitrator, when charged with evaluating the permissible level of countermeasures (suspension of concessions), has chosen a counterfactual state of the world where the challenged (illegal) measure has not been adopted at all. The Arbitrator then would calculate the trade lost because of the adopted (illegal) measure, and thus, decide on the level of permissible countermeasures. In US–Washing Machines (Article 22.6-US), deviating from this custom, the Arbitrator adopted a different counterfactual, assuming that the complainant had adopted a different, ‘reasonable’ measure. The Arbitrator then evaluated the trade lost based on the distance between the adopted (illegal) and the ‘reasonable’ measure and calculated the level of countermeasures. In this paper, we explain the multitude of perils facing dispute settlement if this approach is adopted in future disputes. We also advance a few thoughts on rethinking the workings of the Arbitrator when measuring the level of permissible countermeasures, since similar slippery slopes risk being reproduced in future cases.

Investigation of Groundwater Contamination from Akanran Open Waste Dumpsite, Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria, using Geoelectrical and Geochemical Techniques

In recent times, large waste is produced especially in an urban area due to population with careless handling which calls for worries. Hence, the study determines the effect of Akanran dumpsite on the groundwater quality for drinking and domestic purposes. It employs the geophysical and geochemical methods. Wenner configuration was adopted with constant electrode separation ranging from 5 to 25 m to acquire five profiles within and outside the dumpsite and processed using DIPROWIN 4.01 software. Soil and water samples were collected and analysed. The 2-D pseudosection revealed a very low resistivity value which is less than 10 ohm-meter and is suspected to be leachate infiltration which migrates to a depth of 7 m. The results of soil analysis show that clay ranges between 9.61 - 18.8 %., silt between 9.27 – 19.7 % and an average bulk density of 1.48 (relatively high for a sandy loam) which suggests that infiltration of the leachate is minimal. The pH of the water sample analysis obtained is 6.9, suggesting acidic concentrates in the groundwater of the study area. However, this pH value for drinking water is within the permissible level of 6.5 – 8.5 indicating that the groundwater in the study area is suitable for drinking and also for other purposes. A Nitrate level of 2.56 mg/l in the water sample falls within 50.0 mg/l, and nitrite level of 0.09 mg/l which is moderate when compared to the permissible level limit of 0.20 mg/l. The concentration of heavy metals in hand-dug well sample from Akanran dumpsite are Zn (1.81 mg/l), Cu (0.38 mg/l), Cr (0.003 mg/l) which are within the permissible level limit and Pb (0.21 mg/l) which recorded high metal concentration which may suggest that the dumpsite contain waste metals which may leach down the soil. In conclusion, the groundwater in the area of the survey is safe and there is possible contamination with time.

RESOURCES OF MAIN MACRONUTRIENTS IN NATURAL FERTILIZERS IN POLAND

Results of analysis of the consumption of particular macronutrients in natural fertilizers in Poland are discussed in the paper. Analysis included the consumption of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in particular types of natural fertilizers, both in relation to the fertilized area and agricultural land. The study period covered the years 2018-2019. The amount of macronutrient resources of natural fertilizers was determined at a voivodship level. As a result of data analysis, it was shown that more than 80% of NPK macronutrients were applied to the soil in the form of manure. In Poland, total NPK consumption in manure was estimated at about 80 kg/ha UAA, including 27.4 kg of N, 17.3 kg of P2O5 and 33.5 kg of K2O. The highest doses of NPK components in natural fertilizers, on a fertilized area, were applied in the Lubuskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships, as well as the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. In none of the voivodeships did the average dose of nitrogen used in manure exceed the permissible level of 170 kg of N/ha. In terms of intensity of macronutrient fertilization from natural fertilizers, the Podlaskie Voivodeship came first, which confirms its importance in terms of animal production and its significance for the development of bioeconomy in Poland.

Chemical composition of fresh and salted herring

In a comparative aspect, the results of the content of individual chemical elements in fresh and salty herring are given. It was found that in salted herring, compared to fresh, there was 4% less protein and 34% more ash, 15% zinc and 33% iron. The content of toxic elements in fresh and salted herring did not exceed the permissible level, which meets the requirements of the EAEU TR 040/2016.