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The study provides an overview of methods for neutralizing pollutants from emissions from livestock facilities. The principal possibility of gas purification with the use of sorbents based on natural materials is presented. Pilot tests were conducted on the territory of an operating livestock farm in the Republic of Kalmykia. During the experiment, the type of sorption loading of the biofilter varied, which made it possible to assess the basic requirements, engineering fundamentals, principles of operation, applicability, economic efficiency and potential failures of the proposed method.

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pollutants of atmospheric air have a negative impact on the reproductive system and men fertility at different levels, adversely affects the processes spermatogenesis and semen parameters, has gametotoxic and genotoxic effects. The review considers the effects of fine particles, various gases (nitrogen dioxide and oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone), heavy metals (lead, cadmium) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on male reproductive system, quantity of sperm, mobility, morphology, number of sperm and fragmentation of sperm DNA. The studies about the influence of air pollution on male reproductive system on laboratory animal models are analyzed.

Objective: to assess the impact of air pollutants on respiratory tract diseases in children and adolescents of industrial region.Materials and methods: the study of respiratory tract diseases and their prevalence for children 0-14 and adolescents 15-17 for long-term period was made on the base of analysis of official statistical data of the yearbooks prepared by Luhansk Regional Focal Point for Health and the Focal Point of the Luhansk Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital.Results: the number of respiratory tract diseases (on 1000 child’s population) in children 0-14 for long-term period (2000-2013) in the Luhansk area, and also prevalence of the indicated diseases for certain higher in industrial cities with the high technogenic loading, as compared to rural settlements. In Alchevsk with the large of ferrous metallurgy and coke-chemical productions morbidity of children and adolescents of respiratory organs and prevalence of the indicated pathology is determined by average annual concentrations in atmospheric air of the self-weighted substances, oxide of carbon, oxide of nitrogen, phenol and also CIAP7 by a complex 7 basic components of extrass metallurgical and coke-chemical productions (self-weighted substances, oxide of carbon, oxide of nitrogen, dioxide of nitrogen, dioxide of sulphur, phenol and ammonia). It was established the meaningful statistical conformity of increasing of morbidity and prevalence of diseases of class X among children in age 0-14 and adolescents 15-17 for longterm period in industrial cities and rural districts.Summary: recommendation of the prophylaxis of negative influence of air pollutants on respiratory tract diseases in children and adolescents were offered.

