Section: 
General questions of otolaryngology?
General questions of otolaryngology?Early manifestations of pathological changes in mucous membrane of upper respiratory tract with exposure to chemicals of working environment
A. G. Uchurov (1), N. A. Daikhes (2), I. N. Fedina (3), V. B. Pankova (4), A. V. Bol’shakov (5)
(1), (2), (3), (4) National Medical Research Center for Otorhinolaryngology, Federal Medico-Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, 123182, Russian Federation, (2) Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation, (3), (5) Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health, Moscow, 105275, Russian Federation, (3) Russian University of Medicine, Moscow, 127006, Russian Federation, (4) All-Russian Research Institute of Transport Hygiene of Rospotrebnadzor, Moscow, 125438, Russian Federation, (4) Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, 125993, Russian Federation
UDK: УДК 613.6.027: 613.634: 616.21: 616.211-002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-5-16-25
ABSTRACT
Abstract. Relevance. The complex impact of harmful factors in the production of caustic soda leads to a decrease in the body’s adaptive capabilities and an increased risk of diseases, including those of the upper respiratory tract. The principle of forming comparison groups based on the characteristics of working conditions with chemical substances detected in the air of the work area and the clinical, functional, and morphological studies of the upper respiratory tract of workers allowed us to assess the risk of developing respiratory tract pathology depending on the predominant chemical factor in different professional groups. Objective. To detect changes at early stages in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract of caustic soda workers based on the assessment of topical clinical, functional, and morphological shifts. Materials and methods. The study examined the condition of the upper respiratory tract in 292 employees of a caustic soda production enterprise, divided into 4 comparison groups based on the presence of certain chemicals in the air of the work area. A combination of hygienic, clinical laboratory, morphological, instrumental, and statistical research methods was used. Results. The conducted studies allowed determining the long-term characteristics of functional shifts and those occurring in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract as well as the morphological features of damage to epithelial structures under the influence of the chemical factor of caustic soda production. Conclusion. A high reactivity of morpho-functional indicators was identified — specifically, temperature, mucosal pH, mucociliary clearance, and its main structural components (cells of the ciliated and stratified squamous epithelium) — in response to the chemical factors present in caustic soda production. It was established that the complex effect of metallic mercury and gaseous chlorine as well as the presence of gaseous chlorine in the air of the work area, even at concentrations that do not exceed the regulatory values, has the greatest impact. Identification of functional and morphological changes in the mucous membrane of the primary barriers of workers’ bodies at the early stages of pathology formation can serve as a basis for justifying priority areas of hygienic and medical preventive measures.
Publication date:
20.10.2025
Keywords:
mucous membrane, upper respiratory tract, mucociliary transport, ciliated epithelium, stratified squamous epithelium, chemical production For citation:
Uchurov A. G., Daikhes N. A., Fedina I. N., Pankova V. B., Bol’shakov A. V. Early manifestations of pathological changes in mucous membrane of upper respiratory tract with exposure to chemicals of working environment. Russian Otorhinolaryngology. 2025;24(5):16-25. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18692/1810-4800-2025-5-16-25