Hygienic Assessment Research Articles

Oral hygiene of stroke patients in a stroke unit: a best practice implementation project.

People with stroke are at risk of poor oral hygiene caused by neurological deficits, which can be motor, sensory, or cognitive. Good oral hygiene has been shown to reduce adverse events and improve the patient's quality of life. Although nurses recognize the benefits of oral hygiene, evidence shows that this area of care is frequently overlooked. This evidence implementation project aimed to improve oral hygiene in stroke patients through the application of best practices. This project was conducted in a stroke unit in a hospital in northern Portugal. The project followed the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit process. Four audit criteria were used in the baseline and follow-up audits. Observation of nursing care and analysis of nursing records were used to assess current practice against best practice recommendations. Nurses were engaged in the project through brainstorming to identify barriers, co-create strategies to address the barriers, and ensure project sustainability. The baseline audit revealed low compliance with the four audit criteria. The follow-up audit showed increased compliance, with Criterion 1 improving from 0% to 100%, with all nurses receiving training on oral hygiene assessment and management. Compliance increased by 40% for Criterion 2 and 36.7% for Criteria 3 and 4, respectively. The project successfully promoted compliance with best practice recommendations and increased evidence-based practice for oral hygiene in patients with stroke in a stroke unit. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A302.

Оцінка безпечності дієтичної добавки “Rheumacаre Ultra”, оптимізація дієтологічних умов для функціонування суглобів

In Ukraine, among chronic diseases, pathology of the musculoskeletal system is one of the most frequent problems, and about 3.5 million people have problems with the musculoskeletal system and its various complications, which require continuous therapy throughout life. Aim. Generalization of the results of a comprehensive sanitary and hygienic assessment of the safety for consumers of a dietary supplement created to support the normal functioning of joints; data analysis of electronic publishers Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, other foreign and domestic sources of scientific information on the research topic. Materials and Methods. The dietary supplement "Rheumacare Ultra" has been tested for the content of heavy metals and pesticides for compliance with the State Sanitary Rules and Regulations of Ukraine. The microbiological safety of the dietary supplement was controlled by the content of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms. The method of ultra-high-performance high-speed mass spectrometric liquid chromatography with electron spray ionization (UPLC-MC/MC, Waters, USA) and the gas chromatography method were used to determine the content of pesticide residues; the content of lead, cadmium, mercury was determined by the atomic emission method (instrument ‒ atomic emission spectrometer "SHIMADSU ICPE ‒ 9820"). Results. Based on expert assessment of documentation, analysis of data sources of scientific information, results of sanitarychemical, radiological and sanitary-microbiological studies, it was established that dietary supplement "Rheumacare Ultra" ("Rheumacare Ultra") is safe for the health of consumers and can be used for purpose: to promote the normalization of metabolism, optimization of the chemical composition of the diet, creation of optimal dietary conditions to support the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system, in particular ‒ joints; to purposefully affect the growth of the level of adaptation capabilities of the human body in conditions of constantly increasing harmful effects of the environment. Conclusions. Assessing the safety of traditional Ayurvedic recipes is a difficult task due to the multicomponent composition of organic-mineral complexes and the lack of complete information on the chemical structure of biologically active components of endemic plants and their impact on human health. Keywords: dietary supplements, sanitary and hygienic assessment, musculoskeletal system, joints.

Impact of trachoma elimination efforts in afar regional state, Ethiopia: survey findings from 26 evaluation units

BackgroundFollowing interventions to eliminate trachoma in the Afar region of Ethiopia, our goal was to reassess the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) at the woreda level, and to identify factors associated with the disease.MethodsCross-sectional community-based surveys were conducted in 26 trachoma-endemic woredas, employing a standardized approach. Households were selected as the secondary sampling unit. Surveys involved interviews with household heads, direct assessment of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access, and clinical examination of eligible household members for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF).ResultOverall, 18 out of the 26 woredas (69%) achieved the World Health Organization-recommended threshold for active trachoma elimination, with a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) below 5% in children aged 1–9 years. Additionally, 14 woredas (54%) met the threshold for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) elimination, with a prevalence of TT cases unknown to the health system below 0.2% in adults aged 15 years and older. However, access to improved drinking water sources within a 30-minute trip was limited to only 17% of households, and merely 9% had access to improved latrines. Addressing these WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) challenges remains critical for sustaining progress in trachoma control and achieving long-term public health improvements in the Afar region.ConclusionIn seven woredas, further rounds of antibiotic mass drug administration are required, complemented by initiatives to promote facial cleanliness and improve environmental conditions. Additionally, surgical campaigns for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) are needed in 12 woredas. There is a critical need to enhance access to improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across all surveyed woredas to consolidate gains in trachoma control and achieve sustained public health improvements.

