Sanitary and epidemiological assessment of the state of soils in the Russian Federation (literature review)

This study describes the results of a sanitary and epidemiological assessment of soil quality in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation (RF), based on the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) monitoring over the past 10 years, as a potential risk factor for harm to public health. A comparative dynamic analysis of soil samples for sanitary-chemical, microbiological, parasitological, and entomological indicators in the constituent entities of the RF is presented. Monitoring results from 2015 to 2024, containing information on more than 2 million soil samples, are analyzed. The obtained results are compared with the results of scientific literature and analyzed. The information was obtained through the analysis of domestic and foreign information sources – Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, RSCI, etc.

Over the specified period, a positive trend was shown to be observed in the reduction in the number of samples with unsatisfactory indicators. Significant improvements are noted for sanitary-chemical and parasitological indicators. However, from 2021 to 2024, an increase was observed in the proportion of samples failing to meet to microbiological criteria, as well as those with residual contamination by persistent organic pollutants such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH).

The data analysis demonstrates the need to strengthen monitoring for soil microbiological parameters, which allow assessing their sanitary condition, and the content of persistent organic pollutants in soils. Soil, by absorbing these pollutants, acts as a long-term reservoir for pollutants. Under current conditions, all of the above is a strategic necessity for ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population, food security, and the sustainable development of populated areas.

Contributions:
Sinitskaya T.A. – editing;
Pletenev P.A. – study concept and design, literature collection and analysis, writing, editing;
Bukhonov A.V. – literature collection and analysis, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: November 28, 2025 / Accepted: March 24, 2025 / Published: April 17, 2026

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