Results of the work of the Department of Soil and Waste Hygiene at the SI «IPH NAMSU» as of June 2026

In response to the challenges caused by military aggression, the Department of Soil and Waste Hygiene at the State Institution «Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» is carrying out a research project titled “Assessment of the Impact of Environmental Pollution in Areas Where Combat Operations Took Place on the living conditions of the population.”

The results of analyses of more than 60 soil samples show that the concentration of heavy metals collected in areas where combat operations took place varies widely, which is partly due to the presence of these pollutants in the area that accumulated in previous years. The use of explosive shells of varying yields does not result in significant amounts of heavy metals entering the soil. It was found that the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for all elements in individual samples was exceeded by no more than a factor of three.

When explosive shells are used, the concentration of heavy metals in the soil varies and depends on the type of shell, the nature of its effect, the explosive power, and the kinetic energy of the device, among other factors. When a high-explosive shell or rocket strikes, or when a shell is detonated by sappers at the point of impact, the concentration of virtually all heavy metals studied at the epicenter exceeds that of control samples (on average 1.01–1.5 times higher for high-explosive shells and rockets; up to 3–5 times higher for shell detonations). Soil is more heavily contaminated with toxic substances following a high-explosive shell impact than following a rocket strike.

Based on the results of this work, it is planned to develop “Hygiene Recommendations for the Restoration of Affected Areas to Their Intended Use (agricultural land, populated areas, and public spaces).”

Since the beginning of the year, based on the results of the studies conducted, 7 papers have been published and submitted for publication.

Specialists from the Department of Soil and Waste Hygiene at the State Institution «Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» continuously provide services to carry out relevant studies to determine the hazard class (category) of various types of waste, including drilling sludge, fly ash from gas cleaning systems, associated formation water, wastewater, and others. in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management,” as well as the “Procedure for Waste Classification,” approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1102 dated October 20, 2023.

Determining the hazard class (category) based on the hazardous properties (HV1–HV15) of this waste will enable the provision of recommendations for its most effective management at all stages—from generation to disposal or recovery—as well as prevent harmful effects on workers at the industrial site.

(date of publication on the website: 10.07.2026)