Vol 101, No 5 (2022)
- Year: 2022
- Published: 07.06.2022
- Articles: 20
- URL: https://ruspoj.com/0016-9900/issue/view/9626
ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE
Problems of developing methodological approaches and recommendations for substantiating hygienic standards of chemicals in soil
Abstract
Hygienic rationing of chemicals in the soil is an important and integral part of monitoring the condition of the soil. The article is devoted to the problems of creating a draft of new methodological recommendations, which reflects modern approaches to the regulation of chemicals in the soil. In the course of work on improving the document, a range of necessary issues has been identified. It is recommended to include additional evaluation criteria in the methodology of standardization of chemicals in the soil, taking into account the agreed physico-chemical analysis and determination of the toxicity of substances. To ensure chemical safety, it is shown to be advisable to use three types of analysis: review for the identification of components, multi-purpose screening for confirmation and semi-quantitative evaluation of the object of analysis and quantitative evaluation using a validated procedure. The draft document addresses the issues of rationing, taking into account the functional zoning of territories. According the sections of the “Methodological recommendations on the hygienic justification of the MPC of chemicals in the soil”, analytical work was carried out to update current trends in the areas of the issues raised. The paper considers the current principles of rationing the content of chemical elements in soils, which have many specific features. The analysis of normative and methodological documents, including international ones, regulating methods of research of chemicals in soil, their transformation, migration, methods of biotesting and bioindication of soils. Based on the results of the work, it can be concluded that for urban soils belonging to different functional zones, it is necessary to apply different estimated indicators for substantiating the MPC of pollutants in the soil. Russian studies on the establishment of normative values for assessing soil quality can be interpreted in the context of international approaches to the assessment of territories.
Contribution:
Ushakova O.V. — concept and design of research, text writing, material collection and data processing.
Evseeva I.S. — text writing, material collection and data processing, editing.
Vodianova M.A. — research concept and design, text writing, material collection and data processing, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 29, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
474-478
Barrier role of wastewater treatment in wastewater disinfection with respect to E.Coli, generalized and total coliform bacteria
Abstract
Introduction. The work is devoted to the evaluation of the results of own studies of sanitary and microbiological pollution of wastewater in the cities of Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Azov, Tsimlyansk and the analysis of literature data to justify the list of priority controlled sanitary and microbiological indicators of the safety of decontaminated wastewater that can be discharged into surface water bodies.
Materials and methods. Wastewater was studied before and after entering the treatment plant over a 3-year period, including the determination of generalized and total coliform bacteria, sanitary indicative microorganisms, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella and their identification using the MALDI-TOF method and biochemical and serological properties.
Results. The sewage waters of the studied cities entering the treatment facilities have a high degree of contamination by generalized and common coliform bacteria, salmonella, the intensity of pollution for which was within acceptable limits at the stage of discharge into surface water bodies according to SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. The number of generalized coliform bacteria exceeded the number of general coliform bacteria, both entering for disinfection and at the stages of purification and entry into surface waters, and their correlation with potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPB) and pathogenic salmonella, in contrast to total (lactose-positive) coliform bacteria, was revealed.
Limitations. In the framework of the study, all isolated strains were identified and stored for the study of biological, genetic properties, taking into account the stages of purification, which will be the subject of further research.
Conclusion. The index of generalized coliform bacteria retained its indicator significance in relation to pathogenic bacteria Salmonella spp. and made it possible to adequately assess the levels of bacterial contamination of wastewater. At the same time, the economic costs of determining the indicator of generalized bacteria do not differ from the costs of determining the indicators of common coliform bacteria and E. coli. Therefore, for the most adequate assessment of the disinfection of wastewater from treatment facilities, it is advisable to use generalized coliform bacteria as an integral indicator of Enterobacteriales bacteria.
Contribution:
Zagainova A.V. — research concept and design, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Zhuravlev P.V. — study concept and design, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Morozova M.A. — statistical processing.
Sedova D.A. — statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Gritsyuk O.V. — collection of material.
Pankova M.N., Fedets Z.E. — collection and processing of material.
Novozhilov K.A. — collection of material.
Yudin S.M. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Acknowledgment. The research was carried out within the framework of the research work “Development of unified methods, including sampling, for the determination of microbiological and parasitological contamination of wastewater” (code “Wastewater”) No. 145.001.21.6 dated 12.11.2021.
Received: March 1, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
479-486
Hygienic assessment of polyurethane coatings in the practice of drinking water supply
Abstract
Introduction. For many years, two-component polyurethane coatings have been used as suitable systems for the protection and reconstruction of pipes in the practice of domestic drinking water supply. However, polyurethane can be a source of pollutants entering drinking water. Special attention in the hygienic assessment is paid to the main components of plastic, the released solvents and film-forming agents used in the formulation of the material. However, the definition of only priority components (taking into account Uniform sanitary requirements) does not provide complete information about the chemical stability of polymer materials during the hygienic assessment.
Materials and methods. Eight different two-component polyurethane coatings of various manufacturers and manufacturers offered for use in drinking water supply are investigated in the work. The evaluation of these samples was carried out taking into account Uniform requirements (2010). Indicators that are not mandatory for the evaluation of polymer materials used in drinking water supply were also investigated.
