Assessment of diversity of adenovirus DNA polymerase gene in recreational waters facilitated by ultracentrifugal concentration.

Adenoviruses (AdV) are related to respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in animals and human beings. Their wide genetic diversity in water bodies and their resistance to environmental conditions allow the use of AdV as a reliable marker for detection of fecal contamination. In this work, the diversity of AdV along Belo Stream - in the city of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - was evaluated. Samples were compared in both concentrated and unconcentrated forms. The identification of different AdV species was performed by amplifying a partial sequence of the DNA polymerase gene. AdV was detected in 24 out of 55 concentrated samples (43.6%) and the following species were identified: human adenovirus (HAdV) species C (4/55; 7.2%), D (6/55; 10.9%), E (2/55; 3.6%), and F (9/55; 16.3%). AdV related to other mammalian hosts, such as bovine adenovirus (1/55, 1.8%) and murine adenovirus (2/55, 3.6%), have also been identified; 23.6% (13/55) of the unconcentrated samples were positive, and identified as HAdV species C (6/55, 10.9%), D (1/55, 1.8%), and F (6/55, 10.9%). Results obtained evidenced the presence and the great diversity of AdV, mainly of human origin, circulating in Belo Stream. As expected, the concentration step performed helped to detect AdV in more samples.

Monitoring and assessment of surface water quality in Taquari-Antas Watershed, South Brazil-region with intensive pig farming.

Pig farming is one of the human activities carried out to meet the increasing food demand by the increasing population. South Brazil is the region with most intensive pig farming in the country, exerting pressure on the water and soil environments by the relevant pollutant emissions. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to assess pig farming pollution by monitoring superficial water qualities of the Taquari-Antas Watershed in South Brazil. The study area is about 8062 km2 (south latitude 292,614, 282,624 and west longitude 520,802, 504,554). In 2014, there were 861 pig farmers and 739,858 animals were slaughtered. Samples were collected bimonthly from 13 spots during 2 years of monitoring. The main analysis included the determination of the water quality index (WQI)-a nine physicochemical and microbiological parameter index-and the trophic state index (TSI), which gives a trophic degree based on phosphorous and chlorophyll-α concentration to assess the impacts of the pig farming on superficial water of the region. The results suggest that the regions with high concentration of finishing stage farms present a higher risk to water quality. A distance of 4 km between different spots was enough to detect a significant decrease in the WQI. The WQI was found ranging from "regular" to "good" (62.77 and 78.95). The TSI were found to be mesotrophic at every spot during the entire period of the study.

Water productivity of milk produced in three different dairy production systems in Southern Brazil.

Water is a crucial resource to produce dairy milk and studies are required to identify opportunities for improvements in water management. This study evaluates the water productivity of milk (WPMilk) produced on 67 farms located in southern Brazil and the influence of dairy cattle production systems (pasture-based, 57 farms; semi-confined, 7 farms; confinement, 3 farms) on water productivity. Indirect and direct water flows were taken into account and the dairy milk was the output. Pasture yield was estimated based on a weighted average. Indirect water represented >98 % of water consumption for milk production on farms assessed. In the pasture-based system, the WPMilk ranged from 0.27 to 1.46 kg FPCM (Fat Protein Corrected Milk) m-3 of water; in the semi-confined system it ranged from 0.59 to 1.1 kg FPCM m-3; in the confined system, it ranged from 0.89 to 1.09 kg FPCM m-3. Results show that 20 farms in the pasture-based system presented higher WPMilk than the maximum WPMilk of farms in the semi-confined system. Comparing outcomes of farms in the confined system with pasture-based system, similar results were observed with higher WPMilk on 22 farms in the pasture-based system. Results indicate that, regardless of the type of production system, water productivity is influenced by the dairy productivity indicators of the farm, such as milk yield and feed components. The large variability in the WPMilk was expected and reflects the inherent attributes and conditions affecting this indicator, which underlines the importance of assessing it on a farm scale. Consequently, achieving high dairy productivity indicators should be encouraged in the pasture-based system due to the environmental, economic and social advantages for the farmer. Results advance the knowledge about water flows and WPMilk in different dairy cattle production systems besides defining the first benchmarks for WPMilk produced on farms in Brazil.

Application of the DPSEEA Model to Healthcare Waste Management. / A aplicação do modelo FPSEEA no gerenciamento de resíduos de serviço de saúde.

The use of health indicators is indispensable for understanding the complex relationship between the environmental and health fields. For the proposition of environmental health indicators, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) recommends using a model proposed by the World Health Organization. This model is composed of the following elements: Driving Force, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, and Action; it is called the DPSEEA model. The objective of this study is to propose the application of this model in healthcare waste (HCW) management. This study was performed by documentary research using two data sources: a) technical reports on research on HCW from the last 15 years (outpatient, dental, hospital, veterinary, university, and primary care unit) at the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil; and b) the MH manual entitled "Environmental Health: Basic Guide for the Construction of Indicators". The results show that the model is relevant because it makes it possible to analyse a particular context, proposing indicators and defining specific actions for the case of this study, to monitor and improve methods of managing HCW. The results also show that the proposed model is an important analytical tool for both medical waste management and planning actions that will minimize risks, particularly chemical and biological, resulting in environmental health and protection.

