[THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED REGION].

There was performed an assessment of the quality of the environment and the state of health of the child population of the one out of industrialized regions of the Moscow region. There were determined priority risk factors for diseases of the respiratory system and skin. The indices and the structure of morbidity rate were analyzed according to the incidence of outpatient visits. There was developed a comprehensive hygienic model for the preventive and therapeutic activities aimed at the improvement of the environment and reduction of the morbidity rate in children's population.

[The prevalence and structure of ENT diseases in the children residing in the industrial regions].

The present study was designed to evaluate the state of the ENT organs in the children residing in the industrial regions characterized by the enhanced level of atmospheric pollution. The results of the correlation analysis of the data obtained confirm the strong cause-and-effect relationship between the pathologies of the upper respiratory tract (such as allergic and catarrhal rhinitis, chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, inflammatory tonsillar diseases, and adenoid vegetations), impaired local immune reactivity, and the index of general air pollution including that with nitrous dioxide, phenols, and particulate matter. The results of the study suggest the necessity of more active detection of ENT diseases in the children at the early stages of their development together with regular medical examinations, and the implementation of purpose-oriented prophylactic, therapeutic, and health promoting measures.

[On the discussion of the new aspects of the occupational hearing loss classification].

The objective of the present work was to analyse the materials of verification of the newly developed classification of occupational hearing loss harmonized with the international criteria an medico-social expertise of hearing impairment. The classification is designed for the practical application in the clinical work of otorhinolaryngologists, occupational pathologists, and medico-social experts who must practice the identical approaches at all stages of the preliminary and final diagnostics of occupational ear diseases, competence assurance, and social maintenance for the subjects presenting with hearing disorders. The authors emphasize the importance of taking account of presbyacusis characteristics at the stage of pre-nosological changes of the hearing function in the subjects exposed to strong occupational noise, i.e. prior to the appearance of the «signs of noise influence on the organs of hearing". Such an approach makes it possible to eliminate the discrepancies in drawing conclusion about the presence of presbyacusis or "signs of noise influence on the organs of hearing".

[Diseases of the lymphopharyngeal ring in the employees engaged in dust-producing industries].

The objective of the present work was to study changes in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract of the employees subjected to the action of industrial aerosols. The clinically and functionally significant mucosal changes in the nasal cavity and pharynx induced by industrially-derived irritants are described, the classification of nosological forms of the diseases of upper respiratory tract is proposed based on the character and extent of the pathological process, the criteria for occupational chronic rhinopharyngolaryngitis have been developed. The frequency of development of pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract (UPT) in the workers undergoing effects of industrial aerosols (IA) is shown to amount to 89%. The highest dust concentrations to which such persons were exposed are known to occur in coal, metal, timber, textile, and cotton industries as well as in certain branches of machine-building and agricultural industries. The industrial environment not infrequently contains dust of the mixed composition, such as mineral, metallic, organic, and synthetic particulate components. The authors propose the classification of pathological changes in the UPT mucosa. It is emphasized that rhinopharyngolaryngites are included in the List of occupational diseases approved by the Russian Ministry of Health on 27 April 2012.

[Current aspects of harmonization of classification of occupational hearing loss].

The objective of the present work was to develop unified criteria for the evaluation of the severity of noise-induced hearing loss. Current approaches to taking expert decisions based on the results of medical examination of the patients with impaired hearing are substantially different due to the considerable difference between the criteria for the estimation of hearing envisaged by the international classification, occupational pathology classification, and the national system of medico-social expertise. We undertook an attempt to correct and harmonize the existing criteria for the estimation of severity of occupational hearing loss based on the integration of all the three classification in order to "reduce them to a common denominator" and thereby to ensure the basis for the unified diagnostic and expert decisions for the cases of hearing impairment of any etiology. The project proposed in this paper makes it possible to use unified criteria for the assessment of the degree of hearing loss caused by occupational noises for diagnostic purposes and expertise compatible with the internationally accepted approaches.

[Peculiarities of the development of occupational deafness in the workers of "noisy" professions employed in experimental mechanical engineering].

The objective of this work was to evaluate the health status and hearing function in the workers employed in experimental mechanical engineering and exposed to the combined effect of noise and occupational psychoemotional stress. The authors describe specific clinico-audiological characteristics of hearing disturbances diagnosed with the help up-to-date highly informative and objective methods for the evaluation of the function of acoustic analyzer, such as impedancometry, threshold tonal high-frequency audiometry, registration of distortion product otoacoustic emission. Criteria for the early diagnosis of neurosensory loss of hearing of <

[The risk of occupational neurosensory loss of hearing in the workers employed in coal and ore mining industries].

This clinico-audiological study included 983 workers engaged in coal and ore mining exposed to combined effect of occupational noise and vibration. Pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the development of occupational deafness were shown to depend on intensity and duration of the action of these factors. Impedancometry was used to evaluate the functional state of the middle ear and to study protective and adaptive potential of ear muscles. Criteria are proposed for the identification of groups of workers at risk of development of occupational deafness. The relationship between individual features of cerebral hemodynamics and the functional state of the middle ear is established.

