The Laboratory of Ecological falls into two functional groups: one group deals with experimental animal studies and a second group studies effects of chemicals on soil.

As its main objective, the Laboratory studies the influence of different chemical compounds on individual ecosystems (soil, water and air), including the effects of military nerve agents to be disposed. In the investigation process, relevant studies in laboratory animals, microorganisms and plants are carried out. The studies are performed by means of biochemical, physiological, behavioral, chemical, and sanitary methods. The organization and implementation of experimental works to validate new approaches to hygienic regulation of various chemical toxicants represent a large research effort by the Laboratory staff. Experimental studies on gonadotoxic and mutagenic properties of chemical substances promote to the establishment of scientifically sound human safety levels.

The research associates of the Laboratory have gained large experience in the development of safety standards for different chemical substances and, what is more, their solid competence in toxicology is useful in conducting pre-clinical product development testing for different medicinal drugs.

All necessary equipment is available to conduct studies associated with experimental validation of MPCs and MPLs for chemical substances in soil, as well as evaluation of their content in human body resulting from a substance entry through main routes (i.e. inhalation, intake and skin).

Promising areas of research: 1. Establishing a scheme of preventive medical measures capable of providing an effective protection of male reproduction function from chemical action. Research priorities will be given to substances that belong to different classes, but produce a similar damage effect on genetic functions of sex cells. 2. Studies to investigate the toxicity of chemical agents to mammals. The effects of chemical agents will be tested under conditions of their simultaneous presence in water, soil and air at MPL level. 3. Chronic exposure to toxic agents at MPL level and their effects on microbiocenosis in soil.