Russian Bulletin of Hygiene

ISSN Print 2713-0878 ISSN Online 2713-0886

Russian Bulletin of Hygiene

BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF ERMC EASTERN EUROPEAN

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Konstantinova YuS, Chuyev AS

Microplastic pollution, which exerts both direct and indirect effects on human health, has emerged as one of the most pressing global environmental threats. We performed systematic analysis of pathways for microplastics migration through food chains, assessed the impact of microplastics on body’s physiological systems, estimated the existing risk reduction strategies. The review encompassed publications from the past decade, selected based on their relevance to the issue of microplastics intake with water and food products. Plastic waste, synthetic textiles, and food products have been identified as primary sources of pollution. Identification of microplastics in 93% of bottled water samples, along with the presence of hundreds of microparticles per kilogram of sea salt, confirms the magnitude of the exposure. It has been found that particles sized 0.1–150 µm can damage the intestinal epithelium, thereby inducing inflammation and oxidative stress; particles sized 2.5–10 µm reduce functional lung capacity; nanoplastics capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier exerts neurotoxicity. Membrane water purification methods exhibit efficiency of up to 99.9%. A comprehensive approach, including regulatory frameworks, technological solutions, and hygiene practices designed to disrupt the pathways through which microplastics enter the body, is necessary.

Received: 2025-10-12

Published online: 2026-03-30

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.157

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VIEWS 44

Kozelsky AS, Kaminer DD, Zharov AR, Korolik VV

There are many hazards a pathologist is exposed to professionally, including biological (pathogens), chemical (preservatives, reagents), physical (radiation, noise) factors, psycho-emotional stress, and ergonomic risks. Historically, the standardization of these factors and risks has lagged significantly behind practice. The digitalization of pathology (digital microscopy, telemedicine) mitigates some traditional hazards but generates new risks: visual stress, sedentary working conditions, exposure to electromagnetic fields, and psycho-emotional stress from using digital platforms. The history of standardization reflects progress in understanding the unique risks of the profession and the value of medical workers' health. Technological advances necessitate the continued updating of regulations. Thus far, too few studies have been conducted on the evolution of adverse factors and their sanitary and hygienic standardization in the work of pathologists. This review analyzes the development of a system of professional sanitary and hygienic standards for pathologists in Russia.

Received: 2025-11-14

Published online: 2026-03-27

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.156

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VIEWS 83

Kirillova AV, Tolmachev AP, Luzanova AS, Fedina EV

The issue of bullying prevention remains extremely urgent due to persistence of this social phenomenon in educational institutions. The paper reports a clinical case of the long functional neurological disorder in an adolescent female patient. The patient M.’s mental status at admission was determined by frequent manifest recurrent convulsive attacks with the prolonged loss of consciousness developed against the background of systematic bullying. The clinical features of the systematic attacks observed could indicate the disorder epileptic genesis. However, the series of laboratory and instrumental tests combined with consulting experts in psychiatry confirmed the somato-mental origin of convulsive conditions. Thus, it can be concluded that not every seizure syndrome is necessarily a manifestation of a neurological disorder. The reported example emphasizes the importance of preventing bullying in educational institutions, as well as raising awareness of individuals involved in the educational process about possible consequences of bullying in educational institutions and the importance of creating a comfortable and safe psychological environment.

Received: 2026-01-14

Published online: 2026-03-24

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.155

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VIEWS 74

Sukhoverkhova EA, Kopylov AS, Popov VI

The high prevalence of smoking and consumption of energy drinks among students is a significant medical and social problem. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these harmful habits on the quality of life of students of the Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, and to assess their awareness of the risks associated with such bad habits. We invited 442 second- and third-year students from the medical, pediatric, and dental faculties to complete O.I. Gubina's Quality of Life Assessment questionnaire. Energy drink drinking was found to be more prevalent than smoking; male participants practiced these habits significantly more often than female. Electronic cigarettes were the most common form of nicotine consumption. We established significant correlations of smoking with respiratory symptoms (the closest — with cough, r = 0.489; p < 0.05), and consumption of energy drinks — with tachycardia (r = 0.864; p < 0.05), sleep disorders (r = 0.251; p < 0.05), and headache (r = 0.217; p < 0.05). The quality of life was significantly lower in the groups of students with harmful habits, and the median values were minimal when the said habits were combined, especially on the "Health" and "Spirituality and Healthy Lifestyle" scales. Despite the awareness of harm, a significant part of students do not intend to give up harmful habits. The results of the study emphasize the need to develop prevention programs aimed at risk groups, primarily young men and people with combined addiction.

