Hygiene Standards Research Articles

The history of the fight against cholera epidemics in the Krasnodar territory in 1892 and 1910 (based on archival data)

Epidemics of a wide variety of infectious diseases were constantly recorded in Russia. Asian cholera occupied a special place among epidemic diseases. In 1892, cholera was imported into the Russian Empire through the Black Sea ports, which reached the territory of the Kuban region by the summer of the same year. In 1892, about 300 thousand people died of cholera in Russia. They still did not know how to treat this terrible disease, did not know its mechanism of spread, as well as the peculiarities of its course. The article, prepared on the basis of an analysis of documentary data from the Archive Department of the administration of the municipal formation of the city of Novorossiysk and the archival Department of the Administration of the municipal formation of the Mostovsky district, examines the cholera epidemic that swept the territories of the Kuban region in 1892 and 1910. The authors characterize the main factors that contributed to the rapid spread of infection and assess the measures that were taken to combat the disease: the implementation of anti-cholera measures organized by the authorities was greatly hampered by the lack of education, prejudices and superstitions of the vast majority of the population; representatives of the nonresident population not only did not comply with basic standards of personal hygiene, but also expressed distrust, and sometimes and hostility towards doctors. Using archival data, the authors investigate the impact of infectious diseases on the demographic indicators of these settlements.

Clinical Practice of Pre-Assembling and Storing of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Systems.

According to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) guidelines, pre-assembled and already primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems can be safely stored for up to 30 days under specific conditions. This study gives a detailed overview of existing pre-assembly practices. An anonymous online survey was conducted among chief perfusionists at German ECMO centers. Forty-four of a total of 83 ECMO centers (53%) completed the survey. Thirty-three percent do not preassemble ECMO systems. Seventy-seven percent (n = 34) reported having preassembled ECMO systems readily available (30% dry preassembly/20% wet preassembly/27% wet preassembly with circulation). Half of the participating centers (50%) reported having a standard operating procedure (SOP) and the majority (57%) of chief perfusionists expressed a need for an evidence-based SOP. A maximum storage time for wet preassembled ECMO systems is established in 88% of departments. On average, wet preassembled systems are discarded after 20 days, which is below the ELSO's safe limit of 30 days. Overall, this survey reveals a heterogeneous approach regarding the practice of provisioning preassembled ECMO systems. The demand for an evidence-based SOP for the preassembly and storing of ECMO systems becomes evident, necessitating the determination of hygienic standards, regular training, and a reliable maximum storage period.

Improving approaches to hygienic rationing of antimicrobial drugs

Introduction. Currently, the production of medicines, including those with antimicrobial properties, is expanding at chemical and pharmaceutical enterprises. However, scientific approaches to hygienic regulation of the content of specific antimicrobials in the air of the work area are not yet available. The study aims to substantiate approaches to predicting approximate safe levels of exposure (ASLE) to substances with a specific antimicrobial effect. Materials and methods. The scientists have carried out the research in two stages. The first stage is an experimental study of the single inhalation effect of an antibiotic clarithromycin at concentrations of 54.2; 25.4; 15.3; 9.1; 2.8 and 0.9 mg/m3 on mongrel female rats weighing 230–250 g. The authors have evaluated the indicators of toxic (morphological and functional parameters of the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, biochemical parameters of the liver and kidneys, as well as the composition of peripheral blood) and specific effects (qualitative and quantitative composition of the microbiota of the large intestine of rats). The second stage was the analysis of the database on hygienic rationing of chemicals, which consisted in searching for hygienic standards (ASLE, MPC), threshold concentrations for the general toxic (Limint) and specific (Limbact) effects of antimicrobials. Results. During the experiment, experts have established the threshold of acute inhalation exposure (Limac int) of clarithromycin at a concentration of 25.4 mg/m3 according to the total toxic effects (peripheral blood counts, liver and kidney function). When exposed to an antibiotic at a concentration of 2.8 mg/m3, there was an imbalance of the intestinal microflora in the absence of a general toxic effect, which indicated a specific and selective antimicrobial effect of the drug. Based on the analysis of literature data, the parameters of toxicometry of 21 substances with antimicrobial effect were determined, their representative sample was justified and its regression analysis was carried out. Conclusion. Based on experimental and literary data, the authors established a significantly strong correlation (r=0.729) between the values of MPC (ASLE) and the threshold of antimicrobial action (Limbact). They also developed a mathematical equation to predict safe levels of antimicrobials based on their specific and selective activity.

