Substantiation of the hygienic standard for air exchange multiplicity in medical premises of ambulances built into residential houses for preservation and improvement of the health of medical staff

Objective: We substantiated a hygienic standard for air exchange multiplicity in the doctors’medical premises at the ambulances built into residential houses to preserve and strengthen their health. Materials and methods: The analytical method was applied in the work (regulatory framework of sanitary and town-planning legislation, development of the hygienic standard by calculation method). The air exchange calculation for the working places of family doctors of the built-in ambulances was carried out in accordance with the NBS B.2.5-67:2013 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Results and discussion: The calculation of air exchange rate for the doctors’ working places of the healh care facilities built into the residential houses was carried out in accordance with the NBS B.2.5-67:2013 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (Annex X (mandatory) Minimum Outdoor Air Consumption) and corresponding formulas. To calculate the air exchange in the doctors’premises, the category of the works of the doctors of the ambulance medical practice, which refers to light physical (office) work by the category I; the number of nurses at work at the same time and the potential number of visitors (2 persons - doctor and patient; 3 persons - doctor, nurse and patient and / or doctor, patient and accompanying person; 4 persons - doctor, nurse, patient and accompanying patient person); the minimum air consumption per 1 person - 60 m3 / hour; the regulatory size of the area of the medical premises (12 m2, 18 m2) and different types of housing estate with 2.5 m and 3 m premise high were taken into account. Conclusions: To replace the current standard K = 1 (NBS B.2.2-10-2001 Health Care Facilities), the standards of optimal air exchange multiplicity K = 6.44 and K = 8.40 in doctors’ medical facilities with different sizes and the number of people staying simultaneously were substantiated on the basis of the conducted hygienic study of the conditions of the placement of modern health care facilities of ambulance type built into residential houses. In order to ensure strengthening and preservation of the health of medical staff and patients and to create the proper sanitary and anti-epidemic working conditions for staff, the health care facilities, built into residential houses, need the mechanical plenum-exhaust ventilation according to the new reasonable standards of air exchange multiplicity for medical premises.

Гігієнічні нормативи хімічних речовин в атмосферному повітрі: досягнення минулого та сучасні погляди у майбутнє

Objective: We generalized and assessed the prior chemical pollutants in accordance with the time of their averaging by the data of domestic and foreign regulatory frameworks. Materials and methods: To achieve the goal, we used the bibliographic and analytical methods. We analyzed the databases of Ukraine and the EU countries, the USA and Canada on the current standards for chemical agents and the time of their averaging in accordance with the purpose - prevention of acute and chronic effects. Results and discussion: As a result of the comparison of the data on the regulations and standards for chemical agents in ambient air, we identified the agents that are criterial ones in most countires. For these substances, monitoring methods have been developed and standards have been substantiated and adopted for two averaging periods: twenty-minute and average daily. In most countries, two standards have been also adopted for each agent, but the averaging period is longer there: an average annual and a daily average. Such standards may control and prevent the chronic effect of substances. As a result, the use of the Ukrainian and foreign standards leads to the controversial estimates of the actual air pollution. The average daily standard adopted in Ukraine, on the one hand, is much stricter in comparison with the similar foreign criteria, and on the other hand, it does not correspond to the peculiarities of the formation of ambient air pollution, and is inadequate for the averaging time. Conclusions: 1. Comparative analysis of hygienic standards indicates the needs to harmonize the ambient air quality standards in force in Ukraine with international ones. 2. The existing system of the hygienic standards in Ukraine must be supplemented with the standard for the annual averaging period by transferring the operating average daily concentrations to this rank.

Hygienic assessment of potential ecotoxicological risk of the use of new insecticide spiromesifen in agriculture of Ukraine

Objective: The aim of our work was to study the potential ecotoxicological hazard of a new chemical from the class of tetramic and tetronic acid derivatives - the insecticide spiromesifen, taking into account its physico-chemical properties and impact on the environmental objects. Materials and methods: An assessment of the potential danger of spiromesifen use for ecosystems was carried out on the basis of the calculation of the ecotoxicological hazard (ecotox) by N.N. Melnikov’s method. The field studies were carried out in different agro-climatic zones of Ukraine. The treatment of vineyards and apple trees was carried out at the maximum consumption rates of spiromesifen. Results: According to the literary data and our research, it was found that in the soil-and-climatic conditions of Ukraine, the ecotoxicological risk, when using the new insecticide spiromesifen, is 10,000 times and 7,000 times low than the analogous characteristics of DDT. Ecotox abamectin is 154 times low than ecotox DDT. This makes preparations, based on these substances, more promising and competitive among other pesticides in agricultural use. We can conclude that spiromesifen does not pose a threat to terrestrial ecosystems and health of the population.

