Changes of some health indices among people from ecologically hazardous region in Bulgaria during the years of transition to market economy

A comprehensive interdisciplinary research was carried out to analyze the influence of low-degree atmospheric pollution on health. The region of Dimitrovgrad was selected as suitable for the research. It was established that as a result of the decreased production capacity or full close down of some manufactures after the beginning of the transition to market economy (1989), the atmospheric pollution sharply decreased. The morbidity rate recorded, which had always been around 30-33% above the average for the country until 1989, for the first time leveled with it and it was respectively 1335.5%o compared to 1334.6% average for the country, p>0.05. Two prospective cohort researches (in 4 consecutive years each) for following the dynamics of physical development and respiratory functions in 2 groups of 10 ten years old children (at the beginning of the research) were carried out. The first group was investigated in 1996, ’97, ’98 and ’99, and the second one - in 2001, ’02, ’03 and ’04. No significant differences in the physical development between the two groups of children have been reported but most of the respiratory indexes in the first group, and especially during the first and second cycle of the research, were statistically reliably lower compared to the second group. This correlates to the higher levels of atmospheric pollution at which children from the first group live in. The results from these researches show that the children living in conditions of higher atmospheric pollution have more unfavorable records compared to those living in conditions of lower levels of atmospheric pollution.Целью настоящего исследования было проанализировать изменения здоровья населения при снижении атмосферного загрязнения за годы перехода к рыночной экономике. Была дана характеристика атмосферного загрязнения постоянных и самых значимых загрязнителей пыли и диоксида серы за 25-летний период (1980-2004 г.), а также и остальных системно контролируемых загрязнителей (РЬ, N02, H2S и NH3) за период изучения (1996-2004). Была проанализирована заболеваемость по обращению за медицинской помощью населения в Димитровграде до и после начала перехода к рыночной экономике - за 1987-89 г. в сравнении с 1990-1992 г. Были проведены проспективые эпидемиологические исследования динамических изменений физического развития и дыхательных функции двух групп детей: Первая группа -107 детей, рождены в 1984-1985 г. и живущие в первые годы жизни в условиях интенсивного атмосферного загрязнения, в возрасте (X±SD) 10,40±0,55 лет при первом цикле изучения, исследованные в 1996,1997,1998 и 1999 г. Вторая группа -120 детей в возрасте 10,38±0,50 (в первом цикле исследования), рожденых в 1991 г. после резкого производственого спада и живущие в значительно более низком уровне загрязнения в сравнении с первой группой; исследования проведены в 2001, 2002,2003 и 2004 году. Результаты: анализ антропометрических данных не показывает статистически значимые различия в физическом развитии двух исследованых контингентов за весь период исследования. Средний уровень всех показателей, характеризующих функцию дыхания, соответствует референтным уровням, но они сравнительно выше у детей, живущих при более низком уровне загрязнения. Заключения: сниженный уровень атмосферного загрязнения, сопровождающий начальный этап перехода Болгарии к рыночной экономике, привел к значительному и достоверному понижению уровня общей заболеваемости населения. Полученные данные показывают, что даже низкие концентрации загрязнения атмосферного воздуха неблагоприятно влияют на показатели дыхательной функции подростков. Результаты этого исследования показывают, что необходим пересмотр некоторых из действующих нормативных уровней атмосферного загрянения

Administration of Bioflavonoides Improves Plasma Levels of Adipocyte Hormones

Since time immemorial the fruits of aronia melanocarpa (rich of bioflavonoides) have been known for their medicinal properties. Present-day research of the pharmacological effects of aronia melanocarpa juice and fruits intake indicates that their high contents of anthocyanins is closely related to the health enhancing properties of this plant. This is a key fact which can be used in the prevention of most commonly spread, socially significant diseases, reducing for instance the total risk of cardio-vascular diseases. The great molecular variety anthocyanins possess and the role they play in cell metabolism, are still being investigated. This gives grounds to study the effects of Aronia melanocarpa on human cells, tissues, and organs. The aim of this study is to trace the effect of 150-200 ml aronia melanokarpa juice daily oral intake on the adipocyte hormones leptin (Lp), resistine (Rs) and adiponectin (Adn) blood levels in 10 patients with high body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and high waist circumference. We used ELISA methods for hormonal analyses. During the study-period of two months patients did not change anything in their lifestyle. In the study group, the levels of Rs, Lp and Adn changed significantly compared to their baseline levels (averages, ng/mL) - 6.93 ± 0.137, 18.40 ±1.021 and 7.98 ± 0.077 vs. 5.06 ± 0.011, 15.23 ± 0.906 and 10.45 ± 0.103 at the end of the second month, respectively. Compared with the control group of 6 people, matched for BMI, not receiving aronia melanocarpa juice, these values were markedly different. Patients taking aronia melanokarpa juice report improvement in various conditions that have caused them discomfort before the research started: pain in the muscles and joints faded away and were replaced by a new feeling of strength, headache attacks disappeared, improvement in memory and sleep were reported, regular defecation, no signs of gastric discomfort, better vision, a quicker auditory reaction, motivation for having sex, good mood were also reported. Obese patients with insulin resistance have decreased serum adiponectin and increased serum resistin and leptin. The levels of these three hormones changed positively after chronic intake of aronia juice. We recommend a daily intake of aronia juice for the prevention of health