PROBLEMS OF RATIONING THE CONTENT OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS IN SOILS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICE

Ratuioning of the content of hazardous substances in soil as an object of environmental protection in the Russian Federation is provided by a set of normative acts establishing the principles of assessment, approaches to the use of soils of varying degrees of anthropogenic transformation, the level of their pollution, at which the responsibility of the land user for violation of legislation on soil protection occurs. The analysis of normative acts shows that the most stringent pollution regulation system has been established in Russia, which is based on determining the compliance of the content of chemical elements and compounds in soils with sanitary and hygienic standards in the territories of settlements and agricultural lands. On other lands, as a standard, the excess of which leads to the onset of economic responsibility for pollution, the value of the concentration of the pollutant in the adjacent territory of a similar purpose and type of use, which is not adversely affected by a specific type of violation, is applied. At the same time, chemical elements and compounds are considered as pollutants, regardless of their origin, degree of danger and biological significance. The application of this approach within the framework of law enforcement practice creates significant problems in establishing the fact of negative impact, calculating the amount of damage from pollution, and developing measures for soil remediation. Thus, the current regulations consider as pollutants substances of natural origin, including those that ensure soil fertility and are applied with mineral and organic fertilizers. The use of the background level of substances as the maximum permissible value does not take into account the natural variability of elements and compounds in soils, as well as the errors of their chemical analysis. The excessive rigidity of the applicable standards is the reason for the increased costs of soil remediation measures. The way out of this situation is to revise the rationing system, taking into account the biological significance of elements and compounds, and the need to introduce a multi-level system of soil quality indicators. There is a need to improve the conceptual framework as part of regulatory documents on soil protection.

Visualization of Effectiveness: The Use of a Set of Colored Cleaning Wipes for Visible Disinfection of Ultrasound Probes

The German health authorities’ guidelines for medical devices in 2012 highlighted the importance of cleaning ultrasound probes, emphasizing their validation and reliability. In addition to automated and validated options, alternative manual methods such as wipe disinfection have gained traction due to their independence from additional hardware. The study examines the effectiveness of a manual cleaning process using wipes, addressing concerns raised by the Robert Koch Institute regarding the lack of validation for wipe disinfection of semi-critical devices. The EQUINOS colored wipe disinfection kit identified wetting gaps in all cleanings across four probes tested. The results indicate significant challenges in ensuring complete surface wetting, particularly in complex device parts such as clip-on areas and fixtures for additional biopsy attachments, suggesting that manual methods alone may not adequately mitigate the risk of infection transmission (p value < 0.0001). The study concludes that while manual disinfection methods are a commonly used alternative to automated reprocessing, there is a critical need for enhanced training and potentially the development of more effective manual disinfection techniques or colored wipes to ensure patient safety and compliance with healthcare hygiene standards.

Effect of feeds and hygienic practices on milk production and its nutritional and microbiological quality

Abstract The review emphasizes that factors such as feed type, diet composition, and hygiene standards during milking significantly impact milk yield, composition, and microbial population. A comprehensive methodology was employed to gather relevant literature from diverse sources, including textbooks, academic journals, and databases. The review focused on research articles investigating the impact of feed type and nutrients on dairy cattle milk yield, and quality. The search terms used to organize this article were breed, feed, hygienic practices, sources of microorganisms, and milk production, and by synthesizing findings from these studies; key factors influencing milk production and quality were identified. The review highlights the significance of breed selection, feeding practices, and hygienic measures in dairy farming. Optimizing these factors can enhance milk production, nutritional quality, and microbial safety, ensuring the delivery of high-quality milk to consumers. Overall, the review provides valuable insights into the relationship between animal breed, nutrition, and hygiene practices in dairy cattle production.

Prevention regulatory focus, desired cultural tightness, civic moral disengagement, and emotional reactions to normative daily transgressions: a serial mediation model among adults in Italy.