"Comparison of the efficacy of Erich arch bars, IMF screws and SMART Lock Hybrid arch bars in the management of mandibular fractures- A Randomized clinical study".

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the efficacy of Erich Arch Bar (EAB), Inter Maxillary Fixation (IMF) screws and SMART Lock Hybrid arch bar (HABs) in the treatment of mandibular fractures. A prospective randomized clinical study was carried out in the Department of Dentistry at ESIC Hospital in Hyderabad from August 2021 to August 2023. The study comprised of three groups (EAB group (31), IMF screw group (33) and HABs group (29)).Primary outcome variable was occlusal stability. Secondary outcome variables were time taken to apply the device, glove perforation, oral hygiene assessment by Modified Turskey Gilmore Plaque index, Quality of life (QOL) assessment by General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), mucosal growth and dental injuries. The average application time for EAB, IMF screws and HABs was 78 min, 15 min and 19 min respectively. No significant difference was noticed in occlusal stability at the end of 1 week and 4 weeks follow-up period. There was no statistically significant difference in instances of dental injury among the three groups. However, there were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the time taken to apply, glove perforation, oral hygiene levels, mucosal overgrowth and total GOHAI score among the 3 groups. HABs and IMF screws may be recommended over EABfor MMF inmandibular dentate segment fracture management due to their advantages including quick application, enhanced occlusal stability, and QOL, all of which are required for a better functional outcome.

Assessment of Infection Control Practices Among Caregivers of Daycare Centers

Objective: This study aimed to assess infection control practices among caregivers in daycare centers across Punjab, Pakistan, to identify gaps and recommend improvements for reducing disease transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in private, public, and NGO-run daycare centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Data were collected from 150 caregivers using a structured questionnaire divided into demographic, hygiene practices, and environmental factors. Observational data on infection control practices were also recorded. The questionnaire included a 5-point Likert scale for hygiene assessments, while immunization and child health data were self-reported. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with p-values &lt;0.05 considered significant. Ethical approval was obtained, and participant confidentiality was maintained per the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Female caregivers constituted 71.3%, with a mean age of 39.91 years (SD = 11.75). Adequate hygiene facilities were reported in 72.7% of centers (p=0.012*), and regular sanitation practices were maintained in 83.3% (p=0.002**). Hand hygiene scored a mean of 3.04 (SD = 1.12), while PPE usage was 2.98 (SD = 1.10). Immunization was complete for 86.0% of children, while illness episodes averaged 2.12 (SD = 1.09, p=0.013*). Conclusion: Significant gaps in infection control practices necessitate regular training, facility improvements, and policy interventions to enhance child health and safety in daycare centers.

Methodological approaches to hygienic assessment of safe distances when performing agricultural work using unmanned aircraft systems

Introduction. Methods and technologies for assessing and managing risk are becoming the basic mechanisms for ensuring the protection of the health in citizens and the environment from the harmful effects of environmental factors. This is explained by the presence of constant threats associated with the influence of these factors, including the use of modern methods of introducing chemicals during agricultural work. Agricultural unmanned aircraft systems (AUAS) designed to spray pesticides are increasingly being used around the world. The basis for the safe use of pesticides for the population is to minimize the possibility of their spread through the air and settling on the soil outside the treated area, which is ensured by compliance with hygienic requirements for equipment used in agriculture, application regulations, weather conditions during processing, and the size of the sanitary gap between the treated area and settlements, water bodies, etc. The purpose of this study was to substantiate the safe distances from areas of agricultural application of pesticides using AUAS to objects regulated in accordance with sanitary legislation (settlements, sources of household, drinking and cultural water use, etc.). Materials and methods. The demolition formed during the application of pesticides of various purposes using AUAS has been studied. The content of drugs carried away by air currents was monitored by measuring the concentration of the substance in the atmospheric air and deposited on the “blue ribbon” filters placed in Petri dishes outside the processing band. Results. The maximum concentrations of substances in the atmospheric air at all distances from the treatment site were below their hygienic standards for atmospheric air. There is a clear decrease in concentrations in air samples as they move away from the treated area and a nonlinear decrease in concentrations in sedimentation samples with the presence of weak local maxima. Limitations. A small sample of the studied substances, due to the limited time of the study, does not allow unambiguously identifying the patterns of drift formation depending on their physical-chemical properties, in particular volatility, molecular weight, etc. Conclusion. The data obtained indicate to the need to continue research for a reasoned correction or confirmation, proposed based on the results of the tests, of the safe distance (700 m) from the sites treated with pesticides to the facilities normalized in accordance with sanitary legislation.

