[Nutrition and health in relation to ecology]

The ecological situation in the recent 20 years in the Kazakh SSR occupying one sixth of the USSR territory is analysed. The analysis shows a 3-29-fold rise in total morbidity for various infectious and somatic diseases associated with the drastic worsening of the ecological situation in the Aral Sea region; childhood and maternal mortality rates have significantly increased. Investigations made at the Institute for Regional Nutritional Problems of the USSR AMS have shown that pesticides, excessive mineral fertilisers, and various microorganisms and their metabolites (toxins) are priority food product pollutants for all Kazakhstan regions. An important role played by the nutritional status in showing a cancerogenic effect by nitro compounds has been established. A complex of sanitary-hygienic measures aimed at improving the State sanitary control over the environmental objects and food products has been elaborated that will improve the ecological situation in this republic.