Why do people have positive or indifferent reactions to norm violations? The present research hypothesized that individuals who focus on the avoidance of negative outcomes, for example punishments for rule violations, (i.e., a prevention focus) are hypothesized to also have a desire for rigid and clear norms (i.e., desired cultural tightness) as well as punishments for norm violations. Such norms and punishments narrow accepted behavior and, if clearly communicated, can limit rule violations. Consequently, individuals who desire higher levels of cultural tightness should be less likely to justify poor citizenship behavior (i.e., civic moral disengagement) as this behavior is antithetical to desired cultural tightness. Finally, such individuals should also be more likely to react negatively to norm violations. Data for the present study was conducted in Italy. A total of 1,181 participants were included in the analysis; participation requirements were that they be adults who were residents of Italy. Participants completed self-report measures of the prevention focus, desired cultural tightness, civic moral disengagement, and reactions to general norm violations (e.g., exceeding the speed limit, vandalism). The hypothesized serial mediation model was supported. This model can help explain why individuals can fail to react to "everyday" norm violations, as well societal-level violations (e.g., failing to respect hygienic standards during the COVID pandemic). It also calls on the need to develop mass communication approaches that can influence individuals' prevention focus on a large scale, as this can have downstream effects of reactions to such violations.

HUBUNGAN PERSONAL HYGIENE IBU MENYUSUI DENGAN TINGKAT KEJADIAN DIARE PADA BAYI DI KELURAHAN SITIREJO 1 MEDAN KOTA

Diarrhea is a change in the shape and consistency of stools that are soft to liquid, defecate more than usual, namely 3 or more times a day. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years and kills around 760,000 children every year. Based on the percentage distribution of mortality in the world, diarrhea is still the main cause of death in infants by 15%. This type of research was an observational district with a cross-sectional approach which was carried out for 6 months starting from February in 2023. It was carried out in the Sitirejo 1 sub-district area of ​​Medan Kota. The sampling method used was using the Lemeshow and Iwanda formulas, so a sample of 51 breastfeeding mothers used univariate and bivariate analysis. The results showed that the age of most breastfeeding mothers was 21-30 years old 72.5%, at work the most respondents were housewives 58.8% of respondents and the most recent education was elementary school as many as 43.1% of respondents. In the cleanliness of the mother's nipples, 43 respondents (84.3%) were in the unclean category and produced a p=value of 0.001, in the mother's hand washing habits, 38 respondents (74.5%) did not wash their hands with a p=value of 0.013, 41 respondents (80.4%) opened baby clothes in the open category with a p=value of 0.027, 42 respondents (82.4%) opened baby food storage areas with a p=value of 0. 013, the cleanliness of the floor is included in the category of unclean as many as 39 respondents (76.5%) with a p=value of 0.011. So it can be concluded that the cleanliness of the mother's nipples, the place for storing baby clothes, the place for storing baby food and the cleanliness of the floor has a relationship with the incidence of diarrhea, therefore it is necessary to provide counseling, training and supervision that meets the mother's personal hygiene standards.

Clinical study of antibacterial medical textiles containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers for reduction of hospital-acquired infections

The prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections remain a significantchallenge worldwide, as textiles used in hospital wards are highly involved in transmission processes. This paper reports a new antibacterial medical fabric used to prepare hospital pillowcases, bottom sheets and quilt covers for controlling and reducing hospital-acquired infections. The medical fabric was composed of blended yarns of staple polyester (PET) and degradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/polylactic acid (PLA) fibres, which were coated with polylactide oligomers (PLAO), which are environmentally friendly and safe antimicrobial agents with excellent thermal stability in high-temperature laundry. A clinical trial was conducted, with emphasis on the bacterial species that were closely related to the infection cases in the study hospital. After 7 days of use, 94% of PET/PHBV/PLA-PLAO fabric retained <20colony-forming units/100cm2 of the total bacterial amount, meeting hygiene and cleanliness standards. This study demonstrates the potential of fabrics containing polyhydroxyalkanoate oligomers as highly effective, safe and long-lasting antimicrobial medical textiles that can effectively reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.