Bronchopulmonary pathology among egg poultry workers

Introduction. Poultry farming is one of the leading branches of agriculture, whose workers work under the influence of various factors that have a sensitizing, fibrogenic and toxic effect on the respiratory system. Materials and methods. As part of a cross-sectional study, the incidence of diseases of the respiratory system, medical and social factors of life, and the state of the respiratory system in one hundred thirty five egg poultry workers were studied. A hygienic assessment of the factors of the working environment and the labour process was carried out. The results of the study were statistically processed using the Statistica 10 software. Results. The air condition of the working area at the enterprise under study was established to meet sanitary and hygienic requirements. A high incidence of chronic bronchitis and a significant prevalence of respiratory dysfunction in egg poultry workers have been detected. With an increase in work experience, there is a decrease in the indices of external respiratory function and an increase in the level of allergic mood of the body of employees of the main occupationso. The use of smoking tobacco products is not a priority risk factor in the formation of diseases in workers of the main poultry farming occupations. Taking into account the results obtained it is planned to continue research on the study of working conditions that are risk factors for violations of the state of the respiratory system in egg poultry workers and the mechanism of their formation. Limitations. The study has regional (Saratov region) and occupational (poultry farm workers) limitations. Conclusion. The concentration of the dust in the air of the working area in workers in the main occupations of egg poultry does not exceed acceptable values. At the same time, a high incidence of chronic bronchitis was revealed, as well as a significant prevalence of respiratory dysfunction in workers, which is associated with an increase in occupational experience. The results of the assessment of the state of the respiratory system determine the expediency of studying modern working conditions in egg poultry workers and their influence on the formtation of bronchopulmonary pathology.

Hygienic Assessment of Nutritional Status as a Behavioral Risk Factor for the Health of Cosmetologists

Hygienic Assessment of Nutritional Status as a Behavioral Risk Factor for the Health of Cosmetologists

Assessment Of Personal Hygiene, Nutritional Status and Morbidity Profile Among Primary School Children of Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu- A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessment Of Personal Hygiene, Nutritional Status and Morbidity Profile Among Primary School Children of Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu- A Cross-Sectional Study

Assessment of Personal Hygiene, Sanitation, and Operational Practices of a Smoked Fish Production Facility in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

This study evaluated the personal hygiene, sanitation, and operational practices of a smoked fish production facility in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, aiming to enhance food safety standards and promote better worker health within the facility. A survey and face-to-face interview were conducted to gather the needed information. The facility demonstrated strong knowledge of food safety principles, including personal hygiene and sanitation, specifically on the use of protective gear, with 5 level of agreement or strongly agree on the answered statements. However, the study found that the facility’s practices fell short in several areas, including infrequent handwashing among workers, inadequate handwashing stations, inconsistent documentation, insufficient temperature control, and a lack of formal sanitation documentation. The facility also needs to improve its training program to ensure that workers are up-to-date on best practices. The study provided recommendations for improvement, including investing in reliable temperature monitoring systems, conducting regular training sessions for workers on HACCP principles, implementing a system for maintaining detailed records of production and maintenance, encouraging employees to wash their hands frequently during shifts, installing traps and implementing a regular pest control program, and ensuring that all finished products are properly labeled with accurate product information and nutritional content.

Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Hand Dirtiness Assessment to Inform Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Appropriateness in Community Settings in Uganda and Kenya.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) availability and use increased as a prevention measure. ABHR is a convenient, effective way to kill microbes on hands but is hampered by the presence of organic material, whereas handwashing with water and soap (HWWS) can physically remove microbes and dirt. Although ABHR is preferred in most health care settings, the suitability of ABHR use in community settings has not been measured. We compared characteristics between community members and health care personnel (HCP) to inform considerations for promoting ABHR in community settings. We included data from community locations and health care facilities in Kenya and Uganda collected between 2021 and 2022. Hand dirtiness swabs were measured using the Quantitative Personal Hygiene Assessment Tool (qPHAT), a visual scale where 0 is very visibly dirty and 10 is no visible dirt. Participants were also asked about the appropriate method to use when hands were visibly dirty. Hand swabs were collected from HCP and community members. Both groups had median qPHAT scores of five. Neither the adjusted odds of having a qPHAT score less than or equal to five (1.4, 95% CI: 0.8-2.2) nor the adjusted odds of responding correctly to the knowledge question (0.8, 95% CI: 0.4-1.4) differed significantly by setting. People in community settings may, therefore, have comparable hand dirtiness and knowledge of appropriate hand hygiene practices to use ABHR as a HWWS complement. Further investigation into guidance and use of supportive messaging should be considered as completed elsewhere.

Risk factors for Early Childhood Caries in Italian preschoolers: A cross-sectional analysis.

Early childhood caries (ECC) represent a relevant public health issue in paediatric population globally. The current study aimed to investigate the main risk factors of this condition. This is a cross-sectional study carried out at the Child Dentistry Clinics of the Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan, Italy, including patients aged 12-71 months and their parents. Demographical data, anthropometric measurements, oral hygiene and health assessment, and children's eating habits were collected. Our findings, according to recommendations, suggest that the prevention of ECC needs to begin in infancy. Oral health providers, physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel play an important role in educating parents about their child's oral and dental care and food choices.

Hygienic investigation of the evaporative cooling system installed in air handling units

Abstract A significant portion of the total summer energy consumption of buildings is allocated to the treatment of ventilation air and cooling of spaces. One possible approach to reduce mechanical cooling energy consumption is indirect evaporative cooling. By implementing this method, the mechanical cooling energy demand of air handling units can be significantly reduced. Numerous studies and literature focus on the energy analysis of direct and indirect evaporative cooling system solutions. However, the hygiene assessment of these processes has received less attention thus far. This article presents an examination of the hygiene of evaporative cooling panels and the water used in these systems. The aim of the study is to assess the level of hygiene risk and explore potential cleaning technologies. It was shown that the applied disinfection method in this cooling system, using chemical solution flushing (in the case of 3 w/w% hydrogen peroxide solution) has proven more effective than chemical surface spraying process.

Labial frenum attachment and its association with oral hygiene status in patients reporting to a local tertiary care dental hospital

Background and Objective: The labial frenum plays an important role in providing attachment between the lip and the alveolar process and at the same time contributes significantly to the maintenance of proper oral hygiene. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the labial frenum attachment in both the upper and lower jaw and investigate its potential association with the age, gender, and oral hygiene condition among individuals presenting to a local tertiary care hospital Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore over a period of six months. A total of 360 patients were included in the study after obtaining permission from the institutional ethical review committee The labial frenum type was identified and recorded for both mandible and maxilla. The oral hygiene status was accessed using the oral hygiene index (simplified). Assessment of both frenal attachment and oral hygiene was done by the same examiner to minimize the chances of any bias. Results: Our study included a total of 360 patients with 47% (171) males and 53% (189) females. Moreover, in our study, the most common type of frenal attachment was gingival (65%), followed by mucosal (19%) and less commonly the papillary (11%) and papillary penetrating (6%) types. A strong association was observed between the frenal attachment type and oral hygiene status among our study population (P value= 0.00). Conclusion: The association of frenal attachment with oral hygiene and gender is statistically significant.

Hygienic assessment of the potential danger of exposure to fine particles and rare earth elements present in the workplace air for workers at metallurgical enterprises

