Vol 30, No 5 (2023)

This article provides a comprehensive overview of global practices in assessing atmospheric air quality in different countries. The review is based on scientific literature, regulatory frameworks, and methodological documents. It delves into the specificities of pollutant regulation in various countries, including Russia, and compares the standards established in each. Substantial differences in the approaches to the regulation of pollutants in the atmospheric have been identified between the countries.

Furthermore, this study examines the methods for assessing air quality and instrumental control. It explores renowned mathematical models used for evaluating and predicting atmospheric air quality. Notably, the findings reveal striking similarities between data obtained through predictive modeling and field measurements. However, the utilization of an extensive network of measurement stations enables the acquisition of the most precise and up-to-date information on atmospheric pollutant concentrations.

Moreover, this article offers an overview of online services available globally for real-time monitoring of atmospheric air quality. These platforms play a crucial role in providing immediate insights into the state of the air we breathe. Additionally, the article presents the methods employed for assessing the health risks associated with atmospheric pollutant levels and their impact on the population health.

It has been established that the countries of Europe, the USA, and China have achieved significant success in the field of atmospheric air quality control. Residents in these countries have access to up-to-date information about the state of atmospheric air in real-time. However, in Russia, despite ongoing assessments of air quality, there is currently no public service available that provides comprehensive information on atmospheric air quality.

AIM: To study the effect of dihydroquercetin on the indicators of oxidative metabolism in young athletes engaged in the winter sports in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The indicators of oxidative metabolism were studied in a group of 56 male students (mean age 19.30±0.51 years) from the Khanty-Mansiysk boarding school of the Olympic reserve. These students were actively involved in winter sports such as cross-country skiing and biathlon. To assess the impact of the plant-derived antioxidant bioflavonoid Baikal dihydroquercetin (DHQ), the participants were administered a daily dose of 120 mg of DHQ for a period of 60 days. Measurements were taken before and after the exposure. Blood lipid peroxidation (LPO) products were studied, namely, lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) and products that react with 2-thiobarbituric acid products (PR-TBA). Additionally, we examined the indicators of the body's antioxidant defense system (ADS) through the assessment of total antioxidant activity (TAA) and thiol status (TS). To quantify the overall oxidative stress experienced by the participants, we calculated the oxidative stress coefficient (OSC) using the formula: OSC = LHP × PR-TBA / TAA × TS.

RESULTS: The average levels of LPO values (HPL and PR-TBA) among KhMAO athletes have surpassed the upper limit of optimal values. On the other hand, the ADS parameters (TAA and TS) fall within the range of physiologically optimal values, albeit closer to the lower limit. Notably, athletes have exhibited an OSC increase that is nearly 3.5 times higher than the maximum allowable value. A quarter of the individuals examined displayed elevated HPL values, while more than 30% showed increased PR-TBA levels. A third of male athletes exhibited reduced ADS values compared to the physiologically optimal range. In total, 70.4% of skiers and biathletes in KhMAO have exceeded the OSC parameters. After two months of daily intake of 120 mg DHQ, the normalization of indicators of oxidative metabolism was observed. All parameters aligned with physiologically optimal values, except for OSC. We found a decrease in primary (LHP, 1.15 times) and secondary (PR-TBA, p=0.046) LPO indicators parallel to a significant increase in ADS indicators, specifically TAA (p=0.022) and TS (p=0.049). Conversely, there was a significant increase in ADS indicators, specifically TAA (p=0.022) and TS (p=0.049).

Despite these positive changes, the OSC value, although significantly reduced (p <0.001) by 2.3 times compared to the initial value, remained above the upper limit of the physiological norm.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that young athletes engaged in winter sports experienced improved indicators of oxidative metabolism after a consistent two-month intake of the potent antioxidant DHQ. This led to the restoration of a balanced prooxidant-antioxidant state, enhanced overall well-being, and expedited recovery following intense physical exertion. Furthermore, our results may suggest that DHQ may contribute to prevention of non-communicable diseases in the future.

BACKGROUND: There is a substantial body of evidence indicating that the ecosystems in the Republic of Moldova contain a significant amount of selenium. However, little is known regarding the levels of this essential element in the hair of the country's population.

AIM: To assess hair concentrations of selenium in the population of the Republic of Moldova.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study. Hair samples were collected from 301 participants aged 1–94 years. The data were presented and analyzed by gender and across the following age-groups: under 18, 18–44, 45–59 and 60+ years old. Determination of hair selenium concentration was carried out by fluorimetric method using Fluorat 02-5M fluorimeter (Lumex, Russia). Hair sample GBW 09101b was used as a reference standard. The statistical software package SPSS 23.0 was used for data processing. Normal distribution of the continuous variables was tested using Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests with Lilliefors significance correction. Mann–Whitney tests were used for comparing selenium concentrations while Kruska-Wallis tests were used for selenium concentrations across age-groups.

RESULTS: Selenium concentrations in the hair of the population of Moldova ranged between 148 and 5000 µg/kg with arithmetic mean (М)=697 µg/kg, 95% confidence interval CI: 636–758 µg/kg, standard deviation (SD)=538 µg/kg, geometric mean (G)=598 µg/kg, median (Me)=584 µg/kg. The average values of selenium concentration in the hair of the women (M=659 µg/kg, G=565 µg/kg) were significantly lower than those among the men (M=769 µg/kg, G=666 µg/kg), p=0.004. Geometric means of selenium concentrations increased with age (540→585→601→741 µg/kg), p = 0.026.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study providing the evidence on hair concentration of selenium among the residents of Moldova. The results are congruent with earlier findings from the neighboring Odesa region of Ukraine with similar biogeochemical conditions. Significant gender differences in the concentration of selenium were observed. Moreover, hair concentration of selenium increased with age.

BACKGROUND: A substantial amount of data has been accumulated on the risks of developing toxic effects caused by exposure to chemicals that enter the human body with contaminated food items.

AIM: To assess the carcinogenic risk posed to the population's health in the Republic of Tatarstan due to chemical contamination in food products, considering regional exposure factors

METHODS: Data were obtained from the studies of food raw materials and food products performed by the testing laboratory center of the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Republic of Tatarstan (Tatarstan) in 2006–2019. Calculations of the carcinogenic risks were performed for the following food categories: meat and meat products, fish and fish products, milk and dairy products, bread and bakery products, sugar and confectionery, vegetables and melons (excluding potatoes), potatoes, fruits and berries, vegetable oils, and eggs.

RESULTS: Based on the hazard identification, it has been determined that the following substances present in food require immediate attention for the assessment of their potential carcinogenic risk: hexachlorane, α-lindane, β-lindane, lindane, heptachlor, cypermethrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, benzo(a)pyrene, derivatives of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), arsenic, cadmium, and lead. The total carcinogenic risk from exposure to the studied chemicals that contaminate food products ranges from worrying (7.9×10^–4) to high (from 2.2×10^–3 to 1.9×10^–2) for various exposure schemes.

CONCLUSION: The overall carcinogenic risk primarily arises from contamination with pesticides: heptachlor, α-lindane, β-lindane, lindane and arsenic originating mainly from vegetables, bread and bakery products, milk and dairy products.