Immunological status in employees of the mining and processing enterprise and chemical risk factors

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, occupational health problems acquire particular relevance due to the inconsistency of working conditions with hygienic standards. Unfavorable conditions lead to the development of occupational and production conditioned diseases, increase the risk of developing non-specific diseases and exacerbate their medico-social consequences. In this regard, it becomes essential to develop diagnostic criteria for early health disorders of workers under the influence of working conditions [1]. Materials and methods. One hundred ninety-five workers of potash production (men) were examined. The observation group consisted of 120 workers exposed to harmful chemical occupational factors (air pollution of the working area with silvinite dust, chemicals on the example of hexane). Seventy-five workers were not exposed to harmful factors of the production environment (comparison group). CD-phenotypes of cellular immunity were determined by flow cytometry. The chemical and analytical study of the content of contaminants in urine was carried out by the method of analysis of the equilibrium vapor phase (hexane). The content of IgG specific to the studied substance was determined by the allergosorbent method. Results. Changes in the immune system were significant concerning the comparison group and characterized by excessive expression of many CD-immunophenotypes (CD11a, CD3+CD95+) and the TNFR receptor. At the same time, an increased concentration of hexane was registered in the biological media of workers in the main occupational groups compared to the comparison group. Reliable differences in the content of specific antibodies to hexane (IgG) between the studied groups of workers (p<0.05) were established. Conclusion. The results of this work allowed substantiating the list of priority indicators of the state of the immune system in mining workers exposed to direct exposure to contaminants at the stage of chemical treatment of mineral resources. Abnormalities of cellular and humoral immunity have been identified, which can impair the functioning of the body’s immune system and the formation of immune-mediated pathological conditions (inflammatory and proliferative processes in the lungs, asthenia).