Introduction. One of the main air pollutants in the working area of metallurgical enterprises is rare earth elements, which are sorbed on fine dust particles and have a negative impact on the health of workers. The study aims to carry out a comprehensive hygienic assessment of the potential health hazards of fine particles and rare earth elements (REE) contained in the air of the working area at metallurgical enterprises. Materials and methods. The specialists have took samples of the working area air to measure the content of REE, dust and industrial aerosol of small fractions, they have assessed the levels of REE in the blood of employees of the metallurgical enterprise (n=31) and the comparison group (n=12). The scientists have measured the REE content in the air of the working area and blood using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on an Agilent 7900 mass spectrometer. The authors have measured the dust content in the air of the working area in accordance with the MUK 4.1.2468-09 method and determined the content of fine fractions of industrial aerosol using the DustTrak 8533 aerosol analyzer. Results. Analysis of the metal content in the air of the working area showed an excess of control concentrations for chronic inhalation exposure to cerium. In points with a high concentration of metals, the content of industrial aerosol of a fine fraction of 10 microns prevails. During the study of the work area, experts found significantly higher concentrations in the blood of workers employed in production, compared with the comparison group. Limitations. The limitation of research is due to the period of sampling of the working area air, insufficient number of samples of the working area air and samples of biomaterial. The expansion of the list of surveyed points in production and the list of metallurgical enterprises, as well as an increase in the number of surveyed workers, may become a direction for further research to assess the impact of fine particles and rare earth elements on workers of metallurgical enterprises. Conclusion. Since higher concentrations of REE were found in the air of the work area and in the blood of workers compared to the control point/group, reducing the impact of harmful production factors of working conditions and production processes in order to preserve the health of workers remains relevant for enterprises of the metallurgical industry. Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with Ethical standards in accordance with the Ethical principles set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (ed. 2013). The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee of the Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Technologies for Public Health Risk Management of Rospotrebnadzor (meeting protocol No. 2 dated 02/11/2021).

The effect of the theory of planned behavior based hand hygiene intervention program on the health outcomes and school absenteeism of the primary school students: Quasi-experimental study.

Acute upper respiratory tract infections are the most common infections among school children. Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools is an important intervention for the healthy development of children. The most important component of this intervention is hand washing, which is the primary infection control measure. This study aims to test the effect of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) based hand hygiene intervention program on the health outcomes and school absenteeism of students. The study is quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest control groups. The study was conducted with 159 students (intervention: 82, control: 77) in two separate primary schools that were assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group were applied a TPB-based hand hygiene intervention program for the school children. The data were collected using the Student Questionnaire, Hand Hygiene Assessment Question Form, and Surveillance Form. The mean Hand Hygiene Assessment Question Form Hand Hygiene Behavior scores did not differ between the groups in the pre- and posttest (p > .05). In the posttest, the frequency of encountering a ten-week-upper respiratory tract infection symptom (U = 5277.50 p < .0001), school absenteeism days (p = .046) and absenteeism episodes (p = .043) was lower in the intervention group than in the control group. The findings suggest that was concluded that the TPB-based hand hygiene intervention program did not make a difference in creating hand hygiene behavior in school children compared to the classical education. The program was effective in reducing upper respiratory tract infections and school absenteeism due to these infections.

Порівняльна оцінка особливостей процесів формування психофізіологічної адаптації та розвитку психофізіологічних функцій організму учнів у динаміці 20-річного періоду

Objective. The aim of the scientific work is to carry out a comparative assessment of the peculiarities of the processes of the formation of psychophysiological adaptation and the development of the psychophysiological functions of the pupils in the dynamics of a 20-year period. Materials and methods. During the researches, the assessment of the functional features of higher nervous activity of pupils was based on the determination of the latent periods of simple and differentiated visual-motor reactions, indicators of the mobility and balance of nervous processes. The functional features of the visual sensory system and the somatosensory analyzer were studied on the basis of the assessment of the values of the critical frequency of the fusion of light flashes and coordination of movements. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using the statistical analysis package "Statistica 6.1" (license number AXX910A374605FA). Results. It was established that the best of the adaptively significant positions and, therefore, the smallest in accordance with the degree of expression of the value of the latent period of a simple visual-motor reaction in both boys and girls were registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2000” group. The data characteristic of the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group testified to a fairly insignificant (p&gt;0.05), but present, worsening of the degree of expression of the psychophysiological functions that were subject to study. The best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the smallest values of the latent period of the differentiated visual-motor reaction, in contrast to the previous case, both among young men and among girls are registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group. The results typical for the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group showed a small (р&gt;0.05), but pronounced. improvement in the degree of expression of psychophysiological functions in boys and a statistically significant improvement (р&lt;0.01) in their values in girls. When carrying out a hygienic assessment of the indicators of the mobility of nervous processes, in any case, it should be noted that the best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the lowest values of the number of disruptions of differentiation reactions (р&gt;0.05) were registered among the representatives of the group “pupils 2020” In the course of determining the peculiarities of the characteristics of the balance of nervous processes, it is necessary to emphasize that the best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the smallest values of errors during the study of the reaction to a moving object in young men are registered among the representatives of the group “pupils 2000” (p&gt;0.05), in girls – among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group (p&gt;0.05). The best from an adaptation-significant point of view and, therefore, the highest values of the critical frequency of the fusion of light flashes in boys and girls were registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group. Thus, the results characteristic of the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group showed a slight (р&gt;0.05), but present deterioration in the degree of expression of the specified psychophysiological function in young men and a statistically significant deterioration (р&lt;0.001) of it sizes in girls. Conclusions. In the course of the conducted research, a comparative assessment of the features of the processes of the formation of psychophysiological adaptation and the development of the psychophysiological functions of the pupils in the dynamics of the 20-year period was carried out. Keywords. Pupils, organism, psychophysiological functions, psychophysiological adaptation, hygienic assessment.

