Intoxicações de mercúrio e chumbo com maior prevalência em crianças e trabalhadores no Paraná / Intoxications by mercury and lead with higher prevalence in children and workers in Paraná

Resumo Introdução A intoxicação exógena é um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil. Objetivo Analisar os casos de intoxicação por metais na população do estado do Paraná e estimar a taxa de prevalência, bem como os fatores associados. Método Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com base nas intoxicações notificadas no período de 2007 a 2015. Resultados foram identificados 117 casos de intoxicação por metais e estimada uma prevalência de 1,2 caso por milhão de habitantes, com predomínio de casos no macrorregional norte da saúde. Com relação aos agentes tóxicos, mercúrio (41%) e chumbo (40,2%) foram confirmados como os mais frequentes. Dentre esses casos, houve predomínio do sexo masculino (57,3%), na faixa etária de 20 a 59 anos (55,6%), seguido da faixa etária de 1 a 4 anos (28,2%). Além disso, a residência e o local de trabalho foram destacados como locais de maior exposição, sendo relatados como acidentais em 70,1% dos casos, dos quais 41,9% necessitaram de cuidados hospitalares, 91% evoluíram para cura e houve um óbito. Conclusão A intoxicação por metais tem afetado principalmente crianças e trabalhadores, sugerindo medidas educativas e preventivas.

Abstract Background Exogenous intoxication is an important public health problem in Brazil. Objective Analyze cases of metal poisoning in the population of Paraná state and estimate the prevalence rate, as well as the associated factors. Method A descriptive study based on intoxications that were reported from 2007 to 2015 was performed. Results 117 cases of metal poisoning were identified and a prevalence rate of 1.2 cases per million inhabitants was estimated, with a predominance of cases on the northern health macro-regional complex. With respect to toxic agents, mercury (41%) and lead (40.2%) were confirmed as the most frequent ones. Among these cases, there was a predominance of males (57.3%), aged between 20 and 59 years old (55.6%), followed by the age group from 1 to 4 years old (28.2%). In addition, the residence and work place were highlighted as places of greatest exposure, being reported as accidental one in 70.1% of the cases, of which 41.9% required hospital cares, 91% evolved to cure and there was one death. Conclusion The metal poisoning has affected mainly children and workers, suggesting educational and preventive measures.

High performance on the moisture reduction in waste oils by a bentonite-based adsorption process.

In this work, the reduction of the moisture content from waste oils by a bentonite-based adsorption process was investigated as an alternative for reuse in energy production. Waste cooking oil (WCO) and waste poultry fat (WPF) were characterised (moisture and viscosity, values of acidity, saponification, and peroxide), as well as bentonite clay adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to define the best moisture adsorption condition by bentonite-based adsorbent regarding a full factorial experimental design (FFED). In the framework of RSM, the adsorbent mass, oil acidity, and agitation speed were varied in three levels in the range of 1.5-3.0 g, 1-38 mgKOH goil-1, and 50-150 rpm, respectively, while the adsorption time was fixed in 24 h. Under the best moisture adsorption condition, kinetic tests were performed in a 1-24 h contact time range, besides performing equilibrium adsorption tests at 5 h contact time. Around 90% moisture removal was attained with 1.5 g adsorbent, acidity value of 1 mgKOH goil-1, and 50 rpm agitation speed, achieving the equilibrium in 5 h. A multilayer adsorption process, as described by the BET isotherm model, was acting in dried bentonite clay, allowing getting excellent moisture adsorption capacity (∼200 mgwater gBent-1). Therefore, moisture removal from waste oils by a bentonite clay-based adsorption process has provided results that are suitable and recommendable for economically viable biodiesel production.

Insights into brewery wastewater treatment by the electro-Fenton hybrid process: How to get a significant decrease in organic matter and toxicity.