A study on the effect of auto transport pollution on children`s and adolescent`s health

Scripta Scientifica Medica 2007; 39(2):119-12

Characteristics of respiratory functions and physical capacity in children living under conditions of low-degree air pollution

Introduction: Air pollution has considerably decreased in many of the urbanized territories in Europe in the last 10 to 15 years, as compared to its levels in the middle of the previous century. This is the reason why nowadays the indicators morbidity and mortality, widely used at the time to assess health, are not effective enough. Under the contemporary conditions of lower concentrations of air pollutants, much more precise methods are required to characterize the consequences of air pollution for the health. The aim of the present study was to analyze respiratory functions and physical capacity in children living under conditions of low degree air pollution.Methods: In 2004 we carried out a complete functional study of respiration and a cardiopulmonary exercise testing among 93 children (50 boys/43 girls) aged 13.36±0.53 (X±SD) years. According to data of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Resources, the latter live at air pollutant levels which are under or a little above the maximum admissible concentrations. Results: The mean annual concentrations of controlled pollutants were: (X±SE): TSPM (mg/m3) - 0.13±0.035, SO2 (mg/m3) - 29.70±7.757, NO2 (mg/m3) - 10.76±0.791, H2S (mg/m3) - 0.05±0.020, Pb (mg/m3) - 0.06±0.009, NH3 (mg/m3) - 0.02±0.010.Results: No deviations were observed in the mean values of the functional indices analyzed, which were over 40 in number, with regard to the referent levels for the respective age and sex (X±SD): VC - 3.50±0.62 L, FVC - 3.43±0.63 L, FEV1 - 3.14±0.56 L, Tiffneau - 89.79±5.18%, etc. The individual assessment showed lower values for some indices (predominantly in the boys) - TLCpred under 90% (81.6÷89.8%), MEF50pred under 70% (58.1÷65.6%), MHF25pred under 60% (34.7÷53.4), TLCOpred under 80% (62.6÷79.9), etc.Conclusions: No pathologic changes were observed in the external breathing and physical capacity of the majority of the children studied, although in the more susceptible ones low degree air pollution caused reduction in some indices. The study of external breathing and physical capacity are adequate methods for health assessment of the influence of low degree pollution.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 81-84

A study of the effectiveness of the administrative anti-smoking measures in work and public places in the town of Haskovo

Scripta Scientifica Medica 2007; 39(2):115-11

Analysis of some health indicators with former miners

Up to 1998-1999 the Saje Mine operated in the village of Sarnitza (extraction of lead-zinc ores) and the wastewaters from it were draining away in the Trakietz Dam Lake. This reservoir was used, as recently as three years ago, for drinking-water supply to the city of Haskovo. The population which has consumed water for drinking and household needs from the nearby Trakietz Dam Lake is nearly 26 000 people. Because of the significant effect of heavy metals and ionizing radiation on human health we set as our goal to study the concentration of some of them in biological material collected from former miners and people living in close proximity to old mines. An active survey was done of all studied people. The average concentrations in blood of miners: Pb - 66.50 mg /l, Cd - 1.12mg /l, Cu in blood serum - 15.68, Zn-in blood serum - 18.58mg /l, As - in urine test-13.84 mg/l. The average concentrations in people: Pb -149.13 mg /l, Cd -3.37mg /l, Cu serum-15.69 mg /l, Zn -16.22 mg /l, As - 18.72 mg /l.Conclusion:1.Increased levels of Pb are found in 4.34% and boundary values in 21.7% of the former miners which may be the reason for the larger percentage of miners with high blood pressure, as well as the big share of diseases of the nervous system (8.69%).2. Higher values of Cd were found in 43.48 % of the miners, which correlates with the increased percentage of kidney diseases in the exposed group, and could be due to professional exposure in the past.3. There is no evidence of Cd contamination of drinking water.4. The content of Cu and Zn in the serum of all tested individuals is within the referential boundaries.5. The concentration of As in the urine samples of all tested individuals is within the referential values.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 85-89