Received: 2025-12-26

Published online: 2026-03-20

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.154

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VIEWS 104

Gaydina TA, Milushkina OYu, Skoblina NA, Ievleva OV

Infectious skin diseases significantly reduce the quality of life in people over the age of 60 and can be considered age-related due to involutive skin changes and aging of the body. Older people with a difference in the clinical picture of the disease from the classical manifestations are more susceptible to individual dermatoses. The elderly are most at risk of contracting scabies. The aim of the work is to analyze the awareness of people over the age of 60 about infectious skin diseases and their prevention measures. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire in 2023−2025. The number of respondents over the age of 60 was 41 respondents, and all respondents were retirees in terms of social status. The study was conducted on the basis of Pirogov University and the Federal Medical Research Center of the FMBA of Russia, where, in case of hospitalization, patients were examined by a dermatovenerologist, and laboratory diagnostics were performed if infectious dermatoses were suspected. Some of the respondents did not demonstrate adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle: alcohol consumption is the highest among the risk factors for developing chronic noncommunicable diseases (75.0% for men and 40.0% for women). Respondents also note a high level of stress in daily life, 87.8%. The Internet is a source of information about a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of skin diseases for 34.1% of respondents. Among the surveyed respondents, there is a group of 20.0% who are insufficiently informed about "healthy skin" issues. Educating various groups of the population, increasing the level of medical literacy and medical activity can become a reserve for reducing the incidence rate and maintaining the incidence rate within controlled values.

Received: 2025-09-10

Published online: 2026-03-16

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.153

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VIEWS 94

Kuvshinova NM, Sokolova NV, Gubina OI, Karpukhina AV

Anxiety should be considered as impaired adaptation in a particular situation. It can negatively impact mental health, quality of life, overall well-being, and disrupt schoolchildren's education and development. The study aimed to assess how anxiety levels influence the academic achievement of today’s adolescents using psychodiagnostic tools. The researchers assessed levels of school-related, situational, and personal anxiety among ninth graders in Voronezh using the School Anxiety Test by B.N. Phillips and the Spielberger–Hanin Anxiety Scale, analyzing gender differences and the subsequent impact of anxiety on academic performance. Statistical methods were applied to the test data. The study found that most participating schoolchildren showed a normal level of anxiety. However, girls had higher levels than boys. As for the link between anxiety and academic performance, we did not identify an interconnection that, influenced by certain factors, may have a positive or a negative effect on the education-related productivity of adolescents. The results of this study complement the existing body of knowledge on the issue.

Received: 2025-10-02

Published online: 2026-03-06

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.152

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VIEWS 122

Rakhmanov RS, Bogomolova ES, Narutdinov DA, Razgulin SA, Shurkin DA

Environmental conditions and strenuous cognitive workload necessitate optimization of nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a predominantly plant-based product in improvement of the vitamin and mineral status of people engaged in intellectual labor. The formula for the product was developed after assessment of the said status and working conditions of the participants. The treatment group (n = 30) has been supplementing its diet with the product for 21 days, while the control group (n = 30) has not. The blood plasma levels of vitamins (B9 and B12, and 25(OH)D) and minerals (K, Na, ionized and total Ca, Fe, Mg, and P) were determined. By degree of strain, the considered occupations were classified as harmful strenuous work (class 3.2). Initially, the level of vitamin B9 in each group was in the "low−normal" zone. Through the experiment, in the treatment group it increased by 3.2−3.8%, while in the control group the said level dropped by 3.7−3.9%; the level of vitamin B12 increased by 36.7−46.7% and decreased in 23.3−36.7%, respectively, and that of 25(OH)D increased by 3.0% (p = 0.02) and decreased by 3.3% (p = 0.03). The level of ionized calcium in the treatment group increased by 7.0% (p = 0.001) and decreased by 50.0−53.3% in the control group. Iron levels increased by 3.1% in 80% of the treatment group participants (p = 0.04), and sodium levels increased by 0.9% (p = 0.04), which was 46.7−60.0% higher than the baseline values; in the control group, sodium levels dropped by 23.3−26.7%. No significant changes were recorded for the levels of K, total Ca, P, Mg, but at the level of individual indicators we observed multidirectional changes. Thus, the use of the multicomponent plant-based product demonstrates the promise of this approach for preventing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Received: 2025-06-25

Published online: 2026-03-03

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.151

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VIEWS 219

Dementiev AA, Solovyev DA, Tsurgan AM, Kopaev IV, Osadets AYu

Systematic and purposeful campaigns designed to promote a healthy lifestyle among the youth are a strategic task for the healthcare system and the state in general. This study aimed to explore the hygienic features of the lifestyle of medical students. It involved 109 students of medical faculties aged 18-26 years, who participated in an anonymous online survey created in Yandex Forms in accordance with MR (methodical recommendations) 2.1.10.0033-11. We calculated the relative values and their confidence intervals, and the significance of the differences was assessed using the chi-square test (χ2) at p < 0.05. It was found that active smoking remains a significant behavioral risk among medical students, particularly males (27.3%). The majority of medical students do not engage in adequate levels of physical activity (64.2%) and do not get sufficient sleep at night (77.9%). As for the patterns of behavior in the context of medical assistance, those rather common among medical students are categorized as irresponsible: many visit a doctor only in case of serious symptoms of the disease (54.1%), undergo medical checkups in an untimely fashion (31.5%), do not follow doctor's instructions and stop course treatments early (37.6%), practice self-medication (85.3%), resort to traditional medicine (55.1%). Every fifth respondent did not follow the rules of hand washing, and 17.4% did not take daily care of their body. Unsafe forms of sexual behavior are typical for every fifth medical student. Thus, prevention and correction of the identified lifestyle risk factors hold significant potential for preserving the health of medical students.

Received: 2025-05-05

Published online: 2026-03-01

DOI: 10.24075/rbh.2026.150

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VIEWS 127