This work aimed to perform selective experimental arrays based on the electro-Fenton hybrid (EFH) process for pollutants abatement and toxicity reduction in brewery wastewater (BW). Fenton and electrocoagulation (EC) methods were assessed preliminarily, including the Fe2+ catalyst yield and H2O2 loss. Each method performance on reducing total organic carbon (TOC) was assessed using a 33 full factorial design (FFD). Firstly, Fe2+ species were produced in short time ranges with the electric current density at 50 A m-2 and electrical conductivity at 1200 µS cm-1, followed by EFH experiments with an initial addition of 9.0 g L-1 H2O2. In three levels, initial pH (2.5-3.5) values, Fe2+ production-dedicated time (5-15 min), and H2O2 renovating percentage (70-90%) were also evaluated, assessing TOC removal. Secondly, nine EFH kinetics, upon the addition of an initial 9.0 g L-1 H2O2 along with H2O2 addition at 82.5%, every 5 min, and three levels for pH (3.0-3.4) were carried out, beginning after three Fe2+ production-dedicated times (4-6 min). Thirdly, another 60 min kinetic experiment was proposed, with an initial 6 min EC process, followed by a 39 min EFH process, and finally, a 15 min EC process, assessing TOC removal and remaining toxicity. A significant improvement in TOC removal performance, about 90%, along with high toxicity reduction was attained after a refined EFH-based treatment. Therefore, keeping permanent EFH conditions with more suitable parameters provided a unique perspective for removing highly significant pollutants.

Landfill leachate treatment by a boron-doped diamond-based photo-electro-Fenton system integrated with biological oxidation: A toxicity, genotoxicity and by products assessment.

A photo-electro-Fenton (PEF) reactor employing boron-doped diamond (BDD) and soft iron anodes was studied in landfill leachate (LL) treatment. The reactor operation parameters (ROP) H2O2 concentration, current intensity and flow rate were investigated in the removal of Abs 254 nm. The PEF process with BDD anode, operating at the best operational conditions, was used as a pre-treatment and enabled biological oxidation (BO). The treatment strategy of PEF followed by BO showed to be the most efficient, reaching reductions of 77.9% chemical oxygen demand (COD), 71.5% total carbon (TC) and 76.3% radiation absorbance in 254 nm (Abs 254 nm), as well as a significant reduction in the genotoxicity (Allium cepa), observed by an increase in the mitotic index (MI) (131.5%) and decrease in the abnormalities (47.8%). The reduction of the toxic potential of LL using the integration of processes was also observed in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) byproducts analysis, which indicated the removal of emerging contaminants, such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) and Diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP). Thus, the PEF process integrated with BO presented a considerable efficiency in the removal of contaminants present in LL, becoming an alternative for the minimization of the environmental impacts caused by the discharge of this effluent in the environment.

Elevadas concentrações de metais em águas do córrego São José, Cascavel (PR), e possíveis riscos à saúde / High metal concentrations in the stream São José, Cascavel (PR) and possible health risks

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade da água do córrego São José, afluente do rio Boi Piguá, e seu risco à saúde da população do entorno do Aterro Sanitário Municipal da cidade de Cascavel (PR). Foram monitorados parâmetros físico-químicos e elementos em nível de traço, em quatro pontos ao longo do córrego São José durante vinte e quatro meses. Também foi aplicado questionário à população, que mantém contato com a água desse córrego. Foram detectadas concentrações dos elementos químicos As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Hg, Se e V em desconformidade aos limites máximos permitidos pela legislação ambiental, além dos valores de oxigênio dissolvido e condutividade elétrica. Verificou-se que a qualidade da água foi influenciada negativamente pela presença do aterro sanitário. Além disso, doenças gastrointestinais, dermatites e alterações organolépticas na água foram relatadas pela comunidade. Problemas de saúde da população no entorno podem estar possivelmente vinculados ao uso das águas do córrego

The water quality of the stream São José, an effluent of the river Boi Piguá, and health risks to the population living around the Municipal Landfill in Cascavel, Brazil, is assessed. Physical and chemical parameters and trace elements were monitored at four sites throughout the stream São José during twenty-four months. A questionnaire was applied to people who were in contact with water from the stream. Concentrations of the chemical elements As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Hg, Se and V were detected, in non-compliance with maximum limits permitted by environmental legislation, coupled to rates of dissolved oxygen and electric conductivity. Water quality was negatively affected by the proximity of the sanitary landfill. Gastrointestinal diseases, dermatitis and organoleptic modifications in the water were reported. Health problems of the people living in the area may be related to the use of the stream water

Complex mathematical analysis of photobioreactor system.