A Compliance Return Method to Evaluate Different Approaches to Implementing Regulations: The Example of Food Hygiene Standards

Abstract We investigate how different approaches to the implementation of regulations affect compliance by evaluating the implementation of food hygiene standards in four English authorities. We draw upon regulatory theory in general together with specific literature on food hygiene standards to advance a new “compliance return” concept, which enables compliance outcomes and resource inputs to be considered jointly. We operationalize “compliance return” as part of a low-cost methodology for evaluating the relative effectiveness of different approaches to implementing food hygiene standards. We find that different approaches to implementation have significant impacts on food policy outcomes. Specifically, implementation ranged from a greater emphasis on deterrence to a greater emphasis on cooperation, with cooperation resulting in greater compliance and deterrence requiring less resource input. When compliance level is considered alongside resource input, to assess the overall “compliance return,” a stronger case emerges for a deterrence approach. The food policy implications are two-fold: (i) implementation affects policy outcomes, and (ii) the measure of “compliance return” developed and implemented in this article offers a low-cost approach to support the ex-post evaluation of implementation choices. The Compliance Return approach may be applicable more widely, especially where there is discretion regarding how regulations are to be implemented.

Research on Online Review Information Classification Based on Multimodal Deep Learning

The incessant evolution of online platforms has ushered in a multitude of shopping modalities. Within the food industry, however, assessing the delectability of meals can only be tentatively determined based on consumer feedback encompassing aspects such as taste, pricing, packaging, service quality, delivery timeliness, hygiene standards, and environmental considerations. Traditional text data mining techniques primarily focus on consumers’ emotional traits, disregarding pertinent information pertaining to the online products themselves. In light of these aforementioned issues in current research methodologies, this paper introduces the Bert BiGRU Softmax model combined with multimodal features to enhance the efficacy of sentiment classification in data analysis. Comparative experiments conducted using existing data demonstrate that the accuracy rate of the model employed in this study reaches 90.9%. In comparison to single models or combinations of three models with the highest accuracy rate of 7.7%, the proposed model exhibits superior accuracy and proves to be highly applicable to online reviews.

Detection and antibiogram of bacterial contaminants in some commonly consumed indigenous street vended foods in Kasua Central Market in Kaduna North, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Some indigenous ready-to-eat foods, due to its affordability and availability serve as a major alternative to restaurants and high profiled eateries in developing countries. The hygiene standard of these foods is a critical point that needs to be considered due to microbial contamination by potential pathogens. A triplicate of three different food samples: Fura, Nunu, and Tuwo were collected and analysed to determine their microbiological safety. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard methods while antibiotic sensitivity test and multiple drug resistance pattern were carried out. The isolated bacteria: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella 100yphi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter sp. While fungal isolates include: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus. oryzae and Penicillium sp. Salmonella sp. was observed to be resistant to 70% of the antibiotics while both Klebsiella sp. And Enterobacter sp. exhibited resistance to 60% of the tested antibiotics. S. aureus had the least resistance to about 30% of the tested Gram-positive antibiotics. Out of all the tested antibiotics, only Tarivid was observed to be effective against all the Gram-negative bacterial isolates, while Reflacine and Ciprofloxacine were effective against 80% of them. The presence of coliform bacteria in the sampled foods raise a great concern about the safety of the street vended foods in the sampled region in Nigeria. The microbiologically low quality of the vended ready-to-eat foods assayed in this study might have resulted from a relatively low level of hygiene observed by the vendors, as well as absence of regulatory body or hygiene codes to guide the street food vendors. From the results of this study, efforts should be intensified by all concerned to make sure that the safety of people remains paramount in the ways the vended foods are produced and distributed.