Results. Conducting a hygienic assessment of two-component polyurethane coatings shows fundamentally different chemicals to migrate into the model environment even from materials with the same type of components. When analyzing water extracts, from 9 to 40 organic compounds were identified at different temperatures. Most of them do not have the maximum permissible levels of their content in drinking water and there are no fully conducted toxicological studies of these chemicals to assess their safety for humans. There also were found three samples, from which inorganic components of cadmium and nickel migrated into distilled water above their maximum permissible values.
Limitations. This study was conducted on the example of polyurethane coatings, as a particular example of the use of polymer materials in drinking water supply. It is necessary to conduct similar studies on other groups of polymers.
Conclusion. At the moment, there are certain contradictions in the methodology and approaches to assessing the migration of chemicals from polymer coatings to drinking water. Therefore, their refinement and standardization is relevant, taking into account the increasing share of the use of polymer materials in human life.
Contribution:
Alekseeva A.V. — the concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data, editing.
Savostikova O.N. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 13, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
487-492
Integral assessment of drinking water from underground sources of the Salgir river basin
Abstract
Introduction. Most of the steppe zone of Crimea has a shortage of surface water resources. Therefore, groundwater is used for drinking water supply. Over the past few decades, the growth of anthropogenic activities has led to its widespread pollution. The daily use of water that doesn’t meet the standards can have a negative impact on the health of local residents. The problem of satisfying the population with water that is harmless in its chemical composition makes it necessary to conduct studies to assess its quality and determine the risk to public health according to the regulatory documents in force to develop measures to bring their quality composition to the normative level.
The purpose of the study is to assess the risk to the health of the population from pollutants of underground water sources contained in drinking water located in the Salgir river basin.
Materials and methods. This work presents the results of the study of the groundwater quality. The samples were extracted in the Salgir river basin. The study was based on the testing of health risk calculations set forth in P 2.1.10.1920-04 and MR 2.1.4.0032-11. The initial data were information on the results of chemical analyses of groundwater for 2018 and 2019.
Results. As a result of the calculation of olfactory-reflex and non-carcinogenic risks of one hundred seventy eight drinking water sources, as well as calculation of an integral indicator characterizing the dangerous impact of water on health, the most significant role in the formation of organoleptic effects was revealed to be provided by the smell of water and its stiffness, and non-carcinogenic — by nitrates and in one case by boron.
Limitations. Firstly, a carcinogenic risk assessment was not carried out due to the lack of data on toxic components (arsenic, cadmium, lead and others) in water. Secondly, not all settlements located in the Salgir river basin are included in the study, because of the lack of data on the quality of groundwater for these villages.
Conclusion. The calculated values of integral indicators, combining these risks, made it possible to assess the quality of water in each water intake and the most significant harmful effects of damage to the organs and systems of the human body. The method used to assess the safety of drinking water makes it possible to develop measures to increase the efficiency of its post-treatment before supplying it to the consumer.
Contribution:
Ivanyutin N.M. — the concept and design of the study; writing a text, collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.
Podovalova S.V. — collection and processing of material, writing a text, approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.
Dzhaparova A.M. — collection and processing of material.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study was carried out within the framework of the state theme of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, reg. number: FNZW-2022-0002.The study had no sponsorship.
Received: December 21, 2021 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
493-502
PCR analysis of the presence of virulent genes E. coli isolates from external environmental in comparison with isolates from feces of healthy people and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases
Abstract
Introduction. Pathogenic Escherichia coli presents a real threat to human health. One of the ways of transmission of these isolates is via environmental water sources. Therefore, evaluation of pathogenic potential of E. coli population in water is of great interest.
Purpose of the study was to compare E. coli isolates from wells, sewers, water pools and surface waters with two control groups — “non-pathogenic” isolates from feces of healthy people and “potentially pathogenic” from feces of people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Materials and methods. PCR-assay was used to detect potential virulence genes. 19 E. coli virulence genes were analyzed: 11 toxins, 5 adhesion and invasion proteins and 2 diarrhogenic serotypes. The PCR identification of carbapenemase genes and various E. coli pathotypes was performed with the commercial “Amplisense” kits according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The assay was performed on 47 E. coli isolates from water environmental sources (WES), 44 isolates from feces of “practically healthy” people, 43 isolates from feces from IBD patients.
Results. Isolates from WES were found to be similar to the group of isolates from healthy people. Only 2 types of virulence E. coli were detected in these groups – toxins CNF1 and 2 and invasin einv. IBD group of isolates demonstrated striking difference from the others. Only IBD isolates demonstrated such genes as adhesion regulator aggR, invasive antigen ipaH, hemolysin hly and antibiotic resistance gene NDM. CNF1 gene was found in IBD group significantly more often, than in two other groups. The only pathotype detected in the samples analyzed, enteroaggregative, was limited to the IBD group, too.
Limitations. To compare the pathogenetic potential of E. coli from human feces and environment, 134 isolates were tested for 19 pathogenic genetic determinants, which is a representative selection. Within the analysis, we were unable to compare bacterial pathogenic potential from various environmental sources (surface waters and sewage, treatment facilities etc.) due to the uneven representation of these objects in the selection. It will be the subject of our future studies.
Conclusion. Pathogenic potential of E. coli isolates from environmental water sources was close to that from healthy human feces.
