Vol 24, No 9 (2017)

Generalization of the results of environmental hygienic studies of pollution by persistent toxic substances (PTS) of Arctic environment, levels and dynamics of exposure to PTS and PTS health effects for residents of Arctic countries (Canada, Denmark/Greenland/Faroe Islands, USA, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia) within the framework of the recently published "Human Health in the Arctic - 2015" Report of the international Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) have been conducted. The chronology of the previous AMAP reports on Arctic Pollution and Human Health 1998-2009 is presented; the algorithm of the introduction and development of international system for evaluation of quality assessment / quality control of laboratory measurements (AMAP ring-test) is described, along with the completed and ongoing studies in circumpolar countries (projects, cohorts, objects, scopes, dates), levels of PTS in the blood of the surveyed contingents with the geographical comparisons between the circumpolar and non-Arctic countries, incl. long-term dynamics. Adverse health effects associated with exposure to PTS of Arctic residents: neurobehavioral, immunological, cardiovascular, reproductive, endocrine, diabetogenic, carcinogenic - are analyzed; genetic/epigenetic aspects and effect modifiers are briefly considered. Short recommendations for future scientific research and management decisions in the Arctic are formulated, including the need to continue the biomonitoring of PTS (biota and human biological media), the need to develop adaptation strategies and adequate approaches to risk communication, application of the precautionary principle for "new" POPs, taking into consideration the global and regional consequences of climate change and the emergence on this background of the additional health risks for Arctic residents.

It is known that copper-nickel miners constitute a group of workers with an increased risk of common and occupational diseases due to the influence of a complex of harmful factors of the working environment and working process The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of working conditions and duration of work on the formation of health disorders in 1151 miners, engaged in production of copper-nickel ore in the Kola Polar region. It was found that the workers engaged in tunneling and blasting are at the highest risk of developing health problems, particularly diseases of the musculoskeletal system (36.0 % of all cases). The number of diseases diagnosed in one worker of different occupations ranges from (3.22 ± 0.32) cases (in sinkers) to (2.29 ± 0.28) cases (in electric welders). An important risk factor for health problems among miners of all professions is the length of seniority. Compared to the initial period of labor activity (up to 5 years), the prevalence of all health disorders per 100 workers increased by 1.50, 2.09, 2.70 and 3.47 times for the seniority of 6-10 years, 11-15 years, 16-20 years and more than 20 years, respectively. A direct correlation was established between the duration of the employee's experience and the number of his health disorders (r = +0.486). The conclusion is made about the need to prevent health disorders, especially diseases of the musculoskeletal system, from the very beginning of the miners professional career.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in cases of community-acquired pneumonia as a decision making criteria for medical evacuation to a specialized hospital. Study type - retrospective, clinical and physiological. The object of study - 27 stories of recruits with severe CAP aged 18-25 years who were evacuated to the Center of anesthesiology, intensive care of Naval Clinical Hospital of Severomorsk. When pneumonia was diagnosticated during hospitalization indicators of general clinical blood test, X-ray examination data, pulse oximetry were studied; numerical score on a scale of SMRT-CO was performed. A comparative analysis with related data was carried out on the second day of evacuees stay in Center of anesthesiology and intensive care with the negative dynamics of the disease. A statistically significant association of lung tissue volume destruction (number of segments) with hemoglobin level (r = 0.735 with p = 0.001) and the number of red blood cells (r = 0.65 with p = 0.001) was stated. Therefore, the detection in remote Arctic areas a young patient with CAP with lesions larger than 3 segments, hemoglobin readings below 117 g/l and the number of red blood cells is less than 3,8 x1012/l are additional criteria for medical evacuation necessity to a specialized hospital with respiratory support.

This article presents the results of analysis of mortality dynamics among population of 9 territories of Arctic and Subarctic regions, using linear regression technique. All-cause mortality reduction was significantly greater in the 4 territories of the country. These 4 regions were: Murmansk region and Komi Republic (for females), Archangelsk region (for both sexes) and Republic Sakha (Yakutia) (for males). The following regions displayed mortality reduction which was close to national averages or less: YaNAO, KhMAO and Magadan region. Mortality rates among males declined faster than that among females. Relatively lower mortality indicators in the territories of YaNAO and KhMAO could likely be attributed to migration of the population to mid-latitude regions with accumulated burden of northern pathology. Mortality reduction tendencies from the leading death causes (diseases of circulatory system, respiratory diseases, external causes) in the region are close to national averages. The most strongly mortality reduced from brain strokes, myocardial infarction and external causes of death. The mortality rates and the mortality dynamics can be described as relatively positive in the region on the whole, except for "other diseases of circulatory system" category, where mortality rates exceeded national average twice in particular years. Life expectancy in the Arctic region is close to that in Russia, except two autonomous regions - Khanty-Mansiisky and Yamalo-Nenetsky, where life expectancy was higher than national average by 1.7 and 2.6 years among males and by 0.4 and 0.7 years among females, respectively. The situation in Nenetsky and Chukotsky Autonomous Regions and in Magadan region remains unclear because of possible inaccuracy of primary data.