Modeling as a tool solves extremely difficult tasks in life sciences. Recently, schemes of culturing of microalgae have received special attention because of its unique features and possible uses in many industrial applications for renewable energy production and high value products isolation. The goal of this review is to present the use of system analysis theory applied to microalgae culturing modeling and process development. The review mainly focuses on the modeling of the key steps of autotrophic growth under the integral biorefinery concept of the microalgae biomass. The system approach follows systematically a procedure showing the difficulties by modeling of sub-systems. The development of microalgae kinetics and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies were analyzed in details as sub-systems in advanced design of photobioreactor (PBR). This review logically follows the trends of the modeling procedure and clarifies how this approach may save time and money during the research efforts. The result of this work is a successful development of a complex PBR mathematical analysis in the frame of the integral biorefinery concept.

Insights on limits of detection, precision and accuracy in TXRF analysis of trace and major elements in environmental solid suspensions.

In this work, the analytical capability of the total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique with the S2 PICOFOX spectrometer was investigated. A set of certified reference materials was prepared as solid particulate for TXRF analysis. Experimental data of sensitivity, limits of detection and recovery for many elements were obtained. Good sensitivity and limits of detection with a good recovery range of around 90-110% were achieved. Thus, the TXRF technique exhibits a good analytical potential for its applicability on different materials.

Insights on the criteria of selection of vegetable and mineral dielectric fluids used in power transformers on the basis of their biodegradability and toxicity assessments.

Leakage of transformer dielectric fluids is a concern because it may pose a risk of environmental contamination. In this study, the deleterious effects of vegetable and mineral dielectric fluids in water bodies were investigated using biodegradability and acute toxicity tests with Danio rerio and Artemia salina. Regarding biodegradability, all four tested vegetable oils (soy, canola, sunflower and crambe) were considered as easily biodegradable, presenting degradation rates significantly higher than the Lubrax-type mineral fluid. Acute toxicity tests were performed in two separate experiments without solution renewal. In the first experiment, the organisms were exposed in direct contact to different concentrations of vegetable (soy) and mineral (Lubrax) oils. Total soy-type vegetable oil has a higher toxic effect than Lubrax-type mineral oil. In the second experiment, the organisms were exposed to increasing percentages of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of both types of tested oils. The LC50 values for the water-soluble fraction of the Lubrax-type mineral oil were about 5 and 8% for the Danio rerio and Artemia salina bioindicators, respectively, whereas the vegetable oil did not present toxic effect, regardless of its WSF. These results have shown that a strict selection of dielectric fluids and monitoring the leakage from power transformers is a serious duty of environmental protection agencies.

Soybean plant-based toxicity assessment and phytoremediation of soils contaminated by vegetable and mineral oils used in power electrical transformers.

In this work, deleterious effects in soils due to the presence of dielectric fluids were investigated. For this purpose, vegetable (Envirotemp® FR3) and mineral (Lubrax AV 66 IN) oils were used for simulating a set of soils contaminated in different oil contents (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%) in which three 120-days soybean crop periods (SCP) were carried out using the species Glycine max (L.) Merr. Both soil and soybean plant samples were analysed on following the changes on chemical attributes, content of oils and greases (COG) in soils and phytotechnical characteristics of soybean plant. No significant changes on soil chemical attributes were found. For a 0.5% vegetable oil fraction, COG removals of 35, 60 and 90% were observed after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd SCPs, respectively, whereas removals of 25, 40 and 70% were observed for 0.5% mineral oil fraction after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd SCPs, respectively. There was an effectively accumulated removal on all tested oil fractions as being proportional to the integrated 120-days SCPs, suggesting a lesser number of crops for a complete abatement of oil fraction in soil. A 100% recovery on the seedlings emergence fractions was also evidenced, revealing that at least a number of 7 and 9 SCPs should be applied continuously in soils contaminated by vegetable and mineral oils, respectively, in order to no longer jeopardize soybean plant growth. Finally, an empirical prediction of the number of SCPs necessary for the complete removal of oil from the soil was proposed.