Copyright of Automation of Technological & Business Processes / Avtomatizaciâ Tehnologiceskih i Biznes-Processov is the property of Odesa National University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. To determine the amount of pollution of the environment by fires and their impact on ecological safety, and to develop the methods of reduction of polluting emissions by reducing the time of free development of fire due to selection of the optimal route for fire-rescue units to the incident site. Methodology. Analytical mass transfer model was developed for determination of emission of toxic substances into the atmosphere during an indoor fire. Main parameters were simulated: the number of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrochloric, hydrocyanic acid, acrolein and nitrogen oxides entering the atmosphere during a fire. The optimization model was developed to select the route of the fire-rescue units to the fire location. Findings. Based on the integrated model of fire we have solved analytically the differential equation of material balance of toxic combustion products in an indoor fire. The results of calculation of emission using the mathematical model showed that as a result of fire in residential and administrative buildings a significant amount of toxic substances goes to the atmosphere. And the maximum surface concentration of some substances (hydrochloric acid) exceeds the short-term exposure limit. To reduce emissions we have developed a simulation model for selection of optimal route to the fire, which reduces the free development of fire and toxic emissions into the atmosphere. Originality. The analytical model allows us to assess the emissions of toxic substances into the atmosphere during an indoor fire adequately and optimize the model to reduce the emissions. Practical value. It was developed an algorithm and software for selecting optimal route for fire-rescue units the fire location based on the optimization model (on the example of the State Fire-Rescue Station Number 1 Galician Regional Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Emergency Situations of Lvov). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To create the method of detalization of spatial distribution of harmful impurities in big cities for ecological monitoring of the environment. Methodology. We have reproduced the values of pollution parameters by digitized parameters of geological and landscape, and environmental conditions. Findings. We have developed the method of improvement of representativeness of monitoring network. This increases significantly the conformity of the assessment of the ecological characteristics spatial distribution to real situation. We have constructed the maps of pollution of the city of Kyiv by dust. Multiple correlation coefficients have been found between the pollution level and the parameters of environment conditions. They have high values of 0.82-0.98. The example of the city of Kyiv shows us the effectiveness of the method. We have determined the parameters of environment conditions most closely associated with the rate of pollution. Originality. The method of detalization of spatial distribution of harmful impurities in air is based on measuring of the multiple correlations between the pollution index and the index of environment conditions in the observation point. To register environment conditions we have proposed the point scale for 8 parameters (soil composition, relief, urbanization degree, transport traffic, green spaces, aeration, distance from the source of contamination, nature of the surface). Practical value. The method makes it possible to reflect the state of the environment in cities more accurately. This assures complete control over the state of environment by environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Comparative phenotypical and genetical evaluation of pathogenic potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from resident bacterial carriers, residing on the territories with anthropogenic pollution of air environment of varying intensity., Materials and Methods: S. aureus, isolated 3 times from mucous membrane of the anterior of nose from 210 children, were the object of the study. Anti-carnosine activity and biofilm formation was determined by a photometric method, antibiotics resistance--by a disc diffusion method. lukS, lukF, sec 3, clfA, clfB, agr and mecA gene detection, that are associated with S. aureus, was carried out by PCR., Results: S. aureus strains, isolated from children, residing on the territories with a high level of anthropogenic pollution of air environment, were characterized by antibiotics resistance, higher values of anti-carnosine activity, 2 times more frequently formed biofilms with higher values of the parameter. clfA and clfB genes, that determine colonization of mucous membranes, and agr gene were detected in all the studied S. aureus strains, lukF and sec 3 genes were detected in 20-40% of the strains, isolated from children, residing on both territories. mecA and lukS genetical determinants were not detected., Conclusion: S. aureus, isolated from children, residing on the territories with high levels of anthropogenic pollution of air environment; were characterized by higher values of the studied factors of persistence and stability against antibiotics. Genetical determinants of pathogenicity were not detected in S. aureus, isolated from individuals, residing on both territories.

Trends in the chemical composition of air revealed by the sanitary-chemical and toxicological investigations in multifactorial ground-based tests and long-term space flights aboard the Salyut- 6, 7, Mir and the International space station have been used to deduce the chemical characteristic and to substantiate methods to and criteria for evaluation of toxic risks to space crews from air chemical pollution. Of particular concern were the toxic risks and crew protection during the first ingress to modules on the stage of station assembly in orbit, in the course of long-term missions, and in the event of acute exposure in off-nominal and emergency conditions.

The abundance distribution of different ecological groups of lichens depending on bark pH has been studied on 1- to 24-year shoots of Siberian fir in the mountains of southern Siberia. Along with acidophytic lichens commonly found on the Siberian fir (Usnea sp., Bryoria sp., etc.), its young shoots are also colonized by nitrophytic species (Physcia tenella, Melanelia exasperatula, etc.), which is evidence for the increasing pH of shoot bark. The proportion of thalli of nitrophytic lichen species shows a significant positive correlation with the pH of the upper (dusted) bark layer and is greater in the Eastern Sayan (at bark pH averaging 5.4) than in the Western Sayan (pH 4.7). The trends revealed in this study may be used for indication of pollution and ecological monitoring of forest ecosystems.

The paper gives the results of monitoring the ambient air pollution by chemicals, the sedimentation of atmospheric pollutants on the snow blanket in the area where the public corporation "Nizhnetagilsky Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat" (Nizhni-Tagil Metallurgic Works), one of the largest ironworks, is located. Morbidity was studied in junior schoolchildren by the results of medical examinations. Morbidity with temporary disability was also examined within 3 years of the study. Data on the urinary levels of benz(a)pyrene are presented in the paper. The findings are indicative of the aerogenic risk to the schoolchildren's health and the necessity of implanting nature conservation measures.

