Background: The creation and development of socio-hygienic (public health) monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region is an example of implementing a relevant and practically important governmental instrument in the field of ensuring sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population on an interdisciplinary basis using a systematic approach to analyzing health effects of environmental factors. This has determined the objective of the study to analyze the history of the development of social and hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region in the 20th – 21st centuries.
Materials and methods: We describe three timespans of the development of socio-hygienic monitoring: the years 1991–2000, 2001–2010, and 2011–2020, as well as the period since 2021, each described by implementation of significant decisions aimed to increase efficiency of information and analytical support of sanitary and epidemiological welfare and health risk assessment, management, monitoring, and communication.
Results: The article highlights the milestones that have influenced the development of the system of socio-hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region, name its contributors and specify their innovations put into practice, often for the first time in history, of the bodies and institutions of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), and delineate dissemination of experience and achieved results in other constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Conclusion: We outline areas for improvement and medium-term objectives of socio-hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region within implementation of the Concept for Development of Socio-Hygienic Monitoring through to 2030.

Introduction: The problem of maintaining and promoting health is relevant for all working citizens, regardless of the form and conditions of their work. A decrease in the mortality rate in the working-age population is one of the priorities of the national demographic policy. Employers shall pay great attention to occupational safety, prevention of occupational injuries and diseases, and work–rest schedule. Routine behavioral practices of employees, however, play an important role in health promotion. At the same time, the form of labor activity affects their attitude to a healthy lifestyle and the respective behavior pattern. The objective of the study was to analyze current differences in behavioral practices of health maintenance and promotion between manual and non-manual workers.
Methods: The article is based on the results of the social survey of 1,500 people aged 18 years and older conducted on April 18–27, 2022 in 30 regions of the Russian Federation using the method of an in-home personal interview.
Result: The results of the survey revealed different behavioral practices in workers of physical and mental labor. Knowledge workers generally pay more attention to their health: they take dietary supplements and vitamins, have regular health checkup, follow basic principles of a healthy lifestyle, including systematic physical activity, a healthy diet, and rejection of bad habits. Blue-collar workers, however, raise concern as they demonstrate opposite results.
Conclusions: The survey findings are of interest in terms of assessing the potential of strengthening health resources of manual and non-manual workers. Measures of health promotion and disease prevention can be more effective if they address both occupational risks and lifestyle behaviors of the workforce.

Introduction: High-volume manufacturing of selenium and a widespread use of its compounds pose potential risks to human health. Certain copper production processes emit selenium-containing nanoparticles.
Objective: To assess health effects of selenium oxide nanoparticles as an industrial and environmental toxicant.
Materials and methods: Selenium oxide nanoparticles (SeO NPs) were obtained by laser ablation. Their toxicity was studied both in vitro on human lung-derived embryonic fibroblasts (FLEH-104 cell line) by assaying adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence and the rate of oxygen consumption, and in vivo on outbred albino rats by analyzing ultrastructural changes in tissues using electron microscopy, measuring succinate dehydrogenase activity of blood lymphocytes, and conducting a blood-based metabolomic test.
Results: The in vitro experiment showed a decrease in ATP bioluminescence by 75.9 % and in the oxygen consumption rate of cells by 79.8 % in the incubation medium with 100 μg/mL concentration of SeO NPs. In the in vivo experiment, succinate dehydrogenase activity of blood lymphocytes decreased inversely with the increasing dose by 10.12 %, 14.0 %, 15.9 % compared to the control animals in the SeO NPs 0.1, SeO NPs 0.5, and SeO NPs 1 exposure groups, respectively. The study of ultrastructural changes in liver tissue showed a smaller number of normal mitochondria (7.78 % less in the SeO NP 1 group) compared to the controls while the metabolomic test revealed decreased acylcarnitines and increased lysophosphatidylinositols following the exposure to SeO NPs (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results of our in vitro and in vivo studies showed adverse effects of SeO NPs on bioenergetics processes in cells involving at least two mechanisms: disruption of mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids and inactivation of succinate dehydrogenase. The fundamental role of the latter in the mitochondrial electron transport chain makes its vitally important for most multicellular organisms. Our findings can serve as a rationale for assessing selenium-containing nanoparticles as a chemical hazard and searching for approaches to managing their health risks.

Introduction: In the developed metallurgical industry, maximum permissible concentrations of heavy metals in the work environment are often exceeded, and the elevated exposure levels have a detrimental effect on workers’ health. Heavy metals cause oxidative stress, which is key factor in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerosis, in its turn, is the primary cause of heart attacks and stroke, which account for 85 % of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases.
Objective: To study molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the impact of heavy metals on the disease course.
Methods: We applied methods of information analysis based on the review and generalization of published up-to-date research data on the pathogenesis and effects of heavy metals on the course of atherosclerosis found in NLM, Scopus, Cyber- Leninka, Google Scholar, and eLibrary abstract and citation databases, as well as on information portals, as of January 2022. More than 400 papers were analyzed and 66 full-text articles were found eligible for inclusion in this review.
Results: We established the relationship between the exposure to heavy metals and the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and compared the main stages of the disease development with the respective blood metabolomic profiles.
Conclusions: Our literature review has revealed problems in the regulatory framework and practical assessment of the contribution of heavy metal exposures to the course of atherosclerotic lesions. So far, the effect of heavy metals only on isolated processes of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been established, such as a change in permeability and destruction of vascular membranes, increased oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, changes in blood rheological properties, and an increased risk of thrombosis. The observed patterns in the change in concentrations of some blood metabolites and the potential adverse vascular effect of heavy metals will help develop new methods for detecting atherosclerosis and include industrial workers in the group at risk of the disease for its early diagnosis.