Content of heavy metals, uranium, radium and radon in drinking water from underground water sources in proximity to old mines

Regional Inspectorate of Protection and Control of Public Health - Haskovo In the Haskovo Province polymetal deposit fields have operated for many years. Some of them are the lead-zinc deposits near the villages of Sarnitza, Boyan Botevo, and Spahievo. Besides these, uranium deposits were mined in the past: The Fountain Plot is part of the Haskovo uranium-ore deposit and is situated 6 km to the west of the Bolyarovo district. Taking into consideration that in the past, a number of mines operated on the territory of the city of Haskovo and the Mineral bath Municipality, and also the absence of research into possible contamination of subterranean waters from them, we set a goal to investigate whether there is a Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, U-234, U-235, U-238, Ra-226 and Rn-222 contamination of drinking water from the central water sources located in close proximity to the old mines in the Haskovo and Mineral bath Municipalities. In the month of November 2007 we collected 6 water samples from the above-mentioned water sources to investigate presence of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and As and to determining of the radiological indicators and taking and test of drinking water from 9 pumping stations for establishing the level of Rn-222. Content of heavy metals in drinking water from the studied pumping stations are: Pb: of 0 to < 0.004 mg/dm3, Cd: of 0 to < 0.004 mg/dm3, Zn: of <0.013 to 0.402 ±0.005 mg/dm3, Cu: of 0 to <0.018 mg/dm3, As: of 0.00095 ±0.00002 mg/dm3 to 0.0130 ±0.0002 mg/dm3. Content of uranium, radium-226 and total β-activity in drinking water from studied 6 pumping station are: U-238: of 0.0025±20% to <0.0250 mg/l, Ra-226: of 0.0481±25%Bq/l to 0.1315±25%Bq/l and Rn-222 in 9 central water source in the Haskovo town and Mineral bath Municipality are: of 3.5±0.6Bq/l to 185.5 ±10.4Bq/l. The total β -activity vary of 0.11 ±10%Bq/l to 1.12 ±10%Bq/l .ConclusionThe content of heavy metals in the studied water sources is within the per missible hygiene standard levels.The studied drinking water is not hazardous to the health of the consumers. The radiation analysis shows that the overall indicative dose is below 0.10mSv/year), which corresponds to the ordinance documents.The established levels of radon in the studied drinking water are probably due to contamination from the exploited uranium fields in the past.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 75-80

On some problems with breastfeeding of infants

The aim of the present study is to analyze breastfeeding with children from the city of Plovdiv.Material and methods: The initial information was collected in the month of June 2005 through a retrospective passive survey conducted with 200 mothers whose children attended 2 day care centers and 2 kindergartens in the city of Plovdiv. The survey questionnaire formulated by the research team included two sets of questions: Relating to the mother and relating to the child.Results: At the time of giving birth to the children participating in the survey, the greatest relative share was of mothers at the age of 24 to 30 (64.21%), followed by those at the age of 31-35 - 8.95%. According to their level of education, the highest percentage is of mothers with secondary (55.7%) and higher (41.58%) education; there are no mothers with elementary education, and those without any school attendance are 1.58%. Only 4 (2.10%) of the surveyed women did not breastfeed their children at all. 68.95% of the surveyed women claim that they do not know anything about the `exclusive breastfeeding` method which is recommended by WHO. The most frequent reason for the mothers to cease breastfeeding was insufficiency of breast milk - in 26.84% of the cases, followed by `Others` - 11.5%, `˜Health problems of the mothers` - 3.16%, `˜The infant consistently did not gain enough weight` - 1.05%, etc. The average anthropometric indicators of the children (both at the time of birth, and the current readings) correspond to Bulgarian standards.Conclusions: 1.Almost all mothers taking part in the survey (97.89%) wanted to and started to breastfeed their infants. The main reason for the discontinuance of breastfeeding is the insufficient amount of their breast milk. 2. The relative share of the mothers who did not feel prepared for breastfeeding is large. 3. There is evidence that the medical workers in the birth preparation centers have unsatisfactory knowledge of the current recommendations of the WHO in the sphere of breastfeeding. 4. The `exclusive breastfeeding` method is not sufficiently well-known and it is not applied.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2009; 41(1): 21-24