Arsenic contamination in environment in the region of Vojvodina.

Ground waters in the region of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia are endangered by arsenic (up to 0.750 mg/l). Total arsenic concentration was determined In samples of untreated and treated water from some local and central water-supply systems. Results are compared to actual regulations in the country. This analysis encompassed 324 drinking water samples of various sources, analyzed in the Institute of Public Health Novi Sad, during 2005. Determined concentration of total arsenic in drinking water varies from 0.005 to 0.450 mg/l. Arsenic concentration in the river Danube water was within recommended value for I-II class. Maximum arsenic daily intake through food and nutrition was 60.9 +/- 22.3 microg/day in 2000. To understand importance of the problem of arsenic environment contamination in Vojvodina region, our own results, as well as the results of other authors are presented and analyzed (drinking water: 173 samples, moss deposition and daily intake through nutrition).

[Health and environment].

INTRODUCTION: The Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, is responsible for undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of preventive medicine. The principal task of physicians in the 21st century is to provide health promotion and desease prevention. In the future, evaluation of physician knowledge and competence will be predominantly based on patients' health conditions. HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT: Human health is a result of long-term interaction between human genome and the environment. Good human health requires permanent control of health conditions as well as control of environmental health hazards. Various environmental factors, such as physical, chemical, biological, social and economic, affect the population health. Air, drinking water and food are fundamental to the existence of life of all living beings on Earth, and therefore they have enormous influence on the health of individuals and populations. CONCLUSION: The significance of the above mentioned requirements, essential for human health, is the reason why the Department of Hygiene conducted an investigation on the quality of air, food and water (water is a foodstuff as well) in Vojvodina.

[Air pollution and population health].

In the last few decades, there has been increased population concern for quality of environment, for it is, after life style, the second risk factor of disease development. Particular problem is that a large majority of serious impairments of health is manifested only after a long latent period, so it is not always possible to establish clear association with environmental factors. It is considered today that around 40% of lethal cases are caused by polluted environment in various ways, while environment is the most important etiologic factor in 5% of disease incidence. Problems arising due to environment pollution are most frequently related to air pollution. The World Resource Institute, Washington, has developed the indicators for evaluation of risk of environment pollution to population health. There is one common indicator both for developed and developing countries--air pollution. EPA recommended new standards for some polluting substances. The document reviewed these standards and their implementation in our community. New Law on Environment Protection ("Official Gazette of RS" No. 135/2004) from December 20th, 2004, followed by relevant documents on air quality, should be beneficial to experts at the level of subtle diagnostics and proposal of adequate measures with a view to improve the quality of life.

[Water quality: legislation--our country and European Union].

Water quality and water supply system in our country are primarily related to inadequate environment management in 1990s, due to poor economic situation in the country and insufficient investments. With a view to improve conditions of environment, strategic documents at various levels have been adopted. One of these, water-supply basis for Serbia 2002-2012, was adopted by Government of the Republic of Serbia in 2002, which defined basic strategy for water management. Law on Environment Protection (2004) provides basis and possibility of further applicability of EU directions complying with respective standards. Apparent trend in this field is tendency of setting up certain standards for each purpose (Council Directive 75/440/EEC, Council Directive 76/160/EEC) as well as for some types of water systems (rivers, lakes, ground waters). Our paper presents the most important regulations of the Republic Serbia and EU in the field of water quality management, control of water quality in our country, monitoring, that would, followed by adequate information system, contribute to quality improvement of ambient and drinking waters.

[Collaboration in the field of public health in South Eastern Europe]. / Saradnja u oblasti javnog zdravstva u jugoistocnoj evropi.

INTRODUCTION: Southeastern Europe faces shortage of interest in modern program of public health education and research, and in mutual cooperation and cooperation with countries of European Union. In 2000, Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe has initiated a project: "Academic Programmes for Training and Research in Public Health in South Eastern Europe". The project named "Agreement on Collaboration of the Public Health Consortium for South Eastern Europe (PH-SEE) provides many opportunities to advance the cooperation and student exchange during post graduate studies. ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE: Academic programs include education of how to use Internet material in regard to public health from relevant areas and select skilled coordinatiors. 10 appropriate curricula have been developed with many models and most can be expanded. AGREEMENT ON COLLABORATION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH CONSORTIUM FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE: This document has the objective of establishing a formal agreement between the members of the Network enabling cooperation and student exchange programs during postgraduate studies. It supports the mobility of postgraduate students in their scientific or practical work, awards student scholarships or acquiring diploma at foreign universities. Each member of this network will support progress in the frame of mutual research and identify program priorities based on unilateral and multilateral cooperation in public health. CONCLUSION: Work on the project "Academic Programmes for Training and Research in Public Health in South Eastern Europe" has to be considered continual, including some colleagues who have interest in preventive medicine and in other areas. Agreement on Collaboration offers younger generations an opportunity for scientific training. According to recently signed Bologna Declaration, we are free to create a school of public health, and it becomes also our obligation.

Pesticides and the environment.

In the period 1981-2000, an investigation was conducted on organochlorine insecticide (OCI) residues in the environment and their effects on human health. The analyses encompassed drinking and surface waters, air, foodstuffs, ready-made meals, human serum and human autopsy material. OCI residues were not detected in drinking water originating from great distributive systems in Vojvodina (purified and conditioned water) but in some sub-artesian wells there were HCH and aldrin residues. OCI residues were quantified in surface water of the river Danube which is in the required group, except for HCH in 1990/91, when it was in the III-IV group. Air was analyzed in Novi Sad, Zrenjanin, Kikinda, Beojin and Apatin. OCI residues are regularly tested in Zrenjanin (1996-2000): the most frequently detected are: HCH residues (37.83% samples), lindane (21.72% samples), heptachlor (17.60% samples) and rarely DTD and aldrin; aldrin (in traces), heptachlor and HCH were detected in Novi Sad. Heptachlor, lindane and HCH were also rarely determined in Kikinda. OCI have an affinity for fat tissues and their residues can be found particularly in foodstuffs originating from animals. They are not eliminated by thermal processing and it was established in pre-school institutions, student restaurants and homes for the aging; most frequently detected was p,p 'DDE isomer, rarely p,p 'DDT as well as HCH and rarely lindane. Although use of OCI is forbidden, due to their long persistence in the environment, they can be found in human tissues, which was proved by human serum analyses. Analyses of human autopsy material indicated presence of DDT metabolite--p,p 'DDE as well as lindane in all analyzed samples (brain, liver, fat and tumorous tissues).