Background: Copper ore processing plants are the emission sources of aerosols having a complex chemical composition. The aerosol components polluting both the workplace air and the ambient air of the adjacent populated areas include selenium, copper, and nanoparticles of these metal oxides.
Objective: To evaluate the combined cytotoxic effect of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles following the administration of a bioprophylactic complex.
Materials and methods: The exposure to cytotoxic chemicals was modeled on outbred female rats by a single intratracheal injection of a suspension of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.25 g/L, obtained by laser ablation. Cytological and biochemical parameters of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured 24 hours after the exposure. A specially developed bioprophylactic complex was administered to a part of the experimental animals with feed and drink during a month prior to the injection.
Results: A single intratracheal instillation of the suspension of SeO and CuO nanoparticles altered BALF cytological and biochemical parameters, thus indicating their pronounced cytotoxic effect. In the group of the exposed rats administered a preliminary course of biological prophylaxis, we observed a decrease in the absolute number of neutrophils and the neutrophil to alveolar macrophage ratio, which is an indirect indicator of the cytotoxic effect, and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
Conclusion: The science-based and experimentally tested complex of bioprotectors can attenuate a combined cytotoxic health effect of the exposure to selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles.

Background: Ensuring safety of food products, reducing the risk of damages to consumers, and optimizing the activities of supervisory authorities are the priorities of the Russian government policy. Inspection aimed at eliminating risk factors is one of the ways of achieving these goals. The attention of oversight bodies and food retailers shall be focused on compliance with mandatory requirements enabling prevention of food safety hazards and related health risks in consumers.
Objective: To assess the impact of identified violations of legal requirements on the quality and safety of food products and to establish the efficiency of managerial decisions made to prevent retailing of nonconforming foods.
Materials and methods: We analyzed results of laboratory testing of foodstuffs sampled in 5,923 grocery stores and the number of cases of regulatory noncompliance in them indicating the absent or improper systemic approach to safety management based on HACCP principles, all provided by the Sverdlovsk Regional Office of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) for the years 2016–2020.
Results: We established a strong relationship between nonconforming food products sold and noncompliance with the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 021/2011 on Food Safety. We revealed processes posing a potential threat of selling nonconforming products and thus requiring special control. The highest probability of encountering such products was detected in groceries selling a wide range of foodstuffs and serving more than 50 people per store.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate the importance of considering the identified hazards caused by noncompliance with mandatory requirements and posing threat of retailing nonconforming food products during inspections. Ensuring a comprehensive approach and appropriate preventive measures within food quality and safety management by retailers and Rospotrebnadzor will encourage the former to reduce the category of risks of damage, to optimize the use of resources, to raise the efficiency of their activities, and to decrease the number of unsafe products sold.

Background: The solution of problems of school nutrition requires a creation of program and project management technologies of school catering focused on children’s health.
Objective: To elaborate approaches to introducing the system of risk management in school catering.
Materials and methods: In 2019–2021, specialists from various departmental authorities were brought together to conduct the study aimed at identifying and solving challenges related to school nutrition. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of 43,565 respondents from 135 schools in the city of Yekaterinburg for the purposes of an integral assessment of their satisfaction with school meals. We also analyzed 10,623 food samples, estimated nutritional values of dishes, and evaluated implementation of the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in 12 school canteens in view of the results of health checkups of 53,572 students.
Results: We established the main reasons for refusal of school meals and proved the relationship between general satisfaction with school nutrition and school catering companies. In terms of nutritional value, 70.5 % of the collected food samples did not comply with the estimates provided in technical documentation. We observed no systemic risk management of food hygiene violations. The estimated proportion of schoolchildren with diet-related diseases ranged from 15 to 72 %. Our findings were used to develop recommendations for improvement of school meals and an algorithm of managerial decision-making envisaging cooperation of organizations of various levels in providing healthy nutrition to schoolchildren.
Conclusion: A systemic approach and combined efforts of various authorities are necessary to promote healthy eating at school. Elaboration of methods for reliable assessment of the nutritional value of diets and health-related nutrition factors is essential. The developed comprehensive approach to managerial decision-making will contribute to providing healthy and appealing school meals. The effectiveness of joint activities will depend on each member of the team of specialists involved in organizing school catering.