Production of fish feed by the aquaponic method

Aquaponics is one of the most efficient agricultural production systems; however, there is limited data on its level of effectiveness. The purpose of the research was to study the germination of wheat grain as aquaponic food for herbivorous fish in an aquaponic installation. The experimental production of aquaponic food for herbivorous fish grown in polyculture (carp, grass carp, black carp, silver carp) was studied by the method of wheat grain germination. In an aquaponic device, you can not only grow plants, but also germinate their seeds before planting in the ground. Water is saturated with oxygen due to continuous flow (3.5% more than in a pool without an aquaponic device). This is a positive factor for the growth of fish and energy savings while reducing the duration of the oxygen generators. In addition, the use of an aquaponic device provides favorable conditions for growing plants and fish with a significant reduction in the cost of installation of structures and a decrease in the cost of its operation. An increase in the germination of wheat grain during its germination in an aquaponic installation by 2.0% was established; increase in the length of sprouts during germination - by 27.5%; root length - by 32.2%; increase in the content of crude protein – by 2.2%; vitamin B2 - by 6.1%; carotene – by 4.6%. Hydroponic feed safety indicators were within the limits of sanitary and hygienic standards. The results of this study for the production of hydroponic feed for herbivorous fish directly in the fish farm show that in the production of valuable fortified vegetable environmentally safe feed, it is advisable to use the aquaponic method using water saturated with nutrients.

Analysis of Microbiological Hazards in Turmeric Tamarind Traditional Drink Products

Turmeric tamarind is a traditional drink with a sour and sweet taste traditionally made on a household scale. This drink is popular among the community, students, and local tourists from various regions visiting Yogyakarta. Due to its relatively simple production process and potentially suboptimal hygiene standards, the risk of bacterial contamination remains a concern for public health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the presence or absence of bacterial contaminants, namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp and Staphylococcus aureus according to SNI 2019 standards. Samples were obtained from 11 locations of turmeric tamarind drink sales and inoculated into Chromocult Coliform Agar (CCA) differential selective medium, Salmonella Sigella Agar (SSA), and Baird Parker Agar (BPA) for E. coli isolation, Salmonella sp, and S. aureus, respectively. Subsequently, colonies were prified and screened through biochemical tests such as IMViC, Urease test, and sugar fermentation test for lactose, maltose, and glucose. Suspected isolates were also confirmed using API 20E and API STAPH tests. The results showed that E. coli, Salmonella sp, and S. aureus were not reported while Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumoniae 1, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus lentus were obtained.

Treatment Options and the Management of Complications in Hydatid Cysts of the Liver in Endemic Regions.

Hydatid cyst of the liver induced by Echinococcus granulosus is a pervasive zoonotic disease in our region. Its incidence varies across age groups, contingent on community lifespans and hygiene standards. Therapeutic modalities include Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Re-aspiration (PAIR), and surgery. Due the limited feasability of PAIR, we suggest that surgery represents the optimal treatment in all stages, especially in endemic regions, depending on patient-specific variables. Patients with hydatid cyst of the liver treated with PAIR and surgery in our center between January 2016 and January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. PAIR or cystectomy were applied in treatment. These were then compared in terms of efficacy, feasibility, and complications. A single hydatid cyst of the liver was detected in 184 of the 225 cases, two cysts in 33, and three or more cysts in eight. The largest cyst diameter was 233 × 124 mm in the surgery group and 100 × 90 mm in the PAIR group. One hundred thirty-three of the 225 patients underwent open surgery, and no recurrence was encountered in these. However, recurrence was observed 19 patients treated with PAIR. Allergic reaction developed in one case during surgery, postoperative abscess in two cases, biliary fistula in five, and pneumonia in one. Surgical treatment should represent the standard procedure since it is safe and effective, ensures complete elimination of the parasite, involves no intraoperative shedding, preserves healthy tissues, and minimizes the risk of long-term recurrence and cavity-related complications.

