Behavior of metals, pathogen parasites, and indicator bacteria in sewage effluents during biological treatment by activated sludge.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behavior of metals, pathogen parasites, and indicator bacteria in sewage effluents during biological treatment by activated sludge in a wastewater treatment plant in Ribeirão Preto (WTP-RP), Sao Paulo, Brazil. The evaluation was done during a period of 1 year. Results showed that metal concentrations in treated effluents decreased, reaching concentrations according to those established by national regulations. The activated sludge process at the WTP-RP promoted a partial removal of parasites considered as possible indicators according to the WHO guidelines. Reduction factors varied between 18.2% and 100% for agents such as Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hystolitica, Giardia sp., Ancylostoma sp., Ascaris sp., Fasciola hepatica, and Strongyloides stercoralis. A removal was also observed in total and fecal coliforms quantification. The present study represents an initial evaluation of the chemical and microbiological removal capacity of the WTP-RP. The results should be of interest for the authorities responsible for the environmental health at municipal, regional, national, and international levels.

Metal levels in sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) samples from an area under the influence of a municipal landfill and a medical waste treatment system in Brazil.

In July 2003, duplicated samples of roots, stems and leaves of sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) were collected in 25 points of an area under direct influence of the municipal landfill site (MLS) and medical waste treatment system (MWTS) of Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The following concentrations (mg/kg) were found in roots: Cd, 0.22+/-0.12; Cr, 64.3+/-48.7; Cu, 140.6+/-27.7; Hg, 0.04+/-0.02; Mn, 561.6+/-283.3; Pb, 7.9+/-2.1 and Zn, 177.4+/-64.9. For some metals, these levels are higher than the concentrations previously reported for different plants, reaching, in some cases, values that might be considered toxic for vegetables. Metal levels in stems were 80-90% of those found in roots, while the concentrations detected in leaves were significantly lower than those in roots. The present results suggest that MLS and MWTS activities might have been increasing metal concentrations in edible tissues of sugar cane grown in the area under their influence. Moreover, the traditional agricultural practices in the production of sugar cane could be also another determinant factor to reach the current metal levels. The results of this study indicate that sugar cane is a crop that is able to grow in areas where metals in soils are accumulated.

Metales pesados en agua de bebederos de presión / Heavy metals in water of drinking fountains

The purpose of this study was to analyze the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), cooper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) in the water of drinking fountains distributed in the Campus of the University of São Paulo. Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Thirty random samples were collected in different parts of the Campus that were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. According to WHO's Drinking Water Guidelines; lead, cadmium and zinc were found in concentrations higher than those recommended in 40 per cent, 20 per cent and 13 per cent of the samples, respectively. The results were analyzed considering nutritional and toxicological aspects related to the presence of essential and toxic elements for the human being. Reviewing the regulatory limits established in ten countries of America, authors focus in the necessity to find a consensus in the establishment of the higher levels of heavy metals in potable water. The tolerable daily intake, have to be the basis to assure the prevention of diseases associated with a long-term ingestion of these elements through foods.

[Monitoring of vegetables sold in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil]. / Fiscalização de verduras comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP.

The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercial concerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevated concentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in 33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were: grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs (69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributed among these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the food offered to the population.

Fiscalização de verduras comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP / Monitoring of vegetables sold in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

The ingestion of raw vegetables represents an important means of transmission of several infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the vegetables commercially sold in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Of a total of 172 commercial concerns analyzed, 115 (67%) presented irregularities in the vegetables they sold, such as elevated concentration of fecal coliforms in 63%, presence of Salmonella in 9%, and presence of enteroparasites in 33%. The commercial concerns with the highest frequencies of vegetables showing inadequate results were: grocery stores (92%), CEAGESP (75%), fruit and vegetables stores (71%), traveling vendors (71%), fairs (69%), supermarkets (52%), and vegetable gardens (18%). The type of contamination was uniformly distributed among these commercial concerns. Most of the contaminated vegetables (61%) were from gardens located in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto. Considering the high frequency of fecal contamination and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement in the sanitary surveillance of the food offered to the population.