Assessment of peroral intake of nitrates with drinking water for different sections of the population of Zhytomyr region

Objective: We assessed the degree of risk to the health of the rural population of different ages with constant peroral intake of nitrates with drinking water. Materials and methods: The study was conducted within the rural residential areas of Zhytomyr region and it is a part of the research "Ecological and social assessment of the state of rural residential areas in the context of sustainable development." Drinking water samples were taken from public and private sources of decentralized water supply: wells, bore-wells and natural sources. A total 549 water samples were taken. In the study, we used general scientific methods: analytical, field, laboratory and statistical ones. Results: Among the studied areas, the largest excess of the average content of nitrates was recorded in drinking water of rural settlements of Berdychiv district. The risk assessment showed that the children aged 0-10 years were the most sensitive population to nitrates, and the women were more vulnerable to nitrates than the men among the adult population. The significant correlations between an excess of nitrate content in drinking water and cancer among adults and children in Berdychiv district have been proven. Conclusions: It has been proven that with a constant oral intake of nitrates with drinking water, harmful effects on the health of the rural population are observed, which, according to their sensitivity to their action, were distributed as follows: children 0-10 years old> adult women> adult men> adolescents.Taking into account the results obtained, it is necessary to monitor constantly the quality of drinking water sources of decentralized water supply in rural areas and to inform the rural population about water quality and the impact of its impurities on human health.

Homocysteine, pituitary and thyroid hormones in children with different physical development levels after forest fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone

Objective We performed a comparative assessment of the blood levels of homocysteine, pituitary and thyroid hormones in children with different levels of physical development before and after forest fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone (ChEZ) in 2015. Methods: We used immunochemical, instrumental, mathematical and statistical methods. Results: The analysis of variable dynamics was performed in 336 adolescents of the Polisskyi and the Ivankivskyi districts of Kyiv region. An association was found between homocysteine (Нсу), hormones of the pituitary-thyroid axis and physical development of children. A statistically significantly higher level of Нсу was observed in the adolescents from the Ivankivskyi district in comparison with the children from the Polisskyi district. Forest fires in the spring and summer of 2015 in the ChEZ should be considered the main cause for the increase in Нсу in the blood of the adolescents. The increased level of Т3 in the peripheral tissues induced by Нсy and TSH contributed to a decrease in the physical development index values. Due to a decrease in the intensity of the Т4 deiodination process, the insufficient formation of Т3 in the peripheral tissues was recorded in the group of children with a disharmonious high physical development.

The development of the incidence of non-neoplastic diseases of the digestive system in adults evacuated from the 30-kilometer zone of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant during the post-accident observation period (1992–2016)

Objective: We analyzed the absolute risk of the development of the incidence of non-neoplastic diseases of the digestive system in adults evacuated from the 30-kilometer zone of the Chornobyl NPP over 1992–2016 epidemiological surveillance. Materials and methods: For the epidemiological study of the incidence of non-neoplastic diseases of the digestive system in the evacuated from the 30-kilometer Chornobyl zone after the Chornobyl accident in 1992–2016 we formed a cohort of 7,143 people aged 18 years and older (2,198 men and 4,945 women). To study the features of the incidence of diseases of the digestive system over the years of observation, we calculated the epidemiological indicator - the absolute risk of development (AR). Results: During 1992–2016, 13,532 cases of the diseases of the digestive system: 3,298 (24.37%) – in men; 10,234 (75.63%) - in women) were revealed for the first time. The absolute risk of the development of digestive diseases makes up 467.64 ± 2.93 cases per 103 man-years of observation (further cases/103 man-years). It was found that 91.05% (12,321 cases) with an absolute risk of 425.32 ± 5.89 93 cas./103 man-years ( 423.22 ± 5.89- in men, 426.19 ± 3, 34 - in women) belonged to the class of the diseases of digestive system (C00-C93). Mostly diseases of oral cavity, salivary glands and jaws (C00 – C14) (200.63 ± 4.77 cases/103 man-years), esophageal diseases, stomach and duodenum (C20 – C31) (146.26 ± 4.21 93) were manifested. Significant loss of health was also caused by the diseases of the gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas (C83–C87) (50.23 ± 2.60 93), liver disease (C70-C77) – (22.44 ± 1.76 93), non-infectious enteritis and colitis (C50–C52) – (3.93 ± 8.75), other intestinal diseases (C55–C63) – (1.83 ± 0.51) respectively. Irrespective of gender, the development of the incidence of non-neoplastic diseases of the digestive system is characterized by the identity of the diseases and the ratio of their values to the total cohort. However, women suffered more from the diseases of the gallbladder, biliary tract and pancreas, diseases of the oral cavity, men – from the diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Conclusions: 1. The revealed features of the development of digestive diseases in the evacuated from the 30-kilometer zone of the Chornobyl NPP (high absolute risks of diseases of oral cavity, salivary glands and jaws (C00–C14), diseases of esophagus, stomach and duodenum (C20–C31), biliary diseases bladder, biliary tract and pancreas (C80–C87)) need the improvement of medico-social measures to provide qualitative treatment-and-preventive, rehabilitative care from the primary level of medical care. 2. It is necessary to conduct medico-educational work on radiation hygiene, regimen, food intake and dietary nutrition for the minimization of the development of established prior nosological forms in the evacuees from the 30-kilometer zone of the ChNPP.