Occurrence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and resistance genes of Staphylococcus aureus in milk and milk products in the Arsi highlands of Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, milk production and handling practices often lack proper hygiene measures, leading to the potential contamination of milk and milk products with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-resistant strains,posing significant public health concerns. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and presence of resistance genes in S. aureus strains isolated from milk and milk products. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Arsi highlands, Oromia, Ethiopia from March 2022 to February 2023. A total of 503 milk and milk product samples were collected, comprising 259 raw milk, 219 cottage cheese, and 25 traditional yogurt samples. S. aureus isolation and coagulase-positive staphylococci enumeration were performed using Baird-Parker agar supplemented with tellurite and egg yolk. S. aureus was further characterized based on colony morphology, Gram stain, mannitol fermentation, catalase test, and coagulase test. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, while the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for confirming the presence of S. aureus and detecting antimicrobial resistance genes. S. aureus was detected in 24.9% of the milk and milk products, with the highest occurrence in raw milk (40.9%), followed by yogurt (20%), and cottage cheese (6.4%). The geometric mean for coagulase-positive staphylococci counts in raw milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese was 4.6, 3.8, and 3.2 log10 CFU/mL, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance analysis revealed high levels of resistance to ampicillin (89.7%) and penicillin G (87.2%), with 71.8% of the isolates demonstrating multidrug resistance. Of the 16 S. aureus isolates analyzed using PCR, all were found to carry the nuc gene, with the mecA and blaZ genes detected in 50% of these isolates each. This study revealed the widespread distribution of S. aureus in milk and milk products in the Arsi highlands of Ethiopia. The isolates displayed high resistance to ampicillin and penicillin, with a concerning level of multidrug resistance. The detection of the mecA and blaZ genes in selected isolates is of particular concern, highlighting a potential public health hazard and posing a challenge to effective antimicrobial treatment. These findings highlight the urgent need to enhance hygiene standards in milk and milk product handling and promote the rational use of antimicrobial drugs. Provision of adequate training for all individuals involved in the dairy sector can help minimize contamination. These measures are crucial in addressing the threats posed by S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains, and ensuring the safety of milk and its products for consumers.

Machine learning for public wellness: optimizing hygiene practices and pollution monitoring in smart cities

Introduction. Public health in urban areas is of paramount importance, particularly in the context of smart cities where technology plays a vital role. The integration of sophisticated infrastructure and data-driven systems in smart cities has the potential to significantly enhance public health outcomes. This improvement hinges on optimizing various factors, especially in the realms of hygiene standards and pollution monitoring. The ability to adhere to stringent hygiene procedures and closely monitor pollutants is essential for mitigating health risks in densely populated urban environments. As metropolitan areas become increasingly complex, there is a pressing need to prioritize the optimization of these processes.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. To address the challenges associated with public health optimization in smart cities, this study introduces Optimized Public Wellness using Machine Learning (OPWML). OPWML employs advanced machine learning techniques to augment hygiene protocols and pollution surveillance in smart urban areas. The proposed approach incorporates real-time validation, enhanced data-collecting efficiency, intelligent intervention impact, and increased throughput. The methodology aims to streamline processes and overcome the limitations of current approaches, providing more precise and prompt outcomes.&#x0D; Results. Simulation findings demonstrate the superior performance of OPWML compared to other methods. The average estimate accuracy achieved by OPWML is 86.76%, showcasing its efficacy in delivering accurate results. Real-time validation latency is notably low at 12.99 ms, indicating the system’s responsiveness. With a data collection efficiency of 22.96 GB/hour, OPWML demonstrates its ability to efficiently gather relevant data. The smart intervention impact of 33.20% underscores the system’s effectiveness in implementing intelligent interventions. Additionally, the throughput of 314.67 kbps signifies the high processing capacity of OPWML.&#x0D; Limitations. While OPWML exhibits promising results, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations in this study. The simulation-based nature of the findings may not fully capture real-world complexities. Additionally, the generalizability of the results to diverse urban contexts requires further investigation. Limitations such as data privacy concerns and potential technological barriers should also be considered when implementing OPWML in practical settings.&#x0D; Conclusion. In conclusion, Optimized Public Wellness using Machine Learning (OPWML) emerges as a powerful tool for transforming public health processes in smart cities. The study highlights OPWML’s capacity to significantly enhance hygiene protocols and pollution surveillance, ensuring a healthier and environmentally sustainable urban setting. While acknowledging certain study limitations, the overall outcomes emphasize the potential of OPWML in revolutionizing public health practices and contributing to the well-being of urban populations in the era of smart cities.