Para compreender a complexa relação entre o campo ambiental e o da saúde é indispensável o uso de indicadores. Para propor os de Saúde Ambiental, o Ministério da Saúde recomenda um Modelo proposto pela OMS. Este, denominado Modelo FPSEEA, é composto pelos elementos: Força Motriz, Pressão, Situação, Exposição, Efeito, Ações. O objetivo deste artigo é propor a aplicação deste Modelo no Gerenciamento dos Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde (RSS). Trata-se de pesquisa documental utilizando duas fontes de dados: a) relatórios técnicos de pesquisas sobre RSS dos últimos 15 anos (ambulatorial, odontológico, hospitalar, veterinário, universitário e de UBS) na Universidade de Caxias do Sul; b) Manual do MS "Saúde Ambiental: guia básico para construção de indicadores". Os resultados evidenciam que o Modelo é relevante por permitir analisar determinado contexto, propor indicadores e definir ações específicas para, no caso deste estudo, monitorar e aprimorar formas de manejo dos RSS. Evidenciam, ainda, que o modelo proposto constitui uma importante ferramenta de análise, tanto na MWM, como no planejamento de ações que minimizem os riscos, especialmente biológicos e químicos, resultando em saúde e proteção do ambiente.

Applying Nightingale charts to evaluate the heterogeneity of biomedical waste in a Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the heterogeneity of biomedical waste (BW) using Nightingale charts. METHOD: cross-sectional study consisting of data collection on wastes (direct observation of receptacles, physical characterisation, and gravimetric composition), development of a Management Information System, and creation of statistical charts. RESULTS: the wastes with the greatest degree of heterogeneity are, in order, recyclable, infectious, and organic wastes; chemical waste had the most efficient segregation; Nightingale charts are useful for quick visualisation and systematisation of information on heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: the development of a management information system and the use of Nightingale charts allows for the identification and correction of errors in waste segregation, which increase health risks and contamination by infectious and chemical wastes and reduce the sale and profit from recyclables.

A aplicação do modelo FPSEEA no gerenciamento de resíduos de serviço de saúde / Application of the DPSEEA Model to Healthcare Waste Management

Resumo Para compreender a complexa relação entre o campo ambiental e o da saúde é indispensável o uso de indicadores. Para propor os de Saúde Ambiental, o Ministério da Saúde recomenda um Modelo proposto pela OMS. Este, denominado Modelo FPSEEA, é composto pelos elementos: Força Motriz, Pressão, Situação, Exposição, Efeito, Ações. O objetivo deste artigo é propor a aplicação deste Modelo no Gerenciamento dos Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde (RSS). Trata-se de pesquisa documental utilizando duas fontes de dados: a) relatórios técnicos de pesquisas sobre RSS dos últimos 15 anos (ambulatorial, odontológico, hospitalar, veterinário, universitário e de UBS) na Universidade de Caxias do Sul; b) Manual do MS "Saúde Ambiental: guia básico para construção de indicadores". Os resultados evidenciam que o Modelo é relevante por permitir analisar determinado contexto, propor indicadores e definir ações específicas para, no caso deste estudo, monitorar e aprimorar formas de manejo dos RSS. Evidenciam, ainda, que o modelo proposto constitui uma importante ferramenta de análise, tanto na MWM, como no planejamento de ações que minimizem os riscos, especialmente biológicos e químicos, resultando em saúde e proteção do ambiente.

Abstract The use of health indicators is indispensable for understanding the complex relationship between the environmental and health fields. For the proposition of environmental health indicators, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH) recommends using a model proposed by the World Health Organization. This model is composed of the following elements: Driving Force, Pressure, State, Exposure, Effect, and Action; it is called the DPSEEA model. The objective of this study is to propose the application of this model in healthcare waste (HCW) management. This study was performed by documentary research using two data sources: a) technical reports on research on HCW from the last 15 years (outpatient, dental, hospital, veterinary, university, and primary care unit) at the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil; and b) the MH manual entitled "Environmental Health: Basic Guide for the Construction of Indicators". The results show that the model is relevant because it makes it possible to analyse a particular context, proposing indicators and defining specific actions for the case of this study, to monitor and improve methods of managing HCW. The results also show that the proposed model is an important analytical tool for both medical waste management and planning actions that will minimize risks, particularly chemical and biological, resulting in environmental health and protection.