Contribution:
Pay G.V. — research concept and design, experimental work, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Rakitina D.V. — performing experimental work, writing a text, editing.
Pankova M.N., Fedez Z.E. — collection and processing of material, isolation of isolates and sowing of crops.
Maniya T.R., Zagainova A.V., Yudin S.M. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The research was carried out within the framework of the research work “Development of technologies for cryopreservation and archiving of biological samples of human microecological resources (code“Cryobank”)” No. АААА-А18-118020590091-2, “Development of unified methods, including sampling, for the determination of microbiological and parasitological contamination of wastewater” (code “Wastewater”) No. АААА-А21-121011190012-3.
Received: March 1, 2022 / Accepted: April 21, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
503-510
Monitoring of chemical and biological composition of bottom silt (literature review)
Abstract
The work is devoted to the study of the formation of bottom sediments and silt, their impact on the state of aquatic ecosystems, effective research methods and their practical application. Due to the continuous anthropogenic load, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants constantly accumulate in the silt and bottom formations. They undergo various chemical processes that can produce compounds that are even more toxic. The accumulation of this complex of pollutants subsequently becomes a source of secondary pollution, affecting the quality of water in reservoirs, reducing the species diversity of aquatic organisms and, through migration and movement along food chains, negatively affecting the condition of plants, animals and people, ultimately violating the processes of self-purification. Silt and bottom sediments thus become indicators of water pollution. On secondary deposits, biological processes are inhibited, anaerobic conditions arise, acidity increases, which contributes to the constant release and entry of harmful gases into the atmosphere. One of the main consequences of this process is the greenhouse effect and the violation of the heat balance. One of the ways to monitor bottom sediments is bio testing. In this method, crustaceans are chosen as test organisms because of their sensitivity to pollution, wide distribution. Bio testing can be used as an independent method for assessing the state of aquatic ecosystems, and in their integral assessment. Now in Russia there is no system for assessing the quality of bottom sediments, which greatly complicates the assessment of the state of surface water bodies and the prediction of negative processes. Thus, data on the composition of pollutants in silt and bottom sediments are not applicable for ecological characterization. Therefore, it seems necessary to create a unified methodology and establish interdepartmental communication of specialists in order to fully assess the pollution of water bodies and respond in time to threatening levels.
Contribution:
Savostikova O.N. — the concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data.
Ushakova O.V. — concept and design of research, text writing, material collection and data processing, editing.
Tregubova L.Yu. — concept and design of the study, text writing, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. Under State Contract No. 145.001.21.6 for applied research work “Development of unified methods, including sampling, to determine microbiological and parasitological pollution of waste water” in the Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119121, Russian Federation.
Received: March 29, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
511-514
Studying the bioeffects of complexly organized electromagnetic impacts of low intensity
Abstract
Introduction. One of the modern tasks of hygienic assessment of the human environment is the accumulation of data on the bioeffects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), formed by the simultaneous action of several microwave sources. There is virtually no literature on the corresponding comparative analysis of the results of identical in conditions and energy effects on animals and humans.
The purpose of this work is to compare bioeffects and analyze possible mechanisms of their formation, as a result of the action of electromagnetic fields (EMF) of one, two and three carrier frequencies, within 0.9–1.4 GHz with equivalent energy and modulation characteristics.
Materials and methods. The work was performed in experiments on 11 rabbits (2.5–3 kg) of the Chinchilla breed and clinical- physiological studies involving 14 volunteers – men, aged 40–50 years. Irradiation was subjected mainly to the head of the object. The series differed in the number of carrier frequencies, their specific value and modulation within different EEG ranges, while maintaining an energy flux density (EPR) in the total pulse — 300 μW/cm2. We analyzed a set of indicators related to the functional assessment of central nervous, cardiovascular, respiration and muscular vbody systems.
Results. The results on the dependence of the EMF effect of complex organization on the carrier frequency, their number and modulation nature are presented. It was established that each of the observed reactions was within the physiological norm, but along with the gain in the number of carrier frequencies and the specific modulation value, their qualitative and quantitative characteristics increased. Analysis of their phenomenology (of the alpha EEG range only at one carrier; + delta with a reflection of the reaction in other indicators — at two; an increase in the percentage of reactions in a complex of indicators, especially EMG — at three) indicated a different degree of synchronization of the bioelectric activity of the brain and the neurophysiological mechanism of their formation. The information obtained, of course, is limited to specific EMF parameters. It complements the relevant information available by highlighting the need for more research on a case-by-case basis.
Limitations. The study of the phenomenology and mechanism of bioeffects of several low-intensity EMFs at the same time is a complex task that requires the involvement of a larger number of electromagnetic sources and a variety of indicators of the body’s response than this work was limited to and which, undoubtedly, is promising in the development of this area of research.
Conclusion. In this study, there were no reactions that would go beyond the physiological norm. However, further strengthening of synchronization processes in the central nervous system, according to the analysis of the literature, can lead to such changes. This circumstance dictates the need to take it into account in the formation of the appropriate sanitary and hygienic assessment.
Contribution:
Lukyanova S.N. — conducting experiments and research, processing the results, discussing them, writing an article.
Stepanov V.S. — conducting research, discussing the results, writing an article.
