The research data of people who were in the potential pollution zone – concentrations of chemical substances in their bodies, health complaints and chronic diseases – did not differ from the indicators of the general population of Lithuania, and the obtained indicators of the concentration of chemical substances in their organisms were very similar or lower compared to the similar indicators of residents of other countries or firefighters-rescuers.
“The conducted study and its results are very important and significant, because it is the first epidemiological study that determined and compared the concentrations of dangerous chemicals in the biological media (blood, urine) of randomly selected Lithuanian residents and firefighters-rescuers. Fire-specific chemicals are present in our environment even in the absence of fire due to the wide use of various chemicals in industry, household and the formation of pollutants, people get these substances with food, drinking water or inhaled air, so it is important to know how much of these substances are accumulated in human bodies.
Previously, biological monitoring was not carried out in Lithuania, so the concentrations of the identified dangerous chemicals in the bodies of Lithuanian residents were not known”, says Dalia Žukienė, advisor of the Health Safety Department of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health.
A fire broke out in the tire processing company “Ekologistika” in 2019. October 16 and lasted more than a week. The accident caused great public concern because the burning of tires releases many pollutants: benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as some metals and metalloids such as arsenic, cadmium, nickel, zinc, mercury, chromium and vanadium. The release of these pollutants into the environment can cause acute and chronic health risks for residents living near the fire.
A biomedical study, which was conducted in 2020-2023, helped to assess the impact of the fire on the health of the population. carried out by the National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory (NVSPL), the Toxicology Laboratory of the Institute of Neurosciences of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and the Medical Center of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, in cooperation with the Department of Fire Protection and Rescue and the National Public Health Center under the Ministry of Health.
Residents of Alytus city and Alytus district who may have been exposed to hazardous substances were studied, and the results obtained were compared with the results of residents of other Lithuanian cities and districts (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai) that were not affected by this fire. Firefighters and rescuers were also investigated. Those who extinguished the fire
the results of firefighters and rescuers were compared with the results of firefighters and rescuers who did not extinguish this fire and residents of other cities and districts of Lithuania. A total of 341 people participated in the study.
The obtained results showed that 94-100 percent in the test organisms, the concentrations of all analyzed chemicals – PAA, PCDDs, PCDFs and some PCBs – were below the detection limit, the results obtained are very similar or lower compared to the results of residents or firefighters of other countries. It can be assumed that, in most cases, the results obtained below the detection limit indicate low environmental pollution with these substances.
The concentrations of metals and metalloids – lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, zinc – in the blood and urine of the subjects did not differ significantly between Alytus r., Alytus city. and the subjects of other cities and districts of Lithuania, nor among the firefighters who extinguished the fire at the company “Ekologistika” and those who did not, and are not related to the consequences of the fire.
Health complaints and chronic diseases of subjects and firefighters-rescuers were found to be common among the Lithuanian population, especially the elderly, and are not related to the consequences of the fire at the Ekologistika tire processing company.
“Biological monitoring data directly reflect the entry of chemical substances from various sources of pollution through different routes of entry into the body and the biological burden caused to the human body and show whether pollution and sources of pollution are sufficiently and properly controlled. Therefore, biological monitoring together with environmental (air, water, food, etc.) monitoring is a very important tool for the formulation of environmental health policy and for evaluating its effectiveness, as it shows the geography of the impact of pollution, allows comparison of different population groups and identification of vulnerable population or professional groups”. – says Toma Petrulionienė, deputy head of the Chemical Research Department of NVSPL.
The research report contains recommendations for state institutions, companies, and other interested organizations – to organize, prepare and implement pollution prevention and reduction measures in accordance with their competence, to provide recommendations to the public, and to residents – to follow the recommendations and implement them; compile a list of chemical substances and their metabolites that must be tested, approve their test methods and reference values; carry out regular monitoring of chemical substances and their metabolites in bio-environments of the population; to manage occupational risk factors, to develop cooperation with other countries and national institutions assessing the risks posed by chemical substances to human health. In order to reduce the amount of chemicals in our bodies, we all have to collectively and personally contribute to reducing pollution.
