Environmental degradation affects all areas of human life and the well-being of the population as a whole, since the quality of consumed products changes with changing environmental conditions. One of the centers providing control over the safety of consumer products is the National Expert Center. What is the condition of the laboratories in demand by the population, and what kind of research is possible at the branch in the West Kazakhstan region? We learned about this by contacting the director of the branch in our region, Rakhima Algamkovina.

- Rakhima Alkhamovna, first of all, please tell us about the work of the branch, the main activities of the workshops.

- Currently, the branch has virological, bacteriological, sanitary and hygienic, radiological laboratories operating in regional and district divisions. In the virology laboratory, influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, viral hepatitis, measles, rubella, enteroviruses and serous meningitis, etc. are identified. The causative agents of viral infections are identified. The bacteriological laboratory monitors the safety of drinking water and food products. In addition, intestinal infections, ash disease, meningococcus, whooping cough, etc. identify infectious agents.

One of the main tasks of the branch’s sanitary and hygienic laboratory is an objective assessment of environmental factors and human habitats that affect people’s health. This work includes laboratory analysis of these objects, including compliance with drinking water, food, open water bodies, atmospheric air, soil, work area air, consumer goods and other approved hygienic standards.

In the radiological laboratory, the dose rate of gamma rays in the area, the current density of radon taken from the soil surface, etc. are measured. Research is being conducted on a specific complex of total alpha and beta radioactivity of water and the specific effective activity of radionuclides in food products. Measurements are carried out on the level of radioactivity in soil and plants, in building materials and radioactivity of products. Dosimetric measurements of X-ray radiation are carried out in the X-ray room. Dosimetric monitoring of the fluxes of gamma radiation, alpha, and beta particles of metal waste is carried out.

- Now new technologies are being introduced into all spheres of society. In this regard, I would like to note that the laboratories are equipped with modern equipment.

- We have enough highly qualified specialists capable of performing a wide range of laboratory services to check people’s living conditions. The laboratories are equipped with modern equipment. For example, the Vitek device uses an express method to detect microorganisms and sensitivity to antibiotics, and gas and liquid chromatographs, related to science-intensive research, quickly detect harmful substances in water and food.

What was your preparation for the meningitis study that caused a stir last year? Do you have the ability to perform complex analyses?

- Of course, the virology laboratory has all the conditions for studying viral infections. Research is carried out using modern high-quality equipment, such as PCR, ELISA. PCR is a molecular genetic method. The peculiarity of this method is that it detects RNA and DNA molecules of pathogens. Pathogens can be detected in this equipment within a few hours. But research in other equipment has been going on for a long time. When the meningitis outbreak occurred, laboratory preparedness was at a high level. Not a single case has been registered in our region.

- People often worry about the composition of the food they eat.

- Bacteriological, sanitary-hygienic, virological and radiological studies of drinking water and food products are carried out. For example, we can determine whether there are pathogens that cause intestinal infections from meat, milk, fish, or chicken products.

If the necessary testing is done and the result is negative, we will send it to the Department of Public Health. Then they work with consumers and entrepreneurs in various areas. And in the matter of public places, the conclusions of the analysis are transferred to special bodies, and they work on it themselves.

This year, during research, salmonella was discovered in chicken products. Then we warned residents not to buy these products temporarily.

- Any person in a foreign country turns to various laboratories for help. He hurries to immediately check the purchased goods. Is it possible to conduct such checks in the city of Ural?

- Of course, anyone can come to our laboratory if they have suspicions about the quality of the purchased product. Taking this opportunity, I would like to tell the residents of the region that we have several laboratories. If you have any suspicions about the composition of the water you drink at home, you can immediately visit our center. They will be able to check the quality of the water entering the house through the pipe and see its composition with their own eyes. Likewise, if you have any doubts about chicken and fish products, you can come to the laboratory and have an analysis done. Even women can check the composition of the cosmetics they use: lipstick, various creams and eye shadows.

How can you be sure that the product you are consuming is safe? Every reasonable person should ask this question. There are certain standards that manufacturers must adhere to and provide to the consumer. In turn, the state carries out all the necessary procedures to ensure food safety, and also conducts laboratory tests in branches of the National Expert Center. People should follow basic food choices to maintain their health. Check the expiration date and ingredients of this product. Let us remember that a competent society is made up of competent and open-minded people.

Elmira NUGMANOVA