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The Influence of Elemental Homeostasis on the Adaptation of Workers and Populations Exposed to Man-Made Toxic Metals in Work and Military Environments in Ukraine

The Influence of Elemental Homeostasis on the Adaptation of Workers and Populations Exposed to Man-Made Toxic Metals in Work and Military Environments in Ukraine

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.20, No 3, 2024

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2024.03.205

The Influence of Elemental Homeostasis on the Adaptation of Workers and Populations Exposed to Man-Made Toxic Metals in Work and Military Environments in Ukraine

Andrusyshyna I.M., Lampeka O.G., Golub I.O. Tkach G. F.

SI «Kundiiev Institute for Occupational Health of the NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine

Full article (PDF): UKR

Introduction. This study assesses the impact of toxic metals and essential elements on the human body, focusing on the interplay between elemental concentrations in hair and whole blood, and how these affect the body's adaptability. Special attention is given to elemental imbalances in volunteers, workers, and military personnel who are in contact with heavy metals, particularly in the context of occupational exposure and military operations in Ukraine.

Aim of the study. The aim is to investigate the elemental homeostasis of different groups of workers and military personnel. This includes evaluating and summarizing the levels of toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Al, Mn, Fe, Zn) in biological environments of the adult population and workers in various industries exposed to toxic metals over the past 20 years.

Materials and methods. The concentration of toxic metals and essential trace elements was analyzed in biological media (whole blood, blood serum) from healthy volunteers working in industries with heavy metal exposure (battery operators, welders, miners, firefighters, and military personnel). Metal content was determined using an Optima 2100 DV inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Additionally, a Humalyzer 2000 biochemical analyzer and statistical methods were used to evaluate blood chemistry parameters.

Results. The findings indicate that exposure to extreme conditions, such as firefighting and military service, triggers nonspecific adaptive reactions in the body, reflected in significant changes in elemental status. For example, a high number of correlations between elements in these groups suggests an intense adaptive response. In contrast, workers such as welders and battery operators, with prolonged exposure to toxic metals, showed a decline in elemental correlations, indicating adaptation to long-term exposure. These adaptations were further supported by increased levels of certain biochemical parameters in the blood, such as cholesterol, bilirubin, ALT, AST, and total protein, which play key roles in maintaining physiological function under stress.

Conclusions. The adaptability of elemental homeostasis in individuals is influenced by the type and duration of professional exposure to toxic metals. The highest stress in adaptive processes was observed in soldiers and firefighters (with less than 5 years of experience), while welders, battery operators, and miners (with over 24 years of experience) demonstrated greater adaptation. Early identification of individuals with deviations in macroelement and microelement levels could help detect pre-pathological conditions and identify high-risk groups for diseases related to disrupted mineral metabolism.

Keywords: toxic metals, essential trace elements, biological media, whole blood, blood serum, reference values, adaptation, occupational exposure, environment, elemental homeostasis.

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