Contamination of vegetable products with nitrates as a public health risk factor

Our study aimed to investigate the contamination levels of vegetable products with nitrates and to evaluate the associated health risks to population of Baikalia. Materials and Methods - The characterization of VP contamination with nitrates is based on the data of the Federal Information Foundation for Public Hygiene Monitoring in the Russian Federation for 2015-2019. The computation of hazard ratios was conducted sensu the Guidelines 2.1.10.1920-04 `Human Health Risk Assessment Caused by Environmental Pollutants'. Results - The proportion of VP samples with augmented nitrate content in the Republic of Buryatia was 4.5 times higher than in Irkutsk Oblast. At the same time, nitrate concentrations did not differ significantly: in the Republic of Buryatia, median concentration was 164.24 (158.52-169.95) mg/kg, and 90th percentile was 940.76 (868.49-1013.03) mg/kg; in Irkutsk Oblast, corresponding amounts were 169.1 (158.55-177.55) and 978.0 (927.3-1028.7) mg/kg (p>0.05). The alimentary effect of nitrates on the child population in Republic of Buryatia led to unacceptable risk (HQ>1.0 at the level of the average centile trend). Conclusion - The results of conducted analysis confirmed the need to carry out dynamic studies of child health indicators due to the impact of nitrates in the municipalities of the cluster 1 in the course of the public hygiene monitoring (with child health as a mandatory component of the latter) for developing further predictive indicators.

Automated summary

The study revealed a high level of nitrate contamination in vegetable products in Baikalia, particularly in the Republic of Buryatia, posing unacceptable health risks to children. Further dynamic studies and monitoring are needed to develop predictive indicators for child health in the affected areas.