O consumo de verduras cruas constitui importante meio de transmissão de várias doenças infecciosas. Este estudo tem como objetivo a avaliação microbiológica e parasitológica de verduras comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, abrangendo todos os pontos de venda ao consumidor. Do total de 172 estabelecimentos fixos ou ambulantes analisados, 115 (67%) apresentaram hortaliças com irregularidades: elevada concentração de coliformes fecais em 63%, presença de Salmonella em 9% e de enteroparasitas em 33%. Os pontos de venda com maior freqüência de hortaliças com resultados inadequados foram: mercearias (92%), CEAGESP (75%), quitandas (71%), vendedores ambulantes (71%), feiras-livres (69%), supermercados (52%) e hortas (18%). O tipo de contaminação apresentou distribuição uniforme em relação aos locais de venda e à variedade da hortaliça. A maioria (61%) das verduras contaminadas era procedente de hortas localizadas no município de Ribeirão Preto. Considerando a elevada freqüência de contaminação fecal e o potencial risco de doenças veiculadas pelas hortaliças, sugerimos uma vigilância sanitária mais atuante na fiscalização de alimentos oferecidos à população.

[Monitoring of lettuce crops of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil]. / Fiscalização de hortas produtoras de verduras do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP.

The ingesting of raw vegetables plays an important role in the transmission of several infectious diseases due to the high frequency of irrigation with wastewater. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary conditions of all lettuce producing crops in Ribeirão Preto through microbiological and parasitological analysis of both irrigation water and lettuce together with the implantation of an effective crop monitoring. Laboratory analysis of 129 crops showed irregularities in 26 (20.1%) of these: high concentration of fecal coliforms in 17% of the lettuce, presence of Salmonella in 3.1% and several enteroparasites (Ascaris sp, Ancylostomidae, Strongyloides sp, Hymenolepis nana, and Giardia sp ) in 13.1%. Persistent irregularities determined the definitive closing down of one producer; all of the remaining 128 crops were eventually approved, thus demonstrating the efficacy of lettuce crop monitoring. Crops approved in the laboratory analysis were awarded a Sanitary Inspection Certificate - an unprecedented procedure in our Country - that resulted in a better acceptance of the monitoring.

Problem-posing in education: transformation of the practice of the health professional.

This study was developed by a group of professionals from different areas (nurses and educators) concerned with health education. It proposes the use of a problem-posing model for the transformation of professional practice. The concept and functions of the model and their relationships with the educative practice of health professionals are discussed. The model of problem-posing education is presented (compared to traditional, "banking" education), and four innovative experiences of teaching-learning are reported based on this model. These experiences, carried out in areas of environmental and occupational health and patient education have shown the applicability of the problem-posing model to the practice of the health professional, allowing transformation.

[Compulsory notification of cysticercosis in Ribeiräo Preto-SP, Brazil]. / Notificação compulsória da cisticercose em Ribeirão Preto-SP.

Cysticercosis is a severe public health problem in several regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Epidemiologic studies based on the frequency of cases observed in specialized neurology, neurosurgery and computed tomography services, at autopsy and in seroepidemiologic studies do not permit the determination of the true prevalence of the disease in the population. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of cysticercosis by compulsory notification. The coefficient of prevalence was 54 cases/100,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto. The results also indicated that cysticercosis is not under control in our region since 21% of cases presented the active form of the disease. Compulsory notification proved to be a valuable resource for the epidemiologic study of cysticercosis, also permitting the mapping of more affected areas for a better direction of prevention strategies.

[Ecological awareness and health services wastes]. / Consciência ecológica e os resíduos de serviços de saúde.

Environmental clean-up involves a series of factors, among them the question of solid wastes, which are not always properly managed. The problem is more serious with respect to medical waste. The awareness of people and the attention of administrators are of fundamental importance for an equilibrated coexistence with the physical environment.