[Potential of acureflexotherapy for the diagnosis and treatment of occupational loss of hearing].

The present in-depth clinical and audiologic study with the use of the Nakatani reflexodiagnostic technique included 240 subjects employed in mechanical engineering, coal and ore mining industries exposed to occupational noise and vibration in excess of the maximally permissible level (MPL). Results of the study confirm the effectiveness of Nakatani's express-method for the vocational selection and designation of groups at risk of occupational neurosensory loss of hearing. The study was also designed to evaluate results of combined treatment of bilateral neurosensory deafness by reflexotherapy. It is concluded based on the results of audiometry that such treatment resulted in improved hearing of frequencies from 500 to 8000 Hz (by 10-15 dB) in more than half of the treated subjects.

[Reaction of upper respiratory tracts, cochlear and vestibular analyzers to the combined action of physical and chemical factors of the working environment].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinico-functional state of mucosa of upper respiratory tracts, acoustic and vestibular analyzers in 638 workers opertating different techniques of plasma metal processing and exposed to different combinations of high-frequency occupational noise and toxic dust-gas mixtures containing ozone, nitric oxides, and composite aerosols. The study revealed high frequency of inflammatory and dystrophic changes in upper respiratory mucosa, functional disturbances in the vestibular analyzer and neurosensory sound-perceiving apparatus. The character and degree of these clinico-functional changes were shown to depend on a peculiar combination of the strength and duration of environmental factors affecting the above morphological structures.

[Specific features of the development of pathology of the upper respiratory tracts in the workers employed in the ore mining industry in the subarctic regions].

Criteria for the risk of development of occupational pathology of the upper respiratory tracts in the workers employed in the ore mining industry have been proposed based on the results of evaluation of the occurrence of pathological changes, morpho-functional characteristics of upper respiratory tract mucosa, and immunological properties. These criteria provide a basis for the development of differential approach to the choice of priority hygienic and medical preventive measures designed to a lower the risk of respiratory organ pathology.

[Features of psychoemotional state and arterial hypertension course in mental workers].

The authors studied features of work activity and their influence on arterial hypertension course in administrative and management personnel.

[Cardiovascular diseases in workers engaged into metal mining industry and mechanical engineering].

Peculiarities of cardiovascular diseases among workers exposed to noise and vibration include hyperkinetic hemodynamic type supporting early terms of cardiovascular functions disorder. Veloergometry and echocardiography are highly informative and diagnostic value, so helpful in early diagnosis of circulatory disorders. The authors specified objective criteria of risk associated with occupationally related cardiovascular diseases.

[Topical problems of occupational deafness].

The article covers up-to-date state of occupational deafness problem, its importance in occupational therapy. The authors defined topical directions of research in contemporary diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of "noise-related" deafness.

[Occupational hazads in metal mining industry].

Miners of basic professions employed in contemporary metal mining industry are exposed to a range of industrial factors, such as vibration, noise, dustiness, and unfavorable microclimate. Long-term exposure to these factors is hazardous to their health, which is manifested by elevated general and occupational morbidity and a higher rate of biological aging. This is most typical of Far North miners, who are exposed to the combination of the industrial factors and extremal climate and geographic conditions. Research into the health status of miners engaged to underground works and open excavations in regions with contrasting climate and geographic conditions, allowed determination of main industrial risk factors (vibration and noise), leading occupational diseases and groups of high risk of their development (according to the occupation and the length of service). The study found high risk of cardivascular diseases as well as pathology of the musculoskeletal system, which was highest in miners in Norilsk region.

[Monitoring parameter of respiratory biomechanics in coal miners]. / Monitoring pokazatelei biomekhaniki dykhaniia u shakhterov-ugol'shchikov.

Using computer spirography with registration of "flow-volume" curve for forced expiration, the authors monitored the most informative parameters of respiratory biomechanics in coal miners having preclinical chronic dust bronchitis. Revealed decrease of the ventilation values by 10-20% from the initial ones outlines the group with increased risk for chronic dust bronchitis.

[Otological effects of the impulse noise]. / Otologicheskie éffekty impul'snogo shuma.

Literature data are reviewed on otoacoustic emission which is not widely known in Russia as a method of assessing acoustic function. Normal parameters of otoacoustic emission obtained in subjects with normal hearing are provided.

[Hearing function of workers of "noisy" occupations at the Podolsk machinery plant and effectiveness of therapeutic measures]. / Slukhovaia funktsiia u rabochikh "shumovykh" professii Podol'skogo mashinostroitel'nogo zavoda i éfffektivnost' lechebno-ozdorovitel'nykh meropriiatii.

In recent years noise and vibration have become dominant hazards influencing workers' health. A significant share of the resulting disease in covered by occupational deafness. The article demonstrates data of hearing examination among 262 workers exposed to intermittent noise of 95-100 dB A. Slow progress of occupational deafness and bilateral cochlear neuritis with over 15 years of service appeared to be characteristic for the examinees. Helium neon laser applied on mastoid process and general improving treatment appeared to be effective.