Torubarov F.S. – conducting research, discussing the results.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: January 13, 2022 / Accepted: April 21, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
515-521
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
On the issue of the use of women’s labor in the profession of a rolling stock driver (literature review)
Abstract
The literature review examines the main previously published and current regulatory documents regulating the work of women, lists harmful and dangerous factors characteristic of the work of drivers of freight, passenger and motor-car railway rolling stock. Railway transport refers to enterprises with a continuous technological process, a shift nature of work and work at night. Driving professions related to train traffic and shunting work are characterized by a high level of nervous and emotional tension. The modernization of modern production leads to a weakening of the adverse influence of factors of the production environment (physical, chemical), the severity of labour and an increase in nervous and emotional tension, hypodynamia and hypokinesia, work regimes. The work of a woman of reproductive age in harmful working conditions will inevitably affect not only her health, but also the child born to her. To solve the issue of the possibility of attracting women to work in railway transport as a machinist and assistant machinist of electric rolling stock of high-speed and high-speed traffic, comprehensive physiological and hygienic studies of the profession of a machinist and assistant machinist in railway transport from the point of view of the physiological and psychophysiological characteristics of the female body should be performed. The review provides state social guarantees for the protection of the health of working women, especially during pregnancy, proves the need for scientific justification of hygienic requirements that ensure the safe work of women in the profession of a machinist, as well as measures and requirements for the prevention of violations in the state of reproductive health. In preparing the review, the databases Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, CyberLeninka, RSCI were used.
Contribution:
Leksin A.G. — collection and processing of material, writing the text.
Kaptsov V.A. — the concept of research.
Korotich L.P. — collection and processing of material, writing the text, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: February 2, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
522-526
FOOD HYGIENE
The possibility of using different types of polymeric and polymer-containing reusable containers (literature review)
Abstract
The article contains a review of the literature devoted to research the possibility of using polymeric materials as returnable containers for the supply of water to consumers. When conducting a literature search, the following databases were used: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Global Health, RSCI.
The purpose of the work was to collect information on the sources of contamination of drinking water packed in polymer containers based on the literature data and evaluate the possibilities of its safe reuse. Conducted information and analytical studies have shown that the repeated use of polymer containers (in particular, PET containers) may be unreliable, both in terms of chemical and microbiological safety. The paper identifies the main chemical components migrating from polymer containers, which have the greatest impact on the quality of drinking water. The influence of storage temperature, the duration of contact of plastic with water, abrasion of the material, the influence of photochemical aging of bottles and the impact of disinfectants are also considered.
The conducted studies have shown that at the moment there are no regulatory and methodological documents regulating the possibility and conditions for the reuse of plastic containers (19-liter bottles), the number of cycles of its reuse, the indicators by which the assessment is made, and the criteria by which the already used container cannot be used further. The possibility of multiple reuse of polymer containers for water storage currently needs to be regulated.
There is little literature data on the wear resistance of various types of plastic and the maximum number of cycles of detergents and disinfectants that it can withstand without destroying its structure. Taking into account the data on the destructive changes in polymers under the influence of external factors (temperature, sunlight, etc.), and in the process of treating it with detergents, it is necessary to propose and scientifically substantiate documents regulating the use of returnable packaging, taking into account the materials of modern research. It is also necessary to search for safe, simple and effective methods and means of disinfection of polymer containers.
Contribution:
Alekseeva A.V. — concept and design of the study, text writing, collection of material and data processing, editing.
Evseeva I.S. — concept and design of the study, text writing, collection of material and data processing, editing.
Ushakova O.V. — concept and design of research, text writing, material collection and data processing.
Tregubova L.Yu. — concept and design of the study, text writing, collection of material and data processing, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: January 13, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
527-531
HYGIENE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Hygienic assessment of the lifestyle of university students
Abstract
Introduction. The health of the younger generation determines the intellectual potential and prospects for the socio-economic development of Russia [1]. Taking into account the urgency of the problem, we carried out a hygienic study, the purpose of which was to assess the lifestyle of university students with the subsequent development and registration the software that assesses a health risk group.
Materials and methods. The study of the way of life was carried out among university students in Ufa (1820 people). Based on data obtained, Software for assessing the conditions and lifestyle of university students was developed and registered. The assessment of the lifestyle of students at the University of Sheffield was carried out through an anonymous survey (116 people).
Results. The hygienic analysis of the lifestyle of students revealed a number of unfavourable features: prolonged stay in social networks (on average 4.8 ± 0.2 hours on weekdays), non-observance of the required duration of night sleep (6.4 ± 0.3 hours), significant coverage of tobacco smoking (21.2% of boys and 9.1% of girls), etc.
A comparative analysis of the lifestyle of students of the Russian Federation (Ufa) and Great Britain (Sheffield) was carried out, a number of advantages of the Russian educational system in relation to the health preservation of young people (arrangement of physical activity, provision of dormitories with minimal living costs, etc.), and some limitations.
To assess the risk group for the health of students, depending on the lifestyle, software has been developed and registered.
Limitations. The study was conducted on the basis of four different universities in Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan (12 universities and branches in total), which provided a representative sample of the volume. The subject of further research will be the study of the conditions of education in other universities in Ufa.
Conclusion. The lifestyle and the system of value orientations of students in relation to their own health are irrational in a number of indicators, which indicates the need to carry out preventive work within educational institutions aimed at preserving and strengthening the health of students.
