Improving the hygienic assessment of chemical air pollution in the work area using the individual sampling method

Introduction. Currently, the hygienic characteristics of the working conditions of employees of enterprises with harmful working conditions are based mainly on the standard method of workplace air sampling without taking into account individual physiological parameters, different degrees of physical exertion of employees at individual levels of the technological process during the work shift. The study aims to make a comparative assessment of the air pollution indicators of the working area of workers of the nickel electrolysis workshop using standard and individual sampling methods. Materials and methods. The scientists have conducted research at mining and metallurgical enterprises of the Murmansk region located in the European part of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. These enterprises are part of the mining complex of the region and are engaged in the extraction and processing of copper-nickel sulfide ores in order to obtain finished products — electrolytic nickel. The authors conducted air sampling in industrial premises using standard methods using individual samplers during a work shift.The nickel content in the aerosol was determined using a polarographic method based on the reduction of nickel dimethylglyoximate complexes on a mercury droplet electrode in the presence of chloride‑ammonia buffer and sodium sulfite. The method of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to analyze the metal content. Results. A comparative analysis of the results showed that the use of individual sampling devices makes it possible to objectively assess the level of exposure to toxic water-soluble nickel compounds. Experts have established that the method of individual sampling in terms of the frequency of exceeding the maximum permissible concentration in the air of the working area by 30.5%, compared with the standard procedure, gives a more accurate picture of the degree of risk of harm to the health of workers with harmful chemical factors. The use of individual sampling techniques can increase the objectivity of the results of control and supervisory measures in the field of occupational health and expert decisions in establishing a link between diseases and the profession of workers in harmful chemical industries. Limitations. Conducting studies on the hygienic assessment of chemical air pollution in the working area in the production facilities of the nickel electrolysis workshop was difficult due to the difficulties of passing the admission procedure to the territory of the metallurgical enterprise. Conclusion. Hygienic characteristics of chemical air pollution in the work area using the method of individual sampling significantly increases the objectivity of quantifying the risk to the health of chemical industry workers and reduces the time required for laboratory tests. Ethics. The study does not require the provision of an opinion from the biomedical Ethics Committee or other documents.