Genetic toxicology in hygiene

The article discusses the directions of research in the field of genetic toxicology, which allow solving problems important for hygiene, aimed at ensuring the genetic health of the population. The main areas of research are: assessment of the genetic hazard of environmental factors and the level of pollution by genotoxicants; analysis of the total mutagenic activity of mixtures of chemical pollutants; control over mutational events in the somatic cells of people working in hazardous production conditions, which is necessary to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occupational diseases and multifactorial pathology; study of individual genetically determined human sensitivity to the impacts of adverse environmental factors in order to improve professional selection and development of personalized preventive medicine; assessment of mutagenicity in short-term tests to predict the carcinogenicity of the studied substances; search for antimutagens. The methods used in genetic toxicology are described. The main directions and results of the work of the Department of Genetic Toxicology of the FBES “Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman” of the Rospotrebnadzor are given. Conclusion. The results of genotoxicological studies allow us to evaluate and establish hazard classes of the tested substances, predict possible long-term effects. Monitoring of mutational events in the somatic cells of people exposed to various environmental factors, assessment of individual human sensitivity to specific factors or their combinations make it possible to identify and evaluate potentially dangerous factors for genetic health, develop preventive measures and carry out reasonable professional selection of persons to work in harmful production conditions.