Impact of the service terms on biochemical indices in employees at the potassium ore processing enterprise

Introduction. The extraction of potash ores is developing at a significant pace. The flotation method is the way to obtain potassium chloride using chemical reagents that have a toxic effect on the respiratory and nervous system, and liver. The complex long-term impact of occupation factors of the working environment with an increase in work experience leads to a rise in the prevalence of diseases of vital organs and systems. 

The aim of the study is to assess the change in individual biochemical indices of unfavorable responses on the part of the health of workers at a potassium ore processing enterprise, depending on the length of work experience. 

Materials and methods. The working conditions of workers were assessed, the content of some aldehydes, hexane, and heptane in biological media was investigated, and changes in many biochemical parameters were established. 

Results. The factors of the working environment in workers at the potassium ore processing enterprise are characterized by the simultaneous exposure to chemicals (potassium chloride, formaldehyde, propionic and butyric aldehydes, hexane and heptane), physical parameters (industrial noise, the microclimate of the working area, the severity of the labor process) and are assessed as harmful (class 3.1). During long-term labor activity (more than ten years), workers have an accumulation of hexane in the urine (1.4 times) and the increased associated content of norepinephrine in blood plasma (up to 1.3 times), not established in workers with up to ten years of work experience. Workers with ten years of work experience and noise with a level of intensity at workplaces exceeding 14.4 dBA showed an increase of 1.3-2.3 times in the level of homocysteine ​​and lipoprotein, not established in workers with a work experience duration of fewer than ten years. No dependence on the service terms was found for changes in sensitization indices of the upper respiratory tract and hepatocytes’ cytolytic activity. 

Conclusion. The revealed changes in indices with an increase in the length of service require special attention for the early diagnosis of occupational diseases and the development of measures to prevent emerging changes in critical organs and systems.