Environment and health

At the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA), from May 27 to May 29, 2025, with the support of Rector Z.S. Seitzhanova and Vice-Rector for Science and Strategy N.E. Aukenov, a seminar was held with the participation of Head of the Department of Family Medicine-2, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor G.N. Dosybaeva, and staff from the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology – Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor P.D. Utepov, and Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor S.U. Eskerov. The seminar, titled “Preventing Lead Poisoning: Using a Science-Based Approach in Kyrgyzstan, the USA, and India”, featured contributions from scientists from the United States.
Key speakers included: Aidar Kapassov – Head of the Public Association “Human Health Institute,” Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan, expert in protecting human health from environmental hazards; Petr Sharov – Candidate of Biological Sciences, Head of the Institute for Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Tbilisi, Georgia, and expert in lead poisoning risk assessment; Associate Professor of the UNESCO International Chair “Ecology” at the Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia; Casey Bartrem, PhD – Executive Director of the TerraGraphics International Foundation (TIFO), member of the Ramazzini College, Associate Professor in the Department of Soil and Water Systems at the University of Idaho, Moscow, USA, expert in lead poisoning risk assessment; and Marina Steiner – Master’s student in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Idaho, Moscow, USA.
The U.S. research team met with Rector Seitzhanova Z.S. and shared their plans to study the impact of heavy metals and the pathways for rehabilitation of the population and environment globally, including in the city of Shymkent. Together with the American scientists, Professor G.N. Dosybaeva (who led the 2011–2013 study titled “Ecological and Hygienic Risk Assessment of Lead Intoxication Among Children in an Industrial City” in Shymkent) and Associate Professor S.U. Eskerov (hygienist doctor) participated in collecting soil samples near the lead plant using a rapid soil analyzer to detect heavy metals.
Based on the results of these pilot samples, more in-depth and large-scale studies will be needed in the future to support scientifically grounded management decisions for forecasting and rehabilitation.