Introduction: In the Sverdlovsk Region, the risks posed by cadmium, arsenic and lead exposures account for higher disease rates in the most sensitive groups of population. Recent studies have shown that these toxicants have an effect on mineral metabolism, damage to liver cells, kidneys, immunity indicators, and the nervous system.
Objective: To assess the levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic in biological fluids of preschool children aged 3–6 years, living in towns with developed non-ferrous metallurgy, and possible changes in the health status at the detected level of toxicity.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted in six towns of the Sverdlovsk Region with developed non-ferrous metallurgy. Environmental pollution in the study areas was assessed based on data of socio-hygienic monitoring. Biological monitoring was carried out to establish the levels of toxicants in blood and urine of children. A descriptive analysis of chronic morbidity in preschool children was performed, and the results of a special health examination of children (including that by a pediatrician and a neurologist) were presented. Mathematical modeling using decision trees was carried out.
Results: Health monitoring data indicate an excess of the average regional prevalence rates in the studied preschoolers in nine disease categories. According to the results of an in-depth examination of the preschool children, diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, diseases of the respiratory system, blood diseases and individual disorders involving the immune mechanism, and digestive diseases prevailed. Among concomitant diseases, the most prevalent were diseases of the digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems. Assessment of the neurological status showed that the largest percentage of children had residual cerebral insufficiency, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and cerebrastenic syndrome. Biomonitoring results indicated a higher level of lead, arsenic and cadmium in the biological fluids of those children. Mathematical modeling demonstrated statistically significant correlations between lead, cadmium, and arsenic concentrations in environmental objects, biomonitoring results, and clinical and laboratory examination data of children (the blood levels of alanine aminotransferase, zinc, total protein, phagocytic index, and the carrier of the marker of apoptosis CD95+).
Conclusions: The results of biological monitoring were consistent with data on chronic morbidity in preschool children. Modeling data provided the body burden of toxicants, above which deviations of clinical and laboratory parameters from the reference values may occur. The findings can be used in implementation of targeted measures for disease prevention.

Background: Environmental epigenetics plays an important role in developing a phenotype of diseases.
Objective: To identify signs of phenotypic changes in children constantly exposed to high environmental levels of chemical pollutants in the city of Nizhny Tagil.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted in a specialized kindergarten for children suffering from different allergic diseases in the city of Nizhny Tagil. To detect phenotypic signs of environmental exposure, we used data on clinical diagnoses, medical history, and pediatric physical examination, as well as the results of a parent survey on allergies. We then measured blood and urinary levels of some metals and total IgE as a marker of lead poisoning in children.
Results: According to clinical diagnoses, food intolerance was noted in 97.7 % of the children, 91.2 % suffered from allergic dermatitis, and almost 20 % were allergic to house dust. Phenotypic manifestations of food intolerance testified to the predominance of its skin phenotype. Every third child had symptoms of psychological disorders. The questionnaire-based survey revealed a positive allergic status in 83.1 % of the parents, mainly with skin manifestations. High blood levels of lead, nickel, cobalt, and cadmium exceeding the safe level by 23.6–240 % were observed in the study population. The syndrome of chronic xenogeneic intoxication was established in 57.3 % of cases and the syndrome of sensitization to low doses of chemicals – in 41.6 % of them. Almost 25 % of the children were underweight, which was associated with their blood cadmium levels.
Conclusions: Our findings confirm the few literature data on such health effects of heavy metals in children as asthma, eczema and food allergies, as well as low body weight and height. Studies of the signs of phenotypic changes in the group of children suffering from allergies and exposed to environmental hazards are most likely to indicate the adverse impact of heavy metals on the immune system, manifestations of epigenetic mechanisms forming the allergy phenotype, which can potentially lead to transgenerational inheritance.

Background: In the context of deteriorating surface water quality, it is important to create a monitoring system to control constantly changing indicators that can affect the quality of both natural and potable water supplied to the population. Organic carbon is one of the key indicators reflecting the rate of production and destruction, climate change and anthropogenic impacts, safety and efficiency of potable water treatment.
Objective: To study key indicators in the organization of potable water source quality monitoring.
Materials and methods: In 2020–2021, monthly water sampling was carried out in a reservoir serving as the source of household and potable water supply of a large industrial city of the Sverdlovsk Region, and after water treatment. Water temperature, dissolved total, organic, and inorganic carbon, pH, the permanganate index (PI), hardness, and dry residue were measured. We then analyzed correlations between the indicators and assessed the efficiency of water treatment.
Results: Maximum concentrations of Ctotal (54.3 mg/dm3) and Corg (36.0 mg/dm3) in the source water were found in January 2021. The predominance of Cinorg concentrations compared to Corg was mainly observed in warm months of the year. Water treatment generally decreased the content of Ctotal in potable water by 12–32 %, Corg by 12–47 %, Cinorg by 6–32 %, and PI by 28–68 %, except for a few months. In spring and summer 2021, we noted a decrease in PI in the reservoir; compared to other seasons, an increase in water pH was revealed in summer. We established a negative correlation between concentrations of organic carbon and water temperature.
Conclusions: Monitoring studies of the surface potable water source have been organized. We revealed seasonal patterns of carbon changes and indicators of the mineral composition of water, and demonstrated the efficiency of water treatment.