[Levels of exposure to metals in population of Pechenga district of Murmansk region].

Serum levels of zincum, lead, nickel and mercury decrease in a row <>; average levels of manganese, cobalt, copper and arsenic are higher among females; in pregnant women serum levels of most metals are the lowest. If compared to the WHO. reference, levels of metals in whole blood demonstrated no excess in cobalt and cadmium, nearly absent - in arsenic, increased percentage of excess (but insignificant values) in copper and zincum, extremely high percentage of excess (and significant values) in manganese and nickel. Maximal manganese concentrations in blood reach 300 micrograms/I, those of nickel - 100 micrograms/I. Average blood concentrations of mercury in the examinees do not reach the most severe <> (S micrograms/1), and shares of men and women with blood concentrations of mercury over this limit are relatively small. Average blood concentrations of lead in the examinees do not reach lower allowable level (50 micrograms/1).

[Metallic content of water sources and drinkable water in industrial cities of Murmansk region].

Performed in 2013, sampling of centralized and noncentralized water-supply and analysis of engineering technology materials on household water use in 6 cities of Murmansk region (Nikel, Zapolyarny, Olenegorsk, Montchegorsk, Apatity, Kirovsk), subjected to industrial emissions, enabled to evaluate and compare levels of 15 metals in water sources (lakes and springs) and the cities' drinkable waters. Findings are that some cities lack sanitary protection zones for water sources, most cities require preliminary water processing, water desinfection involves only chlorination. Concentrations of most metals in water samples from all the cities at the points of water intake, water preparation and water supply are within the hygienic norms. But values significantly (2-5 times) exceeding MACs (both in water sources and in drinkable waters of the cities) were seen for aluminium in Kirovsk city and for nickel in Zapolarny and Nikel cities. To decrease effects of aluminium, nickel and their compounds in the three cities' residents (and preserve health of the population and offsprings), the authors necessitate specification and adaptation of measures to purify the drinkable waters from the pollutants. In all the cities studied, significantly increased concentrations of iron and other metals were seen during water transportation from the source to the city supply--that necessitates replacement of depreciated water supply systems by modern ones. Water taken from Petchenga region springs demonstrated relatively low levels of metals, except from strontium and barium.

[Metal content of local foods in Pechenga district of Murmansk region].

Within international project KolArctic "Food safety and health in frontier area of Russia, Finland and Norway", the study covered local food sampling in Pechenga district of Murmansk region during autumn of 2013, including fish (from 6 lakes), game, mushrooms, wild and cultivated berries, vegetables from private gardens situated at various distances from Nickel and Zapolarnyi settlements, also polling among 400 residents. Levels of 13 metals in the foods were assessed in "Taifun" laboratory. MACs for cadmium was 1.5-2 times exceeded in mushrooms (lamellate and tubular), that for mercury was up to 3 times exceeded in aspen mushrooms. Fresh-water fish appeared to contain the highest levels of mercury, close to MAC. Assessing levels of other metals that were previously normalized in USSR, the findings are 1.5 times exceeded MAC for copper in milk mushrooms, MAC for nickel was 4.5 times exceeded in wild berries, 2.5 times exceeded in cultivated berries, 2 times exceeded in potatoes and 2.5 to 30 times exceeded in mushrooms. Mushrooms have to be considered as major sorbents of total complex of the metals under study. Fresh-water fish is foodstuff mostly contaminated with mercury. Highly toxic nickel has to be considered as a major factor of exposure (and health risk) among the population under study. The data obtained help to specify recommendations on restricting some food items and reducing health risk for the residents subjected to industrial releases from "Pechenganickel" enterprise.

[Evaluating health risk caused by exposure to metals in local foods and drinkable water in Pechenga district of Murmansk region].

Total average daily intake of metals with local food by natives equalled: Cu 2%, Pb 6%, Cd 22%, Hg 40%, Ni 66%, As 157%--in comparison with allowable daily intake. Mushrooms are responsible for total intake of 35% Pb, 55% Cu, 61% Ni and 91% Cd; fish gives 83% Hg and 75% As. The natives' exposure to Ni is caused by mushrooms, wild and cultivated berries and vegetables, exposure to Cd--by mushrooms, that to Hg--by freshwater fish, exposure to As--by salmon and cod. Drinkable water contribution into exposure to metals is negligibly small for Hg, Cd, Pb and Cu, mild for As and considerable for Ni (23%). Total carcinogenous risk with Cu and Pb are negligible, with Cd is 0.22, with Hg 0.39, with Ni 0.81, with As 1.62, with totality of metals for total foods and water--3.1. Total carcinogenous risks with Pb are minimal (less than 10(-6)), with Cd--allowable (less than 10(-5)), with As--average (less than 10(-3)), with Ni--high (10(-2)), with totality of metals for total foods and water--1.25 x 10(-2). Increased health risks revealed necessitate recommendations on reduction/exclusion of some local foods intake by the natives and measures on drinkable water purification from nickel, or usage of other sources of clear water.