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Interview with Dalia Žukienė, Advisor of the Health Safety Department, Ministry of Health
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dalia. Your recent study examines the effects of chemical exposure on residents near the Ekologistika tire fire. Can you summarize the key findings of this research?
Dalia Žukienė: Thank you for having me. Our study is significant as it is the first epidemiological assessment in Lithuania that analyzed the concentrations of hazardous chemicals in the biological samples—blood and urine—of residents and firefighters who might have been exposed to pollutants from the Ekologistika fire. Surprisingly, the data indicated that the concentrations of these chemicals in our study group were similar to or even lower than those found in the general population of Lithuania and other countries. This suggests that the environmental impact of the fire may not have been as severe as initially feared.
Interviewer: That’s an interesting finding. Can you explain why biological monitoring is important in this context?
Dalia Žukienė: Biological monitoring provides essential insights into the accumulation of toxic substances in the human body. It reflects the actual chemical burden from various exposures, whether from the air, water, or food. In conjunction with environmental monitoring, it helps us evaluate the effectiveness of pollution control measures and understand the broader implications for population health. Before this study, we lacked data on the concentrations of hazardous chemicals in the bodies of Lithuanian residents, which made it crucial to conduct this research.
Interviewer: You mentioned that 94-100% of the participants had chemical concentrations below detection limits. What does this imply about environmental pollution?
Dalia Žukienė: These low levels suggest that the environmental pollution from the fire was minimal in terms of the specific chemicals we tested. It is encouraging to see that in most cases, the exposure was not significant, indicating that existing regulations and pollution controls might be effective. Our study demonstrated that the health complaints and chronic diseases reported by participants were common across the whole Lithuanian population and not specifically tied to the fire.
Interviewer: How can these findings influence future health policies in Lithuania?
Dalia Žukienė: Our findings can play a pivotal role in shaping future environmental health policies. They provide a basis for improving monitoring systems, addressing public concerns about pollution, and ensuring that preventive measures are in place. Furthermore, understanding the sources and impacts of chemical exposures will aid in protecting vulnerable populations and promoting public health initiatives.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dalia, for sharing these insights. It’s vital information for both the public and policymakers regarding environmental health.
Dalia Žukienė: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue to monitor and study these issues to protect public health effectively.
Dalia Žukienė: This finding is quite revealing. When we see that 94-100% of participants had chemical concentrations below the detection limit, it indicates that environmental pollution with these particular substances is likely low. It suggests that the residents in the area, including the firefighters who were exposed during the fire, may not have accumulated significant amounts of harmful substances as a result of the incident. This is reassuring and highlights that, in many cases, the fire may not have led to the level of contamination initially feared.
Interviewer: How do you interpret the lack of significant differences in health complaints among the study participants?
Dalia Žukienė: The lack of significant differences in health complaints and chronic diseases among participants indicates that these health issues are common across the general population, particularly among older individuals. This implies that, while the fire was a notable event, it may not have contributed to any disproportionate health impacts in those exposed compared to the broader community. It underscores the importance of looking at various health factors beyond individual incidents to understand public health more comprehensively.
Interviewer: What recommendations arise from your findings for future public health policy?
Dalia Žukienė: Our report includes several recommendations aimed at improving pollution prevention and monitoring. It’s essential for state institutions and organizations to regularly monitor chemical substances in biological environments and to educate the public on how to minimize exposure. Additionally, we advocate for collaboration with international bodies to assess and manage the risks posed by chemical substances. Public cooperation in pollution reduction efforts is also vital. this data is a valuable foundation for forming more effective environmental health policies in Lithuania.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Dalia. It seems that while the fire raised important concerns, the study has provided a level of reassurance about public health in the region.
Dalia Žukienė: Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s crucial that we continue to monitor and address environmental health issues proactively, ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.