Avaliação da geração de resíduos de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (REEEs) em uma universidade particular / Evaluation of the electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) generation in a private university

RESUMO Resíduo de equipamento eletroeletrônico (REEE) é um termo utilizado para abranger diversos equipamentos elétricos e eletrônicos que não possuem mais valor para seus proprietários. Este trabalho propôs avaliar a geração de REEEs em uma instituição de ensino superior particular localizada no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para este trabalho foram utilizados dados de equipamentos eletroeletrônicos (EEEs) disponíveis no sistema de informações da universidade, o qual totalizava 51.066 itens, englobando aproximadamente 17 anos de dados. Verificou-se que o principal REEE gerado pela instituição são equipamentos de informática e telecomunicações (48,2%), seguido pelos grandes eletrodomésticos (14,4%), instrumentos de monitoramento (13,3%), ferramentas elétricas e eletrônicas (10,9%) e equipamentos de consumo (9,8%). Foram contabilizados 414 diferentes tipos de EEEs na instituição; porém, observa-se que, com exceção dos instrumentos de monitoramento, os 2 principais EEEs de cada categoria contabilizam sozinhos mais de 50% de suas respectivas categorias. Identificou-se que a maior parte dos REEEs (29,3%) da instituição são gerados no bloco administrativo da universidade, seguido pelas salas de informática (17,3%). Esses dois setores se caracterizam por utilizarem EEEs de rápida obsolescência, enquanto áreas como as Ciências Biológicas e, parcialmente, as Ciências Exatas, devido ao elevado número de equipamentos analíticos utilizados, possuem EEEs com um ciclo de vida maior, reduzindo assim a geração desses resíduos. Todas essas características resultam em uma grande complexidade na gestão de REEEs em unidades de ensino superior, em especial devido à grande variedade encontrada, sendo muitos deles de difícil reciclagem.

ABSTRACT Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an expression used to refer to several pieces of equipment that are no longer valuable for their owners. This study evaluated the WEEE generation in a private higher education institution, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In this study, we used data from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) available in the university information system, which amounted 51.066 items during 17 years. The main WEEE generated by the institution was Information technology (IT) and telecommunications equipment (48.2%), followed by large household appliances (14.4%), monitoring and control instruments (13.3%), electrical and electronic tools (10.9%) and consumer equipment (9.8%). Over 414 EEE classes were identified in the institution, although, except for monitoring and control instruments, the 2 main EEEs in each class correspond to at least 50% of its categories. In addition, it was noticed that the majority of WEEE was generated by the university administration (29.3%), followed by the computer classrooms (17.3%). These two areas feature low life EEEs, while other areas like Biology and Exact Sciences, due to the high number of analytics equipment used, have EEEs with longer life cycle, resulting in smaller waste generation. All these characteristics result in a great complexity in WEEE management in higher education institutions, mostly due to the considerable diversity, increasing the recycling complexity.

Applying Nightingale charts to evaluate the heterogeneity of biomedical waste in a Hospital / Aplicação de gráficos nightingaleanos para avaliação da heterogeneidade de Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde de um hospital / Aplicación de gráficos Nightingale para la evaluación de la heterogeneidad de los residuos sanitarios en un Hospital

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the heterogeneity of biomedical waste (BW) using Nightingale charts. METHOD: cross-sectional study consisting of data collection on wastes (direct observation of receptacles, physical characterisation, and gravimetric composition), development of a Management Information System, and creation of statistical charts. RESULTS: the wastes with the greatest degree of heterogeneity are, in order, recyclable, infectious, and organic wastes; chemical waste had the most efficient segregation; Nightingale charts are useful for quick visualisation and systematisation of information on heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: the development of a management information system and the use of Nightingale charts allows for the identification and correction of errors in waste segregation, which increase health risks and contamination by infectious and chemical wastes and reduce the sale and profit from recyclables. .

OBJETIVO: avaliar a heterogeneidade dos Resíduos de Serviço de Saúde por meio da aplicação de gráficos nightingaleanos. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, que consiste na coleta de dados sobre resíduos (observação direta dos locais de armazenamento, caracterização física e composição gravimétrica), desenvolvimento de um Sistema de Informação Gerencial e construção de gráficos estatísticos. RESULTADOS: os resíduos que apresentam maior grau de heterogeneidade são os recicláveis, infectantes e orgânicos, respectivamente; o resíduo químico atingiu maior eficiência na segregação; os gráficos nightingaleanos são úteis na visualização rápida e na sistematização das informações sobre a heterogeneidade. CONCLUSÃO: o desenvolvimento de um sistema de informação gerencial e a utilização dos gráficos nigthingaleanos permite identificar e corrigir erros na segregação dos resíduos que impactam tanto no aumento de riscos à saúde e de contaminação por resíduos infectantes e químicos como na redução da comercialização e receita com os recicláveis. .

OBJETIVO: evaluar la heterogeneidad de los residuos sanitarios (RS) usando gráficos Nightingale. MÉTODO: estudio transversal que consiste en la recopilación de datos sobre los residuos (observación directa de los recipientes, caracterización física y composición gravimétrica), desarrollo de un Sistema de Información para la Gestión y creación de gráficos estadísticos. RESULTADOS: los residuos con el mayor grado de heterogeneidad son los reciclables, infecciosos, y los residuos orgánicos, respectivamente; la segregación de los residuos químicos fue la más eficiente; los gráficos Nightingale son útiles para la visualización rápida y sistematización de la información sobre la heterogeneidad. CONCLUSIÓN: el desarrollo de un sistema de información para la gestión y el uso de gráficos Nightingale permiten la identificación y corrección de errores en la separación de los residuos; dichos errores aumentan los riesgos de salud y la contaminación por residuos infecciosos y químicos, y reducen la venta y beneficio obtenible de los materiales reciclables. .