Гігієна фізичних факторів навколишнього середовища: понад 60 років досвіду й погляд у майбутнє

Objective. The objective of the work was to evaluate the main achievements and outline the prospects for hygienic rationing of physical factors in populated areas of Ukraine. Materials and methods. Scientific reports, regulatory documents, guidelines and scientific publications were studied by the method of literature analysis. Results. Systematic studies on the hygienic assessment of physical factors – electromagnetic fields, noise and vibration – in populated areas are carried out at the State Institution O.M. Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine for more than 60 years. The research is carried out in order to develop hygienic standards – the maximum permissible levels of physical factors, to develop protective measures to prevent the adverse effects of physical environmental factors on the health of the population. In recent years, some hygienic standards have been changed without conducting appropriate scientific research, some hygienic standards have not yet been developed. Conclusions. We have accumulated extensive, mostly unique, experience in performing work on hygienic regulation of physical environmental factors. With the development of technology, the levels of electromagnetic fields, noise and vibration continue to increase, which determines the priority of protecting public health from the adverse effects of these factors. Of course, the implementation of work on hygienic regulation of physical environmental factors should continue, because according to the outstanding hygienist, academician Alexander Nikitich Marzeev, whose name our scientific institution bears, the future belongs to us – to the hygiene. Keywords. Air ionization, electromagnetic fields, noise, vibration, hygienic regulation, exposure limits.

Гігієнічна оцінка основних підходів до використання діоксиду хлору на водопровідних станціях України з поверхневими джерелами питного водопостачання

The purpose of the work. Conduct a hygienic assessment of the main approaches to the use of chlorine dioxide in the water treatment technologies of water supply stations of Ukraine with surface sources of drinking water supply in order to identify and minimize potential risks to human health. Materials and methods of research. The analysis of water purification technologies used at water supply stations in Ukraine for the treatment of drinking water produced from surface sources of drinking water supply was carried out. The results of water quality studies on priority sanitary-chemical and microbiological indicators in the places of drinking water intakes and drinking water, as well as the doses of reagents used for the treatment of drinking water, during 2021-2023. A comparative analysis of the requirements for the quality of drinking water in the case of its treatment with chlorine dioxide, Directive 2020/2184/EU on the quality of water intended for human consumption, national regulations of 22 EU countries and SSRN 2.2.4-171-10 of Ukraine regarding the quality of drinking water. Methods adopted in international practice were used to assess health risks. Research methods: bibliographic, analytical, comparative assessment, sanitary-chemical, microbiological, hygienic assessment, risk assessment, mathematical and statistical. Research results and their discussion. Currently, in the context of the social and political crisis in Ukraine, chlorine dioxide is used at separate water stations in Ukraine with the purpose of: additional final disinfection; additional primary and secondary treatment along with chlorination; primary treatment of water before it enters the water supply station; complete replacement of chlorine gas with chlorine dioxide. Only at the water stations of the Dnipro city of Kyiv and Horishni Plavni city of the Poltava region, chlorine dioxide is used continuously throughout the year for the disinfection of raw water from the surface source of drinking water supply (Dnipro). At the Dnipro water station in Kyiv, the use of chlorine dioxide led to the greatest changes in the technological process of drinking water production and made it possible to ensure its epidemic safety, reduce the amount of dangerous reagents and the content of chlorination and ozonation by-products, as well as ensure the content of toxic chlorites at a level of ≤0.7 mg/l, which corresponds to the permissible human health risk (≤1.0). According to the results of mathematical modeling of the process of formation of chlorites in drinking water, it was determined that the risk of formation of chlorites in the drinking water of the distribution network of the Dnipro water station of the city of Kyiv in excess concentrations will be at the level of ≤1.0, if the total dose of chlorine dioxide is at the level of ≤3.5 mg /l, and the hygienic norm of chlorites is ≤0.2 mg/l. If the hygienic norm of chlorites is adopted at the level of ≤0.7 mg/l, then the risk of formation of excessive chlorite content in the drinking water of the distribution network will decrease by 2.5 times. The current hygienic requirements of Ukraine regarding the content of chlorites (hygienic standard ≤0.2 mg/l) and chlorine dioxide (hygienic standard ≥0.1 mg/l) in drinking water of the distribution network are the strictest compared to the requirements of EU countries and need to be revised. Conclusions. Chlorine dioxide is used in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a small (15-25 thousand m3/day) and large capacity (100-200 thousand m3/day), most often as an additional or main method of disinfecting drinking water produced from surface, discrete or continuous mode. The risk of excessive chlorite content in the drinking water of the distribution network depends on the total dose of chlorine dioxide and the effectiveness of measures to minimize it. Technologies for the production of drinking water using chlorine dioxide at the water supply station in the city of Horishni Plavni, Poltava region, which involves the use of chlorine dioxide for the treatment of raw water before it enters the water supply station, as well as at the Dnipro water station in the city of Kyiv, which involves the replacement of chlorine gas with preammonization to chlorine dioxide with ferric chloride, allow to optimize the traditional technological process and improve the quality of drinking water in the absence of potential health risks. Keywords. Drinking water, disinfection, chlorites, health risk.