Contribution:
Gorbatkova E.Yu. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Zulkarnaev T.R. — collection and processing of material.
Akhmadullin U.Z. — collection and processing of material, editing.
Akhmadullina Kh.M. — statistical processing.
Gorbatkov S.A. — statistical processing.
Khusnutdinova Z.A. — collection and processing of material.
Manuilova G.R. — statistical processing.|
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: January 13, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
532-538
Hygienic safety problems of baby bath toys
Abstract
Introduction. There is a potential risk of harm to kid health when using toys, in particular, there is a possibility of micro-fungi entering the oral cavity of a baby when using bath toys, which may be the cause of mycotic diseases. The study was initiated by the appeal of the Russian TV First Channel to the Institute of Medical Mycology named after P.N. Kashkin, where samples of used bath toys with a black scurf inside were transferred for research and evaluation of their safety.
The purpose: to evaluate the safety of the presented samples of baby bath toys after their intended use.
Materials and methods. The experimental group was represented by four baby toys for the bath, which were used for their intended purpose, and were operated for several months. As a control, 4 similar toys for the bath were used. The study of the inner surface of the toys of the experimental group was carried out using a Leica DM 4020 light microscope,and sowing scrapings on Sabouraud’s solid nutrient medium. Isolates were determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The inner surface of the toys was also studied by scanning electron microscopy. The fungus resistance of the samples was assessed according to GOST 9.049-91.
Results. The study of the inner surface of prototype toys for the bath established the well-developed and “young” biofilms in the black areas of the inner surface. Biconvex spores (2×3 μm) of fungal origin were identified. Inoculation of swabs from the inner surface revealed a massive growth of opportunistic fungi: yeast fungi Candida guilliermondii (Castell.) Langeron & Guerra and Rhodotorula spp. Studies on the fungus resistance of control samples of toys show that the material is not a nutrient medium for microfungi (neutral or fungistatic).
Limitations: a relatively small sample of samples, the use of expensive high-tech equipment, the difficulty of reproducibility of the result.
Conclusion. Colonization of the interior surface of toy specimens used in bathing kids with microscopic fungi and bacteria is indicative of a potential risk of harm to infants due to product design, period of use, and possibly materials used. In this regard, it is necessary to review the hygienic safety requirements for the design of bath toys and make appropriate additions to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of toys” (TR CU 008/2011). Safety can be ensured by the requirement of tightness of the body of toys, as well as a significant reduction in the service life of such products.
Contribution:
Vasilyeva N.V. — study concept and design, editing;
Bogomolova T.S. — collection of samples and research;
Khurtsilava O.G. — editing;
Iakubova I.Sh. — writing text, editing;
Alikbaeva L.A. — study concept and design, writing text;
Suvorova A.V. — writing text;
Raznatovskiy K.I. — study concept and design;
Bosak I.A. — collection of samples and research.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: January 31, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
539-544
METHODS OF HYGIENIC AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
Optimization of methods for sanitary-microbiological and sanitary-parasitological control of wastewater
Abstract
Introduction. The main reason for the problems of surface reservoirs in many regions of Russia is the non-compliance with sanitary protection zones and the discharge of insufficiently treated wastewater into reservoirs. SanPiN 1.2.3685-21 introduced a list of the new controlled sanitary-microbiological and parasitological safety indicators for disinfected wastewater and surface water bodies. For some indicators, there are no methods of determination in the current methodological documents. In this work, studies were carried out using various methods, including accelerated ones, which make it possible to determine the normalized indicators in wastewater and surface waters.
Goals and objectives — optimization of methods for the study of surface and wastewater in the implementation of sanitary-microbiological and sanitary-parasitological control.
Materials and methods. Bacteriological, parasitological indicators, as well as coliphages were determined in samples of surface and wastewater. To detect and identify generalized coliform bacteria, E. coli, enterococci, P. aeruginosa and legionella, in addition to membrane filtration and direct seeding methods, test systems (IDEXX) were used: Colilert-18 and Colilert-24, Pseudolert, Enterolert, Legionelert. Obligate anaerobes of C. perfringens were cultured in an anaerobic box (Anaerobic Station A55, Don Whitley Scientific) in an atmosphere of a three-component gas mixture. Species identification of microorganisms was carried out by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) using a Microflex mass spectrometer with MALDI BioTyper software (Bruker, Germany). Isolation of RNA/DNA of viruses and bacteria was carried out using a set of reagents “AmpliSens. RIBOT-prep”.
Results. As a result of the conducted studies, P. aeruginosa; E. coli, R. ornithinolytica, A. hydrophila, A. caviae, A. molluscorum; E. hirae, E. faecium, E.faecalis; C. perfringens; S. lutetiensis, S. suis were isolated and identified from wastewater at all stages of treatment, high fungal contamination was found, and also Group F adenovirus DNA (both in wastewater and surface water samples) and additionally rotovirus and norovirus RNA, Campylobacter DNA. SarsCov-2 virus RNA was not detected in any sample. Lamblia spp., Blastocystis spp. and Cryptosporidium parvum were identified; opportunistic Entamoeba spp.; helminth eggs — Toxocara spp., Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, Asagis lumbricoides, egg oncospheres Tenia spp.; Nematodes spp. larvae.
