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Toxic Metals in the Whole Blood of Combatants as Markers of Exposure and Indicators of Metabolic Adaptation Under Conditions of Military Operations in Ukraine (2022–2025)

Toxic Metals in the Whole Blood of Combatants as Markers of Exposure and Indicators of Metabolic Adaptation Under Conditions of Military Operations in Ukraine (2022–2025)

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.22, No 1, 2026

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2026.01.104

Toxic Metals in the Whole Blood of Combatants as Markers of Exposure and Indicators of Metabolic Adaptation under Conditions of Military Operations in Ukraine (2022–2025)

Andrusyshyna I.M., Lampeka O,G., Zinchenko V.M., Movchan V.O.

State Institution “Y.I. Kundiev Institute of Occupational Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences,” Kyiv, Ukraine

Full article (PDF), UKR

Introduction. This study presents the results of a pilot monitoring study of toxic metal levels (specifically lead, cadmium, manganese, and chromium) in whole blood and serum samples from military personnel who were directly involved in combat operations between 2022–2025.

The aim of the research – to assess the degree of accumulation of toxic elements in the bodies of combatants due to specific anthropogenic influences in the combat zone.

Materials and methods of the research. The analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The study subjects were whole blood and serum samples from individuals with varying durations of stay in the combat zone.

Results. Preliminary data indicate a correlation between the duration of stay in active shelling zones and increased concentrations of heavy metals exceeding reference values for the civilian population. The findings highlight the necessity of implementing detoxification protocols and long-term medical surveillance of veterans' health to prevent the development of chronic pathologies associated with environmental factors of war.

Conclusion. The obtained data suggest that the microelement status of military personnel in 2024 was characterized by extreme depletion of the essential element depot, which may cause reduced bodily resistance and impaired adaptive capacity.

Key words: combatants, toxic metals, whole blood, ecology of war, preventive medicine, ICP-OES

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