The use of effective plant test-objects in hygienic monitoring allows obtaining an integrated assessment of the anthropogenic and technogenic impact on the initial chain of the trophic level, which contributes to the adoption of measures to reduce risks to human health.The aim of the study is the scientific substantiation of the effectiveness of using evergreen plants as test systems for assessing the safety of the environment from priority pollutants-heavy metals.Material and methods. The research was conducted in Vladikavkaz city, where “Elektrotsink” (Pb - Zn - Cd production), “Pobedit” (W - Mo - Re - Co-production), “Gazoapparat” (electroplating), “Kristall” (production of copper-nickel alloys) and others plants are located. The objects of research were the three most represented types of evergreen plants: Picea abies, Picea pungens, and Thuja occidentalis, widely used in urban gardening. Young and old needles were taken from the trees. The collection districts corresponded to relatively clean areas and areas with increased anthropogenic pollution. The concentration of heavy metals was determined by using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer “Kvant-2A”. We calculated the average value and the standard error of the average, the Pearson correlation coefficient.Results. Heavy metals were detected in all plant species (regardless of districts for sample collection) in concentrations: Cd: 0.035-2.0; Pb: 0.34-19.7; Cu: 0.006-4.48; Zn: 0.014-449.1 mg/kg. It was proved that the species have a similar tropism to the same elements (correlation coefficients from 0.78 to 0.91); the accumulation of metals in old needles relative to young ones is characterized by a direct relationship for Zn>Pb>Cd (kZn - 1.71, kPb - 1.58 kCd - 1.27) and the reverse for copper (kCu - 0.96).Conclusion. Patterns of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of evergreen plants identify the degree of anthropogenic impact on the environment and determine the prospects for using Picea abies, Picea pungens, and Thuja occidentalis as a sensitive indicator for assessing the safety of plant species.

The review summarizes the results of studying the problem of environmental mercury pollution and associated risks to public health. Toxicological and hygienic studies include an analysis of the main sources of heavy metal emissions, ways of their distribution in the environment and biological effects on humans. The basis of anthropogenic pollution was shown to include the following: artisanal mining, coal burning and non-ferrous metal production. Out of the places of emissions metal is distributed with atmospheric air over long distances, as evidenced by the results of monitoring studies conducted in the Arctic and Antarctica. Pollution of water is extremely dangerous for human health, since it is proven that the main source of mercury intake is associated with the consumption of fish and seafood. In the soil horizon the toxicant is localized mainly in arable layers but in places where mercury-containing waste is stored, the metal can migrate to a depth of 18 m or more. Analysis of the mechanisms of adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion allows concluding: the greatest threat to health are metal-organic forms (methyl-and dimethyl-mercury), which is associated with the high lipophilicity of these compounds. On the example of Minamata disease there is given a description of the characteristic signs of mercury intoxication among which the Central nervous system is the leading one. There are presented the results of the research of biological effects of low metal concentrations and modern means of preventing negative impact on human health. Contact of the General population in production and everyday life determines the necessity for a comprehensive study and coverage of the effects associated with exposure of toxic mercury compounds.

The review summarizes the results of studying the problem of environmental mercury pollution and associated risks to public health. Toxicological and hygienic studies include an analysis of the main sources of heavy metal emissions, ways of their distribution in the environment and biological effects on humans. The basis of anthropogenic pollution was shown to include the following: artisanal mining, coal burning and non-ferrous metal production. Out of the places of emissions metal is distributed with atmospheric air over long distances, as evidenced by the results of monitoring studies conducted in the Arctic and Antarctica. Pollution of water is extremely dangerous for human health, since it is proven that the main source of mercury intake is associated with the consumption of fish and seafood. In the soil horizon the toxicant is localized mainly in arable layers but in places where mercury-containing waste is stored, the metal can migrate to a depth of 18 m or more. Analysis of the mechanisms of adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion allows concluding: the greatest threat to health are metal-organic forms (methyl-and dimethyl-mercury), which is associated with the high lipophilicity of these compounds. On the example of Minamata disease there is given a description of the characteristic signs of mercury intoxication among which the Central nervous system is the leading one. There are presented the results of the research of biological effects of low metal concentrations and modern means of preventing negative impact on human health. Contact of the General population in production and everyday life determines the necessity for a comprehensive study and coverage of the effects associated with exposure of toxic mercury compounds.