Limitations. Since clinically significant strains of bacteria, fungi, and parasitic protozoa were found in the studied water samples, it is important to expand knowledge about water sources as reservoirs and spreaders of these pathogens.
Conclusion. Monitoring is now urgently needed to quantify pathogens circulating in surface water and wastewater.
Contribution:
Zagaynova A.V., Aslanova M.M., Kurbatova I.V., Rakova V.M., Pay G.V., Nedachin A.E. — research concept and design, writing text, editing.
Fedez Z.E., Gritsyuk O.V., Pankova M.N., Novozhilov K.A., Abramov I.A., Ivanova P.A. — collection and processing of material.
Avtonomova A.V., Starodubova N.Y., Savostikova O.N. — writing text, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The research was carried out within the framework of the research work «Development of unified methods, including sampling, for the determination of microbiological and parasitological contamination of wastewater” (code “Wastewater”) No. 145.001.21.6 dated 12.11.2021.
Received: March 1, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
545-555
Relevant issues of determining total organic carbon in water
Abstract
Introduction. Total organic carbon (TOC) is a generalized indicator characterizing the pollution of water bodies with organic substances. In accordance with SanPiN 2.1.3864-21 for drinking water, the standard value of TOC content is set equal to 5 mg/dm3. Currently, total carbon analyzers are widely used to determine TOC. Despite its undoubted advantages, the determination of TOC on analyzers has many bottlenecks.
Purpose of the study. Analysis of the TOC values of water samples of various origins, obtained using different methods and measurement conditions.
Materials and methods. Determination of TOC was carried out with a total carbon analyzer TOC-VCHP (Shimadzu) in accordance with the operation manual of the difference measurement method (TOC) and non-blown organic carbon (NPOC). The objects of study were the water of natural sources, the centralized water supply system of various districts of Moscow, standard solutions of organic compounds.
Results. It has been established that during the operation of the analyzer in the analysis of natural and drinking water, incomplete disclosure of humic and fulvic compounds is observed, which cannot be established by standard tests provided for carbon analyzers. The lack of standardized procedures for degassing sparkling water can lead to TOC errors of thousands of percent.
Limitation. The limit of determined TOC values was 0.5 mg/dm3.
Conclusion. To control the correctness of the determination of TOC in drinking, natural and waste waters, standard samples of humic compounds are required that are characteristic of a particular area with a certified TOC value. It is required to develop and implement a standard procedure for degassing gaseous samples when determining TOC, since the lack of control of this stage of analysis can lead to unacceptable errors in the determination.
Conflict of interest. The author declares no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The study was supported by the state contract “Conducting an analytical review to identify priority chemical pollutants in the wastewater of the metropolis and water bodies polluted by them.”The author expresses his gratitude to V.S. Kharitonov and M.V. Peshchersky for measurements on the Vario TOC analyzer and consultations.
Received: April 1, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
556-561
MALDI-TOF MS application for identification of filamentous fungi
Abstract
Introduction. MALDI-TOF identification method is widely used in microbiology due to its accuracy and rapid results achievement. However, applying this method to mold fungi faces some difficulties and is not always effective.
Purpose of the study was to evaluate the profits of using the long cultivation and protein extraction protocol in routine identification of mold fungi isolates from environment.
Materials and methods. The analysis of molds museum collection from Centre for Strategic Planning of FMBA of Russia was performed by MALDI-TOF mass-spectrometry Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics) with cultivation in liquid media and long optimized protein extraction protocol with acetonitrile and formic acid.
Results. One hundred thirty seven isolates were analyzed. Quality spectra were achieved for 71.5% of samples. Identification with MBT Filamentous Fungi Library database with the high confidence score (> 1.7) was achieved for 55% of isolates (26% with score > 2). Samples analyzed included members of nineteen families and 27 genera. 16% of samples were not identified despite producing high-quality spectra.
Limitations. When studying the possibility of using the time-of-flight mass spectrometry method to identify mold fungi, a sample of 137 isolates of mold fungi from the environment was analyzed, which is a sufficient reference sample. The analyzed samples included representatives of 19 families and 27 genera, which makes it possible to apply the findings to at least these representatives of micellar fungi. In this study 22 samples with good quality spectra, were not identified with MBT Filamentous Fungi Library database. In the future studies, these samples, along with other samples like that, will be identified by genetic molecular methods and added to the new home-made database for filamentous fungi MALDI-TOF identification.
Conclusion. Effective identification of filamentous fungi by mass-spectrometry methods requires pure culture achieved from liquid media, long optimized protocol of protein extraction and building an in-house database of spectra not presented in Bruker database.
Contribution:
Kurbatova I.V. — research concept and design, material collection and microscopic identification data processing, statistical processing, text writing, editing;
Rakitina D.V. — research concept and design, material collection and data processing, identification by MALDI-TOF statistical processing, text writing, editing;
Kravchenko E.S. — cultivation of samples;
Maniya T.R. — writing text, editing;
Aslanova M.M. — concept and design of the study, editing;
Yudin S.M. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments. The research was carried out with the support of the State Assignment Reg. No. АААА-А21-121011190012-3, theme “Development of unified methods, including sampling, for the determination of microbiological and parasitological contamination of wastewater” (code “Wastewater”).
