Background: It is of current importance to develop an algorithm for assessing chemical and physical safety of products for children and adolescents made with such innovative materials as organic cotton, bamboo, fibers and threads containing silver ions used for children’s underwear, materials impregnated with marigold extract for insoles of children’s footwear, and diapers from plant raw materials. The institute conducts testing and scientific substantiation of children’s goods made using innovative technologies. Objective: To assess safety of diapers made with innovative materials (ECO-diapers). Materials and methods: We conducted physicochemical, toxicological and organoleptic testing of 200 samples of medium size disposable baby ECO-diapers made with innovative materials. Results: The results of chemical and toxicological tests of ECO-diapers in a model aqueous environment showed that the formaldehyde concentration in aqueous extracts of the diaper samples ranged from 0.08 ± 0.020 to 0.1 mg/dm3; toxicity index values – from 74.1 to 89.1 %; pH – from 0.35 to 0.5 units, and the total phenolic content – from < 0.005 to 0.024 ± 0.002 mg/dm3, thus being within permissible limits. Measured concentrations of acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, acetone, benzene, hexane, methyl and propyl alcohols, toluene, ethyl acetate, lead, arsenic, zinc, chromium were also below threshold values. Chemical testing of the samples of baby diapers in a model air environment with exposure duration of 4, 12, and 24 hours detected migration of chemicals already after four hours of exposure, which did not change following 12 and 24 hours. The value of water absorption capacity, which is one of the main indicators of functional benefit of diapers, ranged from 307.6 ± 30.8 g to 355.5 ± 35.5 g and significantly exceeded the established standard (not less than 240.0 g for medium size diapers) owing to the use of innovative materials in the production of ECO-diapers. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the necessity to develop special methodological approaches to measuring breathability of ECO- and traditional diapers, to regulate smell by including this organoleptic quality criterion in the list of safety requirements, and to limit exposure duration in a model air environment to four hours.

Summary. Introduction: Active introduction of electronic learning tools in educational institutions poses new health risks to school-age children. Creating a modern and secure digital educational environment requires constant monitoring of the conditions and modes of use of new electronic tools, the diversity of which is changing rapidly. The purpose of this work was to assess certain parameters of indoor school environment influenced by the use of interactive panels (IPs), an e-learning tool of the latest generation. Materials and methods: We studied the parameters of electromagnetic radiation, microclimate (air temperature and relative humidity), artificial lighting levels, chemical composition of indoor air, concentrations of positive and negative air ions during the school day in classrooms with and without interactive panels. The measurements were carried out in accordance with the approved methods of laboratory and instrumental research, and the results were then assessed for compliance with current sanitary rules and regulations. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using parametric methods of statistical analysis. Results and conclusion: Indices of the microclimate and air ions in IP-equipped classrooms demonstrated a more pronounced negative dynamics during the school day. Our findings indicate the need for hygienists to pay close attention to the problem of using new electronic teaching aids and interactive panels in particular, to continue research in the area under study in order to elaborate hygienic regulations for applying IPs in the classroom and to prevent overwork and health risks to school-age children.

Introduction: November 6, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of an outstanding scientist and organizer of health care, academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Galina Nikolaevna Serdyukovskaya. For 33 years, Dr. Serdyukovskaya headed the Institute of Pediatric and Adolescent Health of the Ministry of Health of the USSR (now the Research Institute of Hygiene and Health Protection of Children and Adolescents of the National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health of the Russian Ministry of Health). Objective: The article aims to analyze and present invaluable contribution of Professor Serdyukovskaya to the development of Russian medical science and one of its most important areas – pediatric and adolescent health. Materials and methods: We analyzed archival materials, scientific publications for the period 1965–2012. Results: The article describes the main scientific achievements of pediatric health physicians and their importance in protecting health of the younger generation under the guidance of Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences G.N. Serdyukovskaya. It also presents the main scientific directions of the institute headed by this eminent scientist, stages of formation and development of scientific foundations of preventive pediatric health care. The role and place of research conducted by the personnel of the Institute under the leadership of Galina Serdyukovskaya in the national state system of health protection of the younger generation of the country is demonstrated. Conclusion: These materials are the scientific, organizational and methodological basis for researchers who continue to develop new areas of research to maintain and improve child and adolescent health laid down by G.N. Serdyukovskaya.