Groundwater quality monitoring of the Serra Geral aquifer in Toledo, Brazil.

In this work, a physical-chemical, elemental and microbiological groundwater monitoring was performed on wells of the Serra Geral aquifer, located in the western region of the Brazilian state of Paraná, along with an evaluation of the elemental composition of soil sediments in the region of groundwater monitoring. The monitoring was carried out in 10 wells distributed throughout the rural area of the municipality of Toledo-PR. Elemental analyses were performed using the analytical technique of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. From the results obtained, it was observed that in some wells, iron and lead concentrations were above the maximum limits allowed by the Brazilian legislation in some months, demonstrating that the evaluated groundwater is susceptible to contamination. By the analysis of the soil sediments, the presence of iron and lead in the region soil/rock was verified, which may be associated to rainwater percolation making it necessary to periodically monitor the groundwater consumed by the population of the municipality of Toledo-PR.

Análise de morbidade de população residente na Bacia do Córrego Bezerra com evidências de poluição por metais, Cascavel ­ PR / Analysis of morbidity in the population living at Bezerra Stream Basin with evidences of metal pollutants, Cascavel - PR

As águas do córrego Bezerra, Cascavel-PR, contém elementos químicos em concentrações acima do permitido pela legislação ambiental vigente. Porém não há estudos sobre possível associação com doenças da população exposta. Neste contexto, investigou-se a morbidade prevalente na população que vive na bacia do córrego Bezerra, baseados nos dados coletados dos prontuários dos usuários da Unidade Básica de Saúde de Santa Cruz. As principais morbidades observadas foram: sinais e sintomas (18%), doenças do sistema respiratório (17%) e circulatório (16%). Embora não haja uma ligação específica com a poluição ambiental, é necessário obter maiores evidências em relação à conexão de contaminação causada por metais nas águas do córrego Bezerra. Assim, houve predominância de doenças crônicas, coexistindo com doenças infecciosas, porém sem associação ao meio ambiente aquático poluído, levando à necessidade de novos estudos (AU).

The waters of Bezerra stream, in the city of Cascavel, state of Paraná, contain chemicals in concentrations exceeding the maximum values allowed by the current environmental laws, with no proper studies about a possible relation to diseases in the exposed population. In this context, the morbidity prevalent in the population who lives at Bezerra stream basin was investigated, based on data collected from the users' medical records from the basic health unit in Santa Cruz. The main morbidities observed were: signs and symptoms (18%), respiratory (17%) and circulatory (16%) diseases. Although there is no specific linkage with environmental pollution, it is necessary to get further evidence regarding the connection with metal contamination of Bezerra stream waters. Thus, there was a predominance of chronic diseases, coexisting with infectious diseases, but not related to the polluted environment, leading to the need for further studies (AU).

Aplicação da técnica de eletrocoagulação no tratamento de efluentes de abatedouro de aves / Application of the electrocoagulation technique on the treatment of wastewaters coming from a poultry slaughterhouse

RESUMO Neste trabalho a técnica de eletrocoagulação (EC) foi aplicada no tratamento de efluentes de abatedouro de aves. Um planejamento experimental fatorial completo 3³, foi realizado com o intuito de obter os valores ótimos de três variáveis do processo EC (corrente elétrica, pH e tempo de eletrólise). O desempenho foi avaliado pela eficiência da remoção da cor, a turbidez e a demanda química de oxigênio (DQO). As condições ótimas do processo foram obtidas para o pH inicial 8, tempo de eletrólise de 50 min e intensidade de corrente de 2 A. Entre os parâmetros de qualidade avaliados, os valores da cor e turbidez na condição ótima de operação estão de acordo com a legislação brasileira de lançamentos de efluentes líquidos em corpos de água receptores, classe III. Embora houvesse uma boa redução na quantidade inicial de DQO (de 9.252 para 830 mgL-1), esta não possui um limite recomendado pela legislação ambiental em vigor. Contudo, um polimento adicional dentro de um sistema integrado de processos levaria a valores ainda menores. Do ponto de vista do custo operacional e a substancial redução dos poluentes (90-99%), a eletrocoagulação pode ser considerada como uma técnica alternativa e promissora a ser aplicada no tratamento de efluentes de abatedouros de aves.