Мікроелементний склад питної води при централізованому водопостачанні промислових міст Дніпропетровської області

The purpose. Ecological and hygienic assessment of the quality of drinking water at the centralized water supply of industrial cities of the Dnipropetrovsk region by the content of trace elements from the group of heavy metals. Object and research methods. The analysis of the content of trace elements from the group of heavy metals in the drinking water of industrial cities of the Dnipropetrovsk region - Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Kamianske over a 5-year period was carried out. The evaluation of the obtained data was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the current legislation on the safety and quality of drinking water in accordance with SSRN 2.2.4-171-10, international recommendations and data from the scientific literature. Results. It has been established that in the Dnipropetrovs'k region over the 5-year study period, the percentage of non-standard drinking water samples for sanitary and chemical parameters ranged from 24.4-30.6% from centralized water supply systems, and 14.5-18.4% from water supply networks. The average long-term concentrations of metals in the drinking water of the studied cities ranged from 0.0001 mg/l for mercury to 0.19 mg/l for aluminum, which meets the MAC requirements, but the maximum values of the content of individual metals in all industrial cities exceeded the hygienic regulations, most pronounced for iron, which reached 60%. At the same time, the proportion of samples exceeding the hygienic standard in some years of the study was 5-12%. In the dynamics of the study, a gradual decrease of 14.2-54.5% in the concentration of lead in drinking water in all industrial and control cities was noted (p&lt;0.05; R2= 0.51-0.78). A similar trend is also characteristic of the aluminum content in drinking water in Kryvyi Rih - a 2.5-fold decrease (p&lt;0.001; R2=0.79) during the study period. At the same time, a significant increase in the content of a number of trace elements from the group of biotic and abiotic heavy metals was found in Kamianske, in particular copper and zinc - by 2.0-2.4 times (p&lt;0.01; R2= 0.72-0.77), mercury and arsenic - by 1.3-1.9 times (p&lt;0.01; R2= 0.87-0.92). The dynamics of concentrations of other heavy metals in the drinking water of the studied cities was unreliable. The sum of the ratio of the concentrations of trace elements from the group of heavy metals belonging to hazard classes I and II according to the sanitary and toxicological limiting sign of harmfulness ranges from 1.1 to 1.9, i.e. the simultaneous presence of these metals in the drinking water of industrial cities exceeds the safe level regulated by SSRN 2.2.4-171-10. Conclusions. The results of the conducted research indicate the urgency of the problem of ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water intended for human consumption and the need for further improvement of water treatment and control methods at all levels. Keywords. Trace elements, heavy metals, drinking water, content, pollution, impact, public health.