Abstract
Introduction: Stability of physicochemical parameters of body fluids reflects the degree of influence of environmental factors on the body. Objective: To assess the body response to snowmelt water consumption for drinking purposes in military personnel serving in the Arctic based on blood parameters. Material and methods: The study was conducted in summer 2022. We took snowmelt water samples for chemical analysis and venous samples from 51 servicemen for a complete blood count and electrolyte measurements. Results: Snowmelt testing showed that the levels of iron were 1.2–1.6, copper – 22.2, zinc – 52.1, sodium – 11.6 to 21.9, magnesium – 5.7 to 29.1, and calcium – 9.0 to 34.1 times lower than reference concentrations. Potassium levels were negligible. The length of service of the study subjects in the Arctic above the 76th parallel North was 5.7 ± 0.3 years. Blood test results showed low or lower normal values of erythrocyte count in 39.2 %, hematocrit – in 19.6 %, and mean hemoglobin – in 13.7 % of the military personnel. A high mean corpuscular volume was detected in 17.6 % of them. The proportion of stab neutrophils in the sample was 0.55 ± 0.04 % with the normal range of 1 to 6 %. The electrolyte imbalance was evidenced by high serum potassium levels in 21.6 %, a lack of ionized calcium and magnesium in 29.4 % and 17.6 %, respectively, and sodium, phosphorus, and chlorine levels at the lower limit of the normal range in 29.4 to 47.1 % of the examined. Conclusions: Snowmelt water contains low concentrations of inorganic chemicals. Its long-term daily consumption for drinking purposes leads to electrolyte imbalance in the body, such as hypotonic water overload, and is likely to affect nonspecific resistance.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: ЗДОРОВЬЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СРЕДА ОБИТАНИЯ - ЗНиСО / PUBLIC HEALTH AND LIFE ENVIRONMENT
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.