Studies of microsporogenesis in the Siberian larch growing in Krasnoyarsk and its suburbs have shown that meiosis starts in October. Microsporocytes winter at prophase I (leptoneme, diploneme). Reduction divisions in male generative buds are resumed and terminated in spring, in March. However, in the case of thaws during the autumn-winter period, meiotic division proceeds in the larch buds and this leads to the formation of degrading tetrads and pollen. Hence, the organic quiescence is absent in the larch in winter. It was shown that in the larch growing in the city, meiosis proceed more asynchronously than in the background tree stands. An increase of chromosomal aberrations during the reduction division was noted under the conditions of technogenic pollution.

The paper provides evidence that there is a relationship of daily death rates to variations in the concentrations of total dust and some gaseous ambient pollutants. The great advantage of a procedure to analyze temporary variables is that it makes it possible to retrospectively use the available materials of routine monitoring of air pollution and to consider these effects (cases of death in particular). Along with the high informative value of environmental and epidemiological surveys (EES) based on the analysis of time series, this advantage allows one to recommend them for widely use within the sociohygienic monitoring system. At the same time the paper shows it necessary to control the quality of available data and to chose monitoring centers comparable in this regard. Inevitable missing data on the concentrations of different pollutants on days off and on some working days are of particular value under the actual conditions of monitoring of air pollution. The approach applied in this study to the choice of the most effective ways of filling of such gaps may be recommended. Nevertheless, incomplete data and the need for their artificial reproduction should be regarded as a source of uncertainty of specific results of EES of this type. Increments in mortality rates for a certain increase in the concentrations of pollutants may be used in the risk assessment projects when a dose-response relationship is analyzed. The larger number of EES based on the analysis of time series will be conducted in the regions of Russia, the more reliable the use of EES-grounded single risks will be at the regional and federal level.

The paper deals with the impact of production of heavy oil and natural bitumens on the environment and human health. It provides a sanitary characteristics of the degree of ambient air pollution, the quality of reservoir and drinking water and soil in the areas of production of heavy oil and natural bitumens. Human health was studied in all age groups by medical and demographic indices and diseases. Hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, carbon oxide were found to be the leading pollutants in these areas. Production of heavy oil and natural bitumens pollutes surface and underground water-bearing horizons, which is a cause of worse conditions for the population to use water due to a 1.8-fold increase in water hardness and a 1.2-fold increase in the content of sulfates, chlorides, and nitrates, as compared to 1987-1991. The production of heavy oil and natural bitumens is a large source of soil pollution. The greatest soil pollution was observed in the areas of bitumen production by intraseam burning and vapour-heat exposure. There was a relationship of respiratory disorders to sulphur dioxide (r = 0.5-0.73) and hydrogen sulfide (r = 0.6-0.82), of blood and blood-forming organ diseases to nitrogen oxide (r = 0.58-0.79), and of nervous and sensory diseases to sulphur dioxide (r = 0.73-0.82). The study provided sanitary recommendations for environmental sanitation and health promotion in the areas of production of heavy oil and natural bitumens.

Laboratory experiments were performed to study cytoembryologic development of regenerative organs of wheat cult. 20-1-Shortstem and cult. Apogee in atmosphere with elevated concentration of ethylene. Development of wheat regenerative organs at a concentration of air ethylene of 1 mg/m3 resulted in peculiar changes in floret morphogenesis and partial or complete male barrenness. Cult. Apogee was found to be least vulnerable and, therefore, appears to be suitable for cultivation in greenhouses mounted in pressurized habitats including space station modules. Vulnerability of male reproductive organs in short-stem wheat to ethylene correlates convincingly with the sign of dwarfishness demonstrated by hybrid forms of one of praparents.

Based on the multiyear experience of hygienic control of the orbital stations, there are three causes of contingent air pollution: leakage of service system pipeline with chemical working bodies, spills of reagents used in biochemical and technological experiments, and air pollution by products of thermal oxidative degradation of nonmetallic materials. The authors describe their experience in successful elimination and prevention of hazardous consequences of fire aboard the space stations. Analysis of air pollution dynamics after actual fire events in the space station modules showed that it approximates a two-chamber air flow model with two phases of pollutant equilibration: first a rapid fall of concentration in the module on fire till air in the modules gets completely mixed, and then slow elimination of harmful pollutant from air. Identified were markers,--propylene and methylmetacrilate,--reacting to first signs of fire. Carbonic acid nitriles were recognized as toxic products of destruction. The positive effect of intermodular ventilation on dilution of toxic products of thermal oxidative destruction of materials was demonstrated. Satisfactory agreement of calculated and factual pollutant concentrations on board Mir permitted conclusion on applicability of the theoretical model to prediction of levels of air pollution due to contingency.

