[Risk and features of occupational diseases in nonferrous metallurgy workers of Kolsky Transpolar area].

The study covered data on 977 cases of occupational diseases in 615 workers of nonferrous metallurgy in Kolsky Transpolar area. Findings are high risk of occupational diseases in workers engaged into electrolysis production of aluminium, all nickel reprocessing and pyrometallic copper reprocessing (GR 7.02-10.0). Electrolysis operators and anode operators of aluminium production are more prone to occupational diseases, with bone and muscular disorders (46.8%) prevalent in the morbidity structure. Respiratory diseases are more prevalent (68.2-100%) in the occupational morbidity structure of copper-nickelindustry workers. Conclusion is made on mandatory improvement of the work conditions and more effective individual protective means against occupational hazards in workers of nonferrous metallurgy in Kolsky Transpolar area.

[Influence of industrial pollution of ambient air on health of workers engaged into open air activities in cold conditions].

The article presents the results of a study on assessment of occupational exposure to air pollutants and related health effects in3792 outdoor workers engaged in operations performed in the vicinity of non-ferrous metallurgical facilities in Far North. Findings are that during cold season repeated climate and weather conditions are associated with higher level of chemical hazards and dust in surface air. At the air temperature below -17 degrees C, maximal single concentrations of major pollutants can exceed MAC up to 10 times. With that, transitory disablement morbidity parameters and occupational accidents frequency increase significantly. The workers with long exposure to cooling meteorological factors and air pollution demonstrate significantly increased prevalence of respiratory and circulatory diseases, despite relatively low levels of sculpture dioxide and dust in the air, not exceeding the occupational exposure limits. It has been concluded that severe cold is to be considered asa factor increasing occupational risk at air polluted outdoor worksites dueto more intense air pollution, higher traumatism risk and lower efficiency of filter antidust masks respiratory PPE and due to modification of the toxic effects.

[Blood heavy metals in women of indigenous ethnic groups in the Far North].

The paper presents the results of an investigation of the blood levels of mercury, lead, and cadmium in women of indigenous ethnic groups in the Far North. A certain correlation was found between the higher incidence of some poor pregnancy outcomes and fetal maldevelopment upon increased maternal exposure to heavy metals. The found correlations were statistically insignificant. There was no significant association of female exposure to heavy metals with menstrual irregularities and the sex ratio of neonates.

[Influence of environmental and industrial immunotoxic hazards on clinical course of HIV-infection].

The authors assessed peculiarities of effects caused by the most prevalent environmental pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, mercury) extensively accumulated in human body on clinical course of HIV-infection.

[General and occupational morbidity in workers engaged into electrolysis nickel production in Transpolar Kolsky area].

Findings are that occupational factors in nickel electrolysis workshops induce respiratory and peripheral nervous system diseases. Electrolysis workers demonstrate the highest prevalence and risk of occupational diseases. The authors make a conclusion on necessity to improve prophylactic methods for occupational disorders in these workers.

[Reduction of a risk of the deleterious effects of persistent toxic substances on the health of the far north population].

The paper presents the general principles and procedure of the development and implementation of measures to decrease and prevent environmental pollution with persistent toxic substances (PTS) in the Russian Arctic and, accordingly, to reduce a risk of the deleterious effects of PTS on human health. Based on the results of a study of PTS in the Russian Arctic (from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka), the authors first systematized the basic lines and actions and formulated specific measures to reduce the North population's exposure to PTSs, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, organic chlorine pesticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, hexachlorocyclohexane, hexachlorobenzene, etc.), and heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium). A package of measures is aimed at maximally reducing the presence of PTS-containing objects and materials in the north (via detection, collection, and extermination), at neutralizing the soils in settlement lands, at setting up safe water consumption systems, at organizing effective control over the safe use of chemicals and the levels of PTS in raw food materials and foodstuffs, and at working out recommendations on safe procedures for food purchase, storage, and cooking.

Combining data sets of organochlorines (OCs) in human plasma for the Russian Arctic.

As part of AMAP's human circumpolar study of POPs, an international effort was initiated to extend coverage to communities across the Russian Arctic. Two additional laboratories were invited to join the analytical component of this effort, resulting in four participating analytical centres. Although quality assurance measures were put in place, and the level of performance of the laboratories was generally acceptable, deficiencies in the analytical protocols used were recognized subsequent to the collection and analyses of the plasma specimens. The current paper describes the criteria employed to critically appraise the four data bases and guide their integration into a single data set. Summary statistics are presented for plasma concentrations of major PCBs, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, beta-HCH, and HCB for communities/regions across the arctic/subarctic Russian continent, and for one community located in the Aral Sea area of Uzbekistan (a control group). Highly exposed people were identified in the coastal communities of Chukotka, which appears mainly related to marine mammal intake, but recent pesticide use is also suspected. Other communities with intermediate levels of PCBs had relatively elevated beta-HCH, p,p'-DDT and HCB concentrations and low DDE/DDT ratios (<10), suggesting recent pesticide use.

[A priori occupational health risk for workers of ore mining and processing enterprise].

The authors present hygienic evaluation of work conditions, calculate dust loads and risk of stochastic effects in workers of ore mining and processing enterprise. Integral evaluation of the work conditions, according to hygienic criteria, by totality of acting occupational hazards, corresponds to class 3.1-3.4.

[Chemical hair analysis in ore-dressing and processing plant workers].

