Recycled polyvinyl chloride microplastics: investigation of environmentally relevant concentrations on toxicity in adult zebrafish.

Recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics have been detected in the aquatic environment. These recycled microparticles contain chemicals that are released into the environment reaching different organisms. Although the problem of the presence of recycled PVC microparticles in the environment is evident, the toxicological consequences of this contaminant to exposed organisms remains to be better determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity attributed to exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of recycled PVC microplastics in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). The experimental groups were: negative control, vehicle control, positive control, and recycled microplastics (20 ± 5 µm) at 5, 10 or 20 µg/L. Zebrafish (D. rerio) were exposed to respective treatments for 96 hr. Locomotion and oxidative status parameters were measured and mortality recorded. The positive control group presented increased mortality rates and decreased locomotor activity. Animals from the vehicle group did not show marked differences. Finally, no significant disturbances were found in survival rate, locomotion pattern and oxidative status of animals exposed to recycled PVC microparticles at 5, 10 or 20 µg/L. Taken together our results suggest that recycled PVC microplastics in this particle size range do not appear to exert harmful effects on exposed adult D. rerio. However, these results need to be carefully observed due to limitations including size of particle and duration of exposure parameters that might affect ecological consequences. It is suggested that additional studies applying other particles sizes and chronic exposure are needed to more comprehensively verify the toxicity of the contaminant investigated here.

Acidentes e plantas hospedeiras associadas a lagartas urticantes / Accidents and host plants associated with urticant caterpillars / Accidentes y plantas hospedadoras asociadas a orugasurticantes

Introdução: Ambientes urbanos como áreas verdes, praças, parques e escolas estão se tornando cada vez mais propícios ao aparecimento de animais peçonhentos, dentre eles as lagartas urticantes. Acidentes com algumas lagartas urticantes podem ser graves, podendo leva ao óbito, como no caso do gênero Lonomia.Objetivo:descrever o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes envolvendo lagartas urticantes no município de Chapecó, Santa Catarina e identificar espécies vegetais hospedeiras destas lagartas.Metodologia:Foram coletados os dados epidemiológicos dos acidentes com lagartas urticantes registrados no período entre 2016 e 2017. Os dados foram obtidos junto ao Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação.Foram analisadas as variáveis sexo, idade, parte do corpo acometida, os meses que houve as notificações, a ocupação dos indivíduos que tiveram contato com a lagarta, local em que residem, escolaridade e a espécie da lagarta envolvida. Ainda, foram identificados os espécimes coletados pelo setor de Vigilância em Saúde Ambiental, bem como foram identificadas as plantas hospedeira sem que foram encontrados.Resultados:Foram registrados 377 acidentes envolvendo majoritariamente o sexo feminino e a faixa etária entre 20 a 49 anos.As partes do corpo mais acometidas foram o pé (17,0%), mão (12,9%) e cabeça (11,4%). Foram identificadas seis espécies de plantas associadas à ocorrência de lagartas urticantes Conclusões:O estudo contribui com informações epidemiológicas sobre os acidentes causados por lepidópteros em um município de grande porte. Ressalta-se, a importância de ampliar as pesquisas em relação às plantas hospedeiras e a divulgação dos resultados visando a prevenção de acidentes (AU).

Introduction:Urban environments such as green areas, squares, parks and schools are becoming more and more favorableto the appearance of venomous animals, including urticatingcaterpillars. Accidents with some stinging caterpillars can be serious and can lead to death, as in the case of the genus Lonomia. Objective:to describe the epidemiological profile of accidents involving stinging caterpillars in the municipality of Chapecó, Santa Catarina and to identify host plant species of these caterpillars. Methodology:Epidemiological data on stinging caterpillar accidents recorded in the period between 2016 and 2017were collected. The data were obtained from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação. The variables sex, age, body part affected, the months of the notifications, the occupation of the individuals who had contact with the caterpillar, the place where they live, education and the species of the caterpillar involved were analyzed. Still, the specimens collected by the Environmental Health Surveillance sector were identified, as well as the host plants in which they were found. Results:There were 377 accidents involving mostly females and the age group between 20 and 49 years. The parts of the body most affected were the foot (17.0%), hand (12.9%) and head (11.4%). Six species of plants were identified associated with the occurrence of stinging caterpillars.Conclusions:The study contributes with epidemiological information on accidents caused by Lepidoptera in a large municipality. The importance of expanding research in relation to host plants and the dissemination of results aimed at preventing accidents are emphasized (AU).

Introducción: Los entornos urbanos como áreas verdes, plazas, parques y escuelas son cada vez más propicios para la aparición de animales venenosos, incluidas las orugas urticantes. Los accidentes con algunas orugas pueden ser graves y provocar la muerte, como en el caso del género Lonomia.Objetivo: describir el perfil epidemiológico de los accidentes por orugasurticantes en el municipio de Chapecó, Santa Catarina e identificar especies de plantas hospedadoras de estas orugas.Metodología: Se recolectaron datos epidemiológicos sobre accidentes de orugas urticantes registrados en el período entre 2016 y 2017. Los datos se obtuvieron del Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação(SINAN). Se analizaron las variables sexo, edad, parte del cuerpo afectada, los meses delas notificaciones, la ocupación de los individuos que tuvieron contacto con lasorugas, el lugar donde viven, educación y la especie de oruga involucrada. Aún así, se identificaron los especímenes recolectados por el sector de Vigilancia de Salud Ambiental, así como las plantas hospedantes en las que se encontraron.Resultados: Se produjeron 377 accidentes que afectaron en su mayoría a mujeres y al grupo de edad entre 20 y 49 años. Las partes del cuerpo más afectadas fueron el pie (17,0%), mano (12,9%) y cabeza (11,4%).Se identificaron seis especies de plantas asociadas con la ocurrencia de orugas urticantes.Conclusiones: El estudio presentainformación epidemiológica sobre accidentes causados por lepidópteros en un municipio de gran tamaño. Se destacala importancia de ampliar la investigación en relación con las plantas hospedantes y la difusión de resultados orientados a la prevención delosaccidentes (AU).