Received: March 5, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
562-566
The method of DNA extraction from soil samples
Abstract
Introduction. Even in the modern urban environment humans are in constant direct and indirect contact with soil. This leads to the spread of a wide range of soil-transmitted human and animal pathogens. Therefore, the development of fast and inexpensive methods of analysis and monitoring of these pathogenic objects is of great importance. PCR method is widely applied in laboratory practice and is able to detect even the uncultivated types of pathogens.
The aim of the study was to optimize the method of DNA isolation from soil, making it suitable for PCR-assay.
Materials and methods. DNA was isolated from the samples of surface layer of forest soil rich in humus, using lab-shelf chemicals and/or commercial kit. RT-PCR-test was performed using universal bacterial primers.
Results. We have analyzed various combinations of four extraction methods and three pre- and post-treatment methods. DNA was efficiently extracted by all methods, however, without additional purification stages it was unsuitable for PCR. The calcium salts treatment ws demonstrated to be necessary for removal of PCR inhibitors, presumably humic acids. Two DNA isolation methods were developed. Both methods use incubation with CaCO3 suspension followed by cetrimonium bromide lysis. More sensitive and unexpensive method uses CaCl2 as an additional purification stage. The less sensitive but more reproducible method included DNA isolation on Qiagen DNA (Qiagen) columns.
Limitations. When working out the technique of DNA isolation for PCR analysis, samples of the only sod-podzolic soil were studied. Therefore, the technique can be applied only for this type of soil.
Conclusion. Both methods optimized in this study can be used for evaluation of soil samples for the presence of pathogens by PCR.
Contribution:
Rakitina D.V. — concept and design of research, sampling, writing text, DNA isolation and PCR analysis.
Aslanova M.M. — concept and design of research, sampling, writing text.
Maniya T.R. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgment. The research was carried out within the framework of the research work «Development of unified methods, including sampling, for the determination of microbiological and parasitological contamination of wastewater” (code “Wastewater”) No. 145.001.21.6 dated 12.11.2021.
Received: February 02, 2022 / Accepted: April 21, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
567-571
Microbiological quality control of wastewater by species identification of microorganisms using MALDI-TOF MS
Abstract
Introduction. One of the main tasks of medical care for infectious diseases is the rapid identification of an infectious agent.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the MALDI mass spectrometry for identification bacteria for microbiological control of wastewater quality.
Materials and methods. Samples of wastewater samples at the treatment stage from the Kuryanovskaya aeration station were analyzed in accordance with MU 2.1.5.800-99 “Management of state sanitary and epidemiological supervision of wastewater disinfection” by the identification method in accordance with MUK 4.2.1884-04 “Sanitary-microbiological and sanitary — parasitological water analysis of surface water bodies” with application MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Results. 5 strains of museum reference cultures and 22 bacterial isolates from wastewater samples grown on selective media of Endo, Enterococcus and Chromococcus coliform agar were studied, identified by MALDI-TOF MS, and confirmed by sequencing of specific regions of the 16S rRNA gene in bacteria of the genus Salmonella by MALDI-TOF MS identified only gender.
Conclusion. In the routine practice of microbiological research, the identification of microorganisms is based on the determination of their cultural, tinctorial properties, and biochemical activity, the determination of which requires large financial and time costs. The use of the MALDI-TOF MS method makes it possible to reduce the time of identification of a microorganism when visible growth of microorganisms appears.
Contribution:
Streletskiy A.V., Sukhina M.A., Vodianova M.A., Zagainova A.V. — study concept and design, statistical processing, text writing, editing;
Avtonomova A.V. — statistical processing, text writing, editing;
Ekaterincheva E.S., Tolkacheva L.R., Gritsyuk O.V., Novozhilov K.A. — collection and processing of material, experimental work, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 15, 2022 / Accepted: April 21, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
572-577
Monitoring of natural water pollution by fluorescence spectroscopy
Abstract
Introduction. Environmental monitoring of the state of water bodies is an important component of environmental protection. A promising direction for assessing the quality of water bodies is to determine their generalized indicators. Fluorescence spectroscopy can serve as a source of important information about the state of water bodies and sources of their pollution.
Purpose of the study — to assess the water pollution of the Moskva River and its tributaries using the fluorescence spectroscopy method. To reveal the influence of oil products on the fluorescence spectra of river water.
Materials and methods. The object of the study was water from the Moskva River and its tributaries: Pakhra, Kotlovka, Setun. Water samples from the Moskva River were taken in different parts of the city, which are characterized by varying degrees of pollution. Water fluorescence spectra were measured with SM2203 spectrofluorimeter (ZAO Solar, Belarus), total organic and inorganic carbon, on a TOC-VCHP total carbon analyzer (Shimadzu, Japan).
Results. The nature of the fluorescence spectra of the Moskva River and its tributaries in the absence of significant anthropogenic pollution are characterized by relative constancy. Bacterial pollution and pollution with aromatic compounds of anthropogenic origin, including oil products, leads to an increase in the fluorescence intensity in the short-wavelength part of the spectrum. The correlation coefficient between the optical density at a wavelength of 254 nm and the content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for the studied samples was 0.66, and between the fluorescence intensity at a wavelength of 400 nm and DOC was 0.74.
Limitations. The method cannot be used for the quantitative determination of individual substances; it is intended for a semi-quantitative assessment of water pollution.