Application of uv radiators for disinfection of air and surfaces in premises

Objective: We compared the antimicrobial efficacy of different types of UV radiators. Materials and methods: In the work, we used the ultraviolet radiators of various types and manufacturers recommended for disinfection of air and surfaces of the premises. The effectiveness of surface disinfection from the test microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was established by the Regulations “Methods for testing disinfectants to assess their safety and effectiveness". We determined a total number of aerobic microorganisms and molds according to the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine 2.0, p. 2.6.12. Results: The efficacy of the use of ultraviolet radiation for disinfection of the surfaces with the most resistant representatives of gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms using a portable "Individual ultraviolet irradiator ALED UVC-1W" for 1 min. was established. The disinfection effect was 4.02 lg for S. aureus and 4.08 lg for P. aeruginosa. The effective action of the bactericidal ultraviolet radiation with the use of open-type radiators (with louvers) "UV-BLAZE" was demonstrated. A decrease of the total number of microorganisms, including molds in the air, by a factor of 36 (room № 1) and 136 (room № 2) was noted. Disinfection of the surfaces in the premises for the similar indicators was 98.6% and 99.5%, respectively. A decrease in the level of microbiological air pollution in the premises, when using LED radiation with the open-type ALED T5NXXX UVC-5W-01 luminaires for a long period of time (8 hours), was noted. The disinfection efficacy was 77% for bacteria and 83.3% for fungi.

Features of the immune response of the organism of the experementel animals to the exposure of the detergents based on anionic surfactans designed for the care of children’s tableware

Objective: We assessed the impact of the detergents, based on anionic surfactants, for the care of the children’s tableware on the indicators of the immune system of the experimental animals. Materials and methods: The effect of aqueous solutions of Alionka, Karapuz, Ushastyi Nian, Frosch Baby detergents on the indicators of the immune system was performed in the experiment with guinea pigs during 21 days. We determined the number of T- and B-lymphocytes, the number of neutrophilic granulocytes and active phagocytes; studied the reaction of the precipitation of circulating immune complexes with a solution of polyethylene glycol 6000. We used the methods of statistical processing of the results of medico-biological research. Results: The obtained results showed that the epicutaneous impact of all studied detergents for the care of children’s tableware could cause the immunomodulatory effects in the organism of guinea pigs. Changes in the largest number of the indicators of the immune system, which affected all links, were observed when exposed to Ushastyi Nian detergent. The least pronounced changes of the immunity were observed when exposed to the Frosch Baby detergent and they concerned only the indices of nonspecific resistance of the organism. The revealed inhibition of the functional activity of neutrophilic granulocytes, which was observed in animals of all experimental groups, may indicate a decrease in the protective functions of the organism of guinea pigs.

The retrospective comparative analysis of physical development of middle school age children

Objective: We determined the morphological indicators of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Lviv, established the differences between the anthropometric parameters of the children's population from other large cities of Ukraine, and assessed the trends in physical development changes over a long period. Materials and methods: According to the conventional methods of anthropometry, we examined 348 12-year-old schoolchildren (including 172 boys and 176 girls) studying at Lviv city general education institutions. Results: Gender peculiarities of morpho-functional development of 12-year-old schoolchildren in the large cities of Ukraine were revealed. They reflect the active endocrine remodeling of children, which is primarily inherent in the performance of girls. The values of individual anthropometric parameters, both among boys and girls, were determined to be significantly higher (p <0.05) than the National criteria (2013). At the same time, the height of Kyiv schoolgirls is smaller (p <0.05) against the national norms. During the analyzed period, pronounced accelerative processes were observed in the development of the 12-year-old children’s population in Kharkiv and Odessa, which indicates a certain dependence of the processes of growth and formation of the organism on the climatic and geographical conditions of habitat and the level of industrial development of the territory. The average statistical parameters of the basic indicators of physical development of Lviv schoolchildren are lower than the similar parameters of 12-year-old children in Poland. Conclusions: The obtained results of the study confirm our previous assumptions about the necessity to work out the regional standards for anthropometric indicators of middle age schoolchildren at the regional level and recommend to use them in the assessment of children's health by family doctors and pediatricians. In the future, it is planned to expand the list of major cities in Ukraine selected for our study, and increase the number of sample groups of 12-year-old schoolchildren, which will increase the level of statistical reliability of the results.

Determination of histamine in fish and fish products: validation of photometric method

Topicality: The content of histamine in high concentrations causes a number of diseases that even lead to death, it is one of the indicators that characterizes the safety of fish and fish products. Therefore, the choice or development of a simple and inexpensive method for the determination of histamine content in fish and fish products is relevant. Objective: We confirmed the effectiveness of photometric method for the determination of histamine in fish and fish products by obtaining and analyzing validation characteristics. Results: Based on the results of validation, it has been substantiated and experimentally proved that the photometric method of quantitative determination of histamine can be correctly reproduced and is suitable for the quality control of measurements. The most acceptable results were obtained for histamine concentrations in the range from 50.0 ± 0.1 to 200.0 ± 0.5 mg/kg. The lower histamine concentrations are characterized by a higher percentage of total uncertainty, although it is also within acceptable values. Conclusions: Evaluation of the obtained validation characteristics indicates that this technique can be used to quantify the content of histamine in fish and fish products and is not inferior in accuracy and correctness to the method of high performance liquid chromatography.