The article presents results of studies covering elements content of hair and mineral bone density among workers engaged into Utchalinsky ore-dressing and processing enterprise (Utchaly town, Bashkortostan Republic) and among residents of copper-zinc geochemical province. Finding is dysbalance between levels of essential and toxic elements in hair, that is due to environmental and occupational factors. Analysis of elements homeostasis and mineral bone density could be recommended for early diagnosis of osteoporosis.

[Kolsky register of births as an instrument of epidemiologic studies of female reproductive health].

The authors evaluate possible use of Monchegorsk retrospective birth database for demographic and epidemiologic studies of various female reproductive health parameters, newborn health parameters, as well as their connections with occupational and other environmental factors.

Circumpolar maternal blood contaminant survey, 1994-1997 organochlorine compounds.

During the past 20 years a number of studies have found neurological and immunological effects in the developing fetus and infants exposed to background or only slightly elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To address concerns arising from possible increased human exposure in the Arctic and possible effects of POPs, all circumpolar countries agreed in 1994 to monitoring of specific human tissues for contaminants in the Arctic under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP). Mothers in eight circumpolar countries contributed blood samples that were analysed at a single laboratory for 14 PCB congeners (IUPAC No. 28, 52, 99, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 156, 170, 180, 183, 187) and 13 organochlorine pesticides (aldrin, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), dichlordiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), diphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), dieldrin, heptachlorepoxide, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, and the chlordane derivatives alpha-chlordane, gamma-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor). Inuit mothers from Greenland and Canada have significantly higher levels of oxychlordane, transnonachlor and mirex than mothers from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Russia. Inuit mothers from Greenland also have significantly higher levels of these contaminants than Inuit mothers from Canada and Alaska. These differences among Inuit groups may represent regional dietary preferences or different contaminant deposition patterns across the Arctic. Levels of PCBs are also elevated among some arctic populations due to their consumption of marine mammals and are in the range where subtle effects on learning and the immune system have been reported. The Russian mothers who consume mainly food imported from southern Russia have elevated levels of DDT, DDE, beta-HCH and a higher proportion of lower chlorinated PCB congeners. This study has allowed an assessment of the variation of contaminants such as PCBs and various organochlorine pesticides (DDT, chlordane, etc.) in human populations around the circumpolar north.

[Peculiarities of neoplastic epidemiologic studies in children residing near nickel producing facilities]. / Osobennosti izucheniia épidemiologii opukholevykh zabolevanii u detei, prozhivaiushchikh v raionakh razmeshcheniia predpriiatii po proizvodstvu nikelia.

Studying risk factors of malignancies in children who reside near nickel metallurgic enterprise covers creation of a register for long-term epidemiologic monitoring. The article presents possible ways to obtain reliable information from various sources, deals with their positive and negative aspects for electronic database.

[Biologic monitoring in evaluating risk of occupational intoxications development]. / Biomonitoring v otsenke riska razvitiia professional'nykh intoksikatsii.

The authors justify importance of biologic monitoring to increase quality of hygienic control over and diagnosis of occupational disease. The article covers data on international terminology for exposure tests parameters. Although difficult in elaboration, the exposure tests are highly informative and necessary to be put into practice.

[On monitoring chemicals]. / K probleme monitoringa khimicheskikh veshchestv.

The authors necessitate biologic monitoring to be conducted along with chemical monitoring of environmental objects. Accomplishment of biologic monitoring and interpretation of its results are associated with difficulties. Being a valuable addition to chemical monitoring, biologic monitoring is a total chemical dose incorporated by a biologic object.

[On groups maximal allowable concentration for nickel and its inorganic compounds]. / O gruppovoi predel'no dopustimoi kontsentratsii nikelia i ego neorganicheskikh soedinenii.

The article deals with setting a unified group Maximal Allowable Concentration for inorganic nickel compounds that pollute ambient air in hydro- and pyrometallurgic industries.

[Ecological and ethical issues related to the protection of population reproductive health]. / Ekologicheskie i éticheskie problemy okhrany reproduktivnogo zdorov'ia naseleniia.

The legal and ethical issues related with the protection of population reproductive health, under the conditions of anthropogenic contamination of the environment, including the labor environment, are discussed in the article. A concept of pregnancy planning to ensure a healthy posterity under the mentioned conditioned was formulated. Documents of WHO, ILO and the EU experience in dealing with the issues in question are illustrated. An increasing role of social labor measurement as well as the evolution of law, i.e. civil, labor, and social law, as well as the right to unified medical-and-social insurance, are in the focus of attention. The prospects for a new WHO-ICF classification, as a social UNO classification, are pointed out. The sensitivity--susceptibility--vulnerability chain was analyzed, and a growing social context was underlined in it. The individual and team risks were considered, and the Code of professional ethics of hygienists was paid attention to.

[Direct detection of an antigen in immunoglobulin G Langmuir-Blodgett films based on a surface plasma resonance method and in a piezoelectric system]. / Priamaia detektsiia antigena v plenkakh Léngmiura-Blodzhett immunoglobulinov G na osnove metoda poverkhnostnogo plazmonnogo rezonansa i v p'ezoélektricheskoi sisteme.

The possibilities of direct antigen detection in unlabelled systems based on immunoglobulin G Langmuir-Blodgett films as a sensitive surface have been studied. It was shown that an increase in the monolayer number in an immunoglobulin G Langmuir-Blodgett film deposited onto a solid surface coated with a thin silver film (50 nm) resulted in the regeneration of the antigen-binding capacity of the upper antibody layer. This dependence can be used for the construction of a direct optical immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, a model of a piesoelectric immunosensor on the basis of immunoglobulin G Langmuir-Blodgett films for direct ferritin detection has been proposed. The detection range of ferritin concentrations in solution is 10(-10)-10(-7) M.