Comprehensive hygienic assessment of ambient air pollution in the area of food and processing industry enterprises’ location

The purpose of the study is to assess atmospheric air pollution in a city where food and processing enterprises operate using a complex of instrumental, olfacto-odourimetric, calculated, and survey methods.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Analytical studies of ambient air pollution were performed using the FOCUS GC-DSQ-II chromatography-mass spectrometer. Olfacto-odourimetric studies of the presence and intensity of odour in the area of the enterprises were carried out in accordance with the method of organoleptic control downwind at various distances from sources. The measurement of the odour level at the discharge of the coffee extract spray dryer was carried out by dynamic olfactometry on the ECOMA TO-8 olfactometer. The calculation of odour dispersion was implemented according to a program using a methodology for calculating concentrations of harmful substances in ambient air.&#x0D; Results. It was established that at the time of the research, the source of a persistent specific odour reaching the residential area was a coffee production enterprise. Up to seventy eight volatile organic compounds in concentrations not exceeding hygienic standards have been identified in the ambient air in the area of the enterprise’s location. Field olfacto-odorimetric studies and the conducted dispersion calculation indicate an offensive odour to be capable of causing “annoyance” to the population (3 points or higher with a probability of ≥ 5% according to the results of field studies or ≥ 3.5 OU (odour units) according to the calculation results) spreads up to 4 km from the main source of emissions.&#x0D; Limitations. The main limitation of the study is the peculiarities of the operating mode of different enterprises, which makes it difficult to fully assess the environmental situation in the area of their location at the time of the research.&#x0D; Conclusion. The results of these studies indicate the use of various methodological approaches (field olfacto-odorimetric measurements, calculation of odour dispersion), along with conducting population surveys, to significantly expand the possibilities of instrumental analysis for an objective assessment of ambient air pollution by complex multicomponent mixtures of odorous substances.

On the issue of resolving disputes about the compliance of the research object with regulatory requirements

Conclusions on the fulfillment or violation of regulatory requirements ensuring the hygienic safety of the research object of the supervised object are carried out by state sanitary and epidemiological supervision bodies based on the results of laboratory studies of controlled indicators. These are, in particular, conclusions on the safety of drinking water sources for the population. The composition and properties of this water, on the instructions of sanitary and epidemiological supervision bodies and water supply institutions, can be examined equally by accredited laboratories that comply with the accreditation criteria in carrying out their activities. At the same time, unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee the same results of laboratory testing of controlled microbiological, chemical, and other indicators, due to their variability and measurement errors. As a result, the conclusions about the quality and safety of water obtained by the supervisory authority and the supplier (user), primarily in cases concerning the boundary values of hygiene standards, may differ. For constructive resolution of controversial situations arising in this case, this paper proposes a method of tolerance control, the result of which is a logical judgment on the compliance or non-compliance of controlled quantities with established standards. It is shown how this reduces the risk of erroneous recognition of non-compliance of the composition or properties of water with hygienic requirements and guarantees safe water supply to the population. Authors suggested equations of admission control to assess compliance with the requirements of sanitary, epidemiological, and hygienic safety of controlled facilities. A method convenient for practical use is proposed, and using a specific example of monitoring the water quality of wells in the Talitsky district of the Sverdlovsk region, it is shown how it is possible to establish the water safety of almost half of the initially rejected water sources. The use of tolerance control is recommended if it is necessary to increase the reliability of hygienic conclusions on the safety of a wide range of supervised facilities, for which convenient mathematical expressions are given.

The danger of infrared laser radiation to the organ of vision

Introduction. The article tells about the widespread use of infrared lasers in the fields of human activity. The constantly increasing power of laser installations leads to an increased risk to the health of large groups of workers. Current hygiene standards do not provide adequate eye protection from the harmful effects of this factor.&#x0D; The study aims are a scientific justification for improving the maximum permissible level (MPL) of infrared laser radiation.&#x0D; Materials and methods. To generalize and systematize the results of experimental studies and mathematical modeling to determine the threshold values of the harmful effects of infrared laser radiation on eyeball tissue, the authors used analytical methods.&#x0D; Results. Far infrared laser radiation can pose a danger not only to the cornea, but also to the retina. One of the important indicators affecting the depth of penetration of laser radiation into the structures of the eye and the severity of lesions is the absorption coefficient of the medium. Based on mathematical modeling of the thermochemical destruction of eye tissues, the researchers determined the threshold values of the harmful effects of far-infrared laser radiation, confirmed by the results of experimental studies. The scientists justified the need to introduce a higher coefficient of hygienic reserve in determining the maximum permissible level and recommended new proposals for the hygienic regulation of far-infrared laser radiation.&#x0D; Conclusion. The introduction of new maximum permissible levels will provide more reliable eye protection from far infrared laser radiation.&#x0D; Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.