Spectrum of analytical findings in chemical-toxicological examination of poisonings in the zone of a special military operation

Introduction. The combat environment has determined the probability of toxicants’ using in the special military operation zone, with respect to conventional restrictions and situational availability of materials and chemicals for the dispersion devices’ loading. The importance of analytical indication of chemical products in the biological environment of the affected determines, on the one hand, the accuracy of diagnosis and, as a result, the adequacy of the prescribed therapy, and on the other hand, dictates the need to obtain irrefutable information about new tactics of using toxic chemicals as an alternative to chemical weapons.

Material and methods. Analytical studies of samples, including those obtained by the dried blood spot method, collected by medical specialists in outbreaks during the organization of medical evacuation and in first-level medical institutions, were conducted to characterize the spectrum of chemical safety threats.

Results. The spectrum of adverse chemical factors is associated with the possibility of implementation through criminal activity, as well as the use of unmanned gas-release and aerosol-generation vehicles. The threat of neurotropic agents is illustrated by the cannabinoids’ use consisting of spices, substances of bioactive cardiotropic agents, soluble metal salts, including uranium, phosphothermite mixtures of abnormally detonated ammunitions. The greatest risk of using as means of destruction is realized by the police riot control supplies and irritants from among the compounds of industrial synthesis and solvents. The formation patterns of delayed tracheobronchial tree and lung tissue lesions caused by corrosive substances were associated with aerodynamic properties of the latter formulated into dry aerosols produced by explosive or knockout (propulsive?) generation from drones. The risks of natural poison threat materializing have been identified through the example of types A and B botulinum toxins but do not exclude extract using of poisonous plants growing on the territory of the warring parties.

Limitations. Analytical studies of samples do not apply to environmental objects, and the methodological possibilities of their interpretation are limited by the chemical nature of the analyte.

Conclusion. The spectrum of toxicants that had been used for several years of military confrontation reflected the possibilities of their situational production and use for aerosol-generation or gas-release devices’ loading. It determines the aspects of providing medical care to the victims in the toxicogenic phase of intoxication.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was performed in compliance with the ethical principles of conducting medical research with the participation of people as subjects of research in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association “Ethical Principles of conducting Scientific medical research with human participation” as amended in 2013 and the “Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation”, approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266 dated 06/19/2003. All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Author’s contribution:
Chepur S.V. – the concept and design of the study, writing text, editing;
Nikiforov A.S., Tsoi D.V. – analytical studies of biological media and clothing items;
Yudin M.A., Myasnikov V.A., Tyunin M.A. – systematization and statistical processing of clinical material.
All co-authors – approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: September 9, 2024 / Accepted: February 25, 2025 / Published: April 30, 2025

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