ABSTRACT In this work an electrocoagulation (EC) process was applied on the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewaters. A 33 full factorial experimental design was carried out for obtaining optimal values of three EC reactor parameters (electric current, initial pH and electrolysis time). The performance was evaluated by the removal efficiency of color, turbidity and COD. The optimum process conditions were obtained for the initial pH 8 , electrolysis time of 50 min and electric current of 2 A. Among the evaluated quality parameters, the values of color and turbidity at the optimum operation condition are in accordance with the Brazilian legislation for liquid effluent discharges into receiving 3rd class water bodies. Although there was a good reduction on the initial amount of COD (from 9252 to 830 mgL-1), such parameter has no a recommended limit value in this regard. However, an additional polishing in an integrated process would lead to even lower values. From the point of view of operating costs and substantial reduction of pollutants (90-99%), the electrocoagulation technique can be considered a promising alternative one to be applied on the wastewaters treatment from poultry slaughterhouses.

Toxicity assessment of tannery effluent treated by an optimized photo-Fenton process.

In this work, an optimized photo-Fenton process was applied to remove pollutants from tannery industrial effluent (TIE) with its final toxicity level being assessed by a lettuce-seed-based bioassay test. A full 33 factorial design was applied for the optimization of long-term photo-Fenton experiments. The oPtimum conditions of the photo-Fenton process were attained at concentration values of 0.3 g Fe(2+) L(-1) and 20 g H2O2 L(-1) and pH3, for 120 min UV irradiation time. Reactor operating parameter (ROP) effects on the removal of chemical oxygen demand, colour, turbidity, total suspended solids and total volatile solids were evaluated, suggesting that a broad range of ROP values are also suitable to give results very near to those of the photo-Fenton experiments under optimal conditions. Based on the low calculated median lethal dose (LD50) values from a lettuce-seed-based bioassay test, we suggest that recalcitrant substances are present in treated TIE samples. A possible cause of the high toxicity level could partly be attributed to the nitrate concentration, which was not completely abated by the photo-Fenton process. Apart from this, the photo-Fenton process can be used as a part of an industrial effluent treatment system in order to abate high organic pollutant loads.

Optimised photocatalytic degradation of a mixture of azo dyes using a TiO(2)/H(2)O(2)/UV process.

The aim of the present study was to optimise the photocatalytic degradation of a mixture of six commercial azo dyes, by exposure to UV radiation in an aqueous solution containing TiO(2)-P25. Response surface methodology, based on a 3(2) full factorial experimental design with three replicates was employed for process optimisation with respect to two parameters: TiO(2) (0.1-0.9 g/L) and H(2)O(2) (1-100 mmol/L). The optimum conditions for photocatalytic degradation were achieved at concentrations of 0.5 g TiO(2)/L and 50 mmol H(2)O(2)/L, respectively. Dye mineralisation was confirmed by monitoring TOC, conductivity, sulfate and nitrate ions, with a sulfate ion yield of 96% under optimal reactor conditions. Complete decolorisation was attained after 240 min irradiation time for all tested azo-dyes, in a process which followed a pseudo-first kinetic order model, with a kinetic rate constant of approximately 0.018 min(-1). Based on these results, this photocatalytic process has promise as an alternative for the treatment of textile effluents.

Correlation between heavy metal ions (copper, zinc, lead) concentrations and root length of Allium cepa L. in polluted river water

The present work was performed using the common onion (Allium cepa L.) as a bioindicator of toxicity of heavy metals in river water. The test waters were collected at two sampling sites: at the beginning and the end of the Toledo River. The bulbs of A. cepa L. were grown in test water with nine concentration levels of copper, zinc and lead from 0.1 to 50 ppm. In the laboratory, the influence of these test liquids on the root growth was examined during five days. For test liquids containing below 0.03-ppm dissolved Cu the root growth was reduced by 40 percent However, the same reduction occurred for 1-ppm dissolved Zn. For dissolved Pb, results reveal toxicity above 0.1 and 0.6 ppm at the beginning and the end of the Toledo river water, respectively.