Conclusion. Measurement of fluorescence spectra and total organic carbon makes it possible to give a general assessment of the contamination of a water body (which is especially important for a sample of unknown composition) and to choose the optimal scheme for its targeted analysis. High dissolved organic carbon (DOC) values and high fluorescence intensity at 320 nm are highly likely to indicate chemical contamination of water, while DOC values characteristic of a water body and high fluorescence intensity at 320 nm indicate bacterial contamination.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study was supported by the state contract “Conducting an analytical review to identify priority chemical pollutants in the wastewater of the metropolis and water bodies polluted by them.”
Received: March 16, 2022 / Accepted: April 21, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
578-582
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis for identification of parasitic disease causes: current status and prospects
Abstract
Introduction. The general issues of methodology, approaches and technologies in laboratory diagnostics of parasitic infections include MALDI-ToF MS-analysis (Matrix-Assisted Lazer Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry; matrix-activated laser desorption-ionization time-of-Flight mass spectrometry), as well as a number of specific issues related to the relevance and timely application of this highly specific technologies in identification and typing of pathogens of parasitic diseases. An important and practically unsolved problem in parasitology is high-quality, highly effective, highly sensitive laboratory diagnostics of parasitoses.
The object of this study is to analyze and evaluate the current state and perspectives of MALDI-TOF as an instrument of identification of diverse parasites in various samples and objects.
Materials and methods. Federal statistics data on infectious and parasitic morbidity, own experimental studies, retrospectively analyzed literary data of foreign and Russian authors.
Results. A steady decline in the detection of cases of parasitic invasions is associated with the lack of highly effective and sensitive diagnostic methods.
Limitations. In the process of studying the effectiveness of the MALDI-TOF MS method in parasitological laboratories (departments), we analyzed our own experimental data (samples with artificial introduction of parasitic pathogens) and analyzed data on the main parasitic nosologies circulating in the territory of the Russian Federation for three years from 2017–2019, which are reflected in the state reports of of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing, which is a fairly reference sample.
Conclusions. Studies comparing the results of mass spectrometric typing and traditional diagnostic methods are promising, which are necessary to clarify the capabilities of the method and determine its place in the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by parasitic pathogens.
Contribution:
Aslanova M.M. — research concept and design, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Rakitina D.V. — research concept and design, statistical processing, text writing, editing.
Maniya T.R. — collection and processing of material.
Abramov I.A. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing.
Sergiev V.P. — research concept and design.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 1, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
583-588
PREVENTIVE TOXICOLOGY AND HYGIENIC STANDARTIZATION
The effect of the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride on the biotransformation of urea when exposed to soil nitrifying strains
Abstract
Introduction. The consequences of uncontrolled use of antibiotics in agriculture are an urgent problem of environmental hygiene. Tetracycline can enter the soil with the urine of domestic animals, inhibit the vital activity of soil bacterial strains and inhibit the processes of enzymatic hydrolysis of urea (carbamide), disrupting the global nitrogen cycle in nature. The lack of both quantitative and qualitative criteria for assessing this influence determined the relevance of the research.
Materials and methods. The studies were carried out using the “Stayer” chromatographic system with cationic and anionic separating columns and exclusive analysis methods developed by the authors. When modelling solutions of heavy metals, an atomic absorption spectrometer МГА-915МД with ЭTA was used. The objects of research were model solutions of carbamide with different content of inhibiting substances. As a source of urease and strains of Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas, sod-podzolic soil from the Educational and Experimental Soil-Ecological Center “Chashnikovo” of Lomonosov Moscow State University was used.
Results. An improved, more rapid chromatographic method for the analysis of urea in water is proposed compared to the method described by the authors earlier. The inhibitory effect of the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride on the process of biotransformation of nitrite into nitrate caused by Nitrobacter strains has been shown. No significant effect of the antibiotic on the biotransformation of urea into ammonium and ammonium into nitrite under the action of Nitrosomonas strains has been established.
Limitations. The studies were carried out on the model of water systems, which included an aqueous phase containing different concentrations of the antibiotic, soil suspension, urea, heavy metal ions at a temperature of t = 30 °C, pH ~ 6.5. The influence of salt background, pH, and temperature on biotransformation has not been studied, which could, without changing the overall picture, reveal nuances in the kinetics of the main processes.
Conclusion. Studies have shown the absence of the effect of the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride on the kinetics of the decomposition of urea to ammonium and carbon dioxide due to urease enzymatic activity; there is no effect of the antibiotic on the oxidation of ammonium to nitrites by Nitrosomonas strains. It was found: selective inhibitory effect of an antibiotic during the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate, due to Nitrobacter strains; inhibition of biotransformation processes by chromium ions along the entire chain of transformations from urea to nitrate; and the inhibitory effect of excess oxygen on the totality of biotransformation processes during air bubbling through the aqueous phase.
Contribution:
Abramov E.G. — collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing text, research concept, editing.
Antropova N.S. — collecting and processing material, writing text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.
Gratitude. The authors express their gratitude to A.V. Zagainova and the staff of the Microbiology laboratory of the FSBI "CSP" of the FMBA of Russia for their assistance in conducting experiments.
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.
Received: March 16, 2022 / Accepted: April 12, 2022 / Published: May 31, 2022
589-595
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