Aplicação de uma metodologia de screening para avaliar a mortalidade por câncer em municípios selecionados do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Screening methodology application to evaluate cancer mortality in selected cities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Iniciou-se uma investigação epidemiológica em municípios do sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil, considerando a possibilidade de aumento na incidência de câncer devido a maior exposição à radiação natural em alguns deles. Buscou-se, preliminarmente, conhecer o padrão de mortalidade por câncer, avaliar se existe excesso de óbitos e discutir os possíveis fatores de risco associados a esse aumento. Propõe-se uma metodologia de screening com base na razão de mortalidade padronizada (RMP) para classificar os municípios prioritários em estudos futuros. Os municípios considerados de altíssima prioridade para investigação foram: Andradas - câncer de pulmão em homens [RMP = 208 (106-310)] e fígado em mulheres [RMP = 403 (104-701)]; Poços de Caldas - leucemia em homens e mulheres (RMP = 284 (156-412) e RMP = 211 (111-312), respectivamente); Pouso Alegre - leucemia em homens [RMP = 333 (127-540)] e cânceres hematológicos em mulheres [RMP = 257 (188-396)].Estudos epidemiológicos devem ser conduzidos para avaliar a contribuição da radiação e outros fatores de riscos relacionados ao câncer e assim subsidiar futuras medidas de prevenção e controle.

An epidemiological investigation was launched in several cities in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, considering the possibility of increased cancer incidence due to high exposure to natural radiation. First, the cancer mortality patterns were assessed to determine whether there was an increase in cancer deaths and to discuss the possible risk factors related to such an increase. The study proposed the use of a screening methodology based on standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in order to classify priority areas for future studies. Cities considered high priority for further investigation were: Andradas, for lung cancer in men (SMR = 208 (106-310)) and liver cancer in women (SMR = 403 (104-701)); Poços de Caldas, leukemia in men and women (SMR = 284 (156-412)) and SMR = 211 (111-312), respectively); Pouso Alegre, leukemia in men (SMR = 333 (127-540)) and hematological cancers in women (SMR = 257 (188-396)). Epidemiological studies are necessary to evaluate the role of radiation and other risk factors in these cancers and thus to support future preventive and control measures.

Water quality criteria: application of a procedural approach of numeric criteria and risk assessment protocols to regulated toxicant concentrations in the aquatic environment

The purpose of this study is to discuss the adequacy of developing water quality criteria based on site/region specific conditions in place of using general legal standards to protect human health from the impacts of pollutants in aquatic systems. Human noncarcinogenic criteria (HNC) were developed for Zn, Mn, Ni, Hg, As and Cd and compared with legal standards adopted in Brazil and the US. Uncertainty analyses were carried ou to provide a quantitative estimate of the variation range of HNC model outputs. Finally a risk assessment based on a scenario of Hg pollution in a river in the Amazon basin was carried out. It has been found that with the exception of As and Cd, the Brazilian legal standar values are more restrictive than the HNC values. It is pointed out that the HNC equation is only based on the protection of human health and thus, it does not consider the protection of aquatic life. The risk assessment concerning Hg contamination suggested that the local riverine population is exposed to due Hg concentrations and adverse health effects are likely to occur.

Risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in Jacarepaguá coastal lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The purpose of this work is to present risk estimation as an alternative procedure in environmental pollution assessments. The study addresses heavy metal pollution in the coastal lagoon of Jacarepaguß. The results demonstrate that both local human populations and ecological communities are not subjected to undue risks caused by heavy metal exposures in that water body. A procedure to calculate numeric water quality criteria for toxic substances is discussed and the obtained results are compared to Brazilian legal standards.