Comprehensive analysis of environmental pollution was made in 15 rural settlements of Orenburgsky and Perevolotsky districts located in the vicinity of gas-processing works. The ambient air, the blanket of snow, and drinking water were assessed for pollution. The drinking water and ambient air in vicinity of the works were found to be polluted by toxic substances.

Long-term observations of air quality in regions with developed petrochemical and oil-processing industry proved that the ambient air is significantly polluted and becomes a severe health hazard. Levels of the air pollution 3 km apart from the enterprises are high, those 10-20 km apart-moderate, those 30 and more km-mild. Materials of air pollution observations over 35 years demonstrate health changes in large population groups.

The research proved oil-processing, petrochemical and chemical enterprises to be potent releasers of chemical hazards containing in industrial waste. The petrochemical and oil enterprises pollute environment and deteriorate sanitary conditions in populated area. The residents evaluate actual ecologic danger adequately. Sociologic analysis of how city dwellers assess quality of their environment and health is quate objective indicator of urban ecology and could be assigned to priority methods of ecologic and hygienic studies.

The threshold irritable concentration of 2-allyl oxyethanol (2-AOE) in ambient air was determined at the level of 0.68 mg/m3. The threshold of chronic effect of 2-AOE is 0.075 mg/m3. The mean daily permissible concentration of 2-AOE is suggested at the level of 0.01 mg/m3.

The process of removal of the vapors of oxygen-bearing harmful organic contaminants, i.e. acetone, ethanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate from the air was studied. The treatment of contaminated air with a non-equilibrium discharge was shown to induce a series of sequentially parallel reactions purifying air by 30-85% and synthesizing ozone. The installation of an ozone-catalytic reactor next to plasmochemical would make possible air decontamination up to 93-95% at 60-65 degrees C and ambient pressure. The devised method of air revitalization offers some advantages over the standard system which utilizes the adsorption/catalytic principle, as it will not require regeneration of individual nodes.

Results of study of relationship between the incidence of allergic diseases in children and the level of atmospheric air pollution in Orenburg are presented. Data of research in 1988-1993 has shown a trend to increase of atmospheric pollution by NO2, H2S, and formaldehyde. Allergic morbidity was 121.38 per 1000 children.

Toxicity of natural zeolite dusts in 9 deposits of the Russian Federation and Georgia was investigated. Maximal permissible concentration of these dusts in ambient air on the level 0.03 mg/m3 is recommended. Maximal single concentrations of zeolite dust around natural zeolite extracting and processing enterprises in Georgia were given.

A method for determination of threshold and maximal noneffective concentrations in atmospheric air based on individual diagnostic characteristic of organism status is suggested. Comparative analysis of the main toxicometric parameters determined with the help of individual functional indices is made.

All existing individual protective means can not be applied to the life saving and the mall evacuation of people from fire due to their technical complexity and inadequate protective efficiency. The research work carried out by the authors served to produce a crucially new type of physiologically acceptable individual protective means against burning products and high environmental temperature.

In the mycological study of the air in working rooms at enterprises for the production of paprin and in the airspace of residential areas, as well as the study of the fungal contamination of the upper respiratory ways in workers and residents of the development zone, the isolation rate of the production fungal strains of the genus Candida from the nasopharynx was shown to depend on their content in the air. In the absence of producer microorganisms in the atmospheric air they were not detected among the population. The detection of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida on the pharyngeal mucosa is of sanitary demonstrative importance for the evaluation of the specific microbial contamination of the air in working rooms and the air space of the development zone. When the stable work of gas purification systems was ensured at modern enterprises for the production of protein vitamin concentrate no production strains were detected in the atmospheric air of the development zone and on the nasopharyngeal mucosa of the residents, which was indicative of the absence of any influence of gas and air discharges from these enterprises on the microbial contamination of the airspace.