Purpose: retrospective analysis of heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils in different regions of Ukraine in the pre-war period as a basis for establishing a background level for assessing the environmental situation in the post-war period. Materials and methods of the study. The sanitary-hygienic, bibliometric and analytical methods were used. The results of the research reports performed in the laboratory of hygiene of carcinogenic factors of the O.M. Marzieiev Institute for Public Health and literary sources of domestic scientometric databases were analyzed. In those studies soil samplings were carried out using the generally accepted envelope method at a depth of 20 cm, and heavy metals were measured on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer KAS-120.1 with a graphite cuvette. Research results. The analyses of the previous studies shows that the level of heavy metals in soils depends on the type of soil, the quality of fertilizers used and the presence of sources of pollution. Analytical consideration of the problem of contamination of agricultural areas with heavy metals in Ukraine indicates stable soil pollution in the pre-war period. However, the level of this pollution does not pose a danger and is at the level of permissible medical and sanitary standards. Translocation of such levels of heavy metals to plant food products does not pose a danger to public health. It is shown that in the result of military actions associated with explosive processes, soil pollution at concentrations significantly exceeding the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) is possible. The example of Donetsk region illustrates the probability of contamination of food products with heavy metals. Conclusion: a conclusion is made on the feasibility of monitoring agricultural areas for the content of heavy metals; Special emphasis is placed on the danger of growing plant products in the private sector of settlements that were under occupation or were in conditions of military operations.

military operations, heavy metals, contaminated areas, agricultural areas, background pollution

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