Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica da água em bebedourosde uma instituição de ensino superior de Caxias do Sul - RS / Microbiological quality evaluation of drinking water fountains in a higher education institution of Caxias do Sul - RS

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da água de bebedouros destinada ao consumo humano de uma instituição de ensino superior em Caxias do Sul-RS. Métodos: O método utilizado para bactérias heterotróficas foi o spread plate, e, para coliformes totais, Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa sendo que o método é a ausência ou presença com substrato enzimático. Foram coletadas oito amostras, cada uma com aproximadamente 150 mL de água em frascos esterilizados após desinfecção dos bicos dos bebedouros com álcool 70%. Resultados: Na primeira coleta, o bebedouro 4 foi o único que apresentou alterações, com presença de 4,5 x 101 de bactérias heterotróficas, no entanto, este nível estava de acordo com a quantidade permitida. Na segunda coleta, todas as amostras apresentaram positividade para bactérias heterotróficas, porém a amostra de número 3 estava no limite aceito pela legislação, e as demais mostraram resultados superiores a 500 UFC/mL. Todas as amostras foram negativas para as análises de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coliformes totais e Escherichia coli. Conclusão: Apesar de os resultados terem sido negativos para Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coliformes totais e Escherichia coli, três amostras apresentaram valores superiores ao aceito pela portaria para bactérias heterotróficas, expondo números superiores a 500 UFC/mL. Conclui-se que esta água é considerada inadequada para consumo humano, baseando-se nos padrões de potabilidade estabelecidos pela portaria vigente.

Objective: To evaluate the microbiological quality of drinking water from drinking fountains intended for human consumption at a higher education institution in Caxias do Sul-RS. Methods: The method used for heterotrophic bacteria was spread plate and for total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa the method is absence or presence with enzyme-substrate. Eight samples were collected, each with approximately 150mL of water in sterilized bottles, after disinfection of the drinking nozzles with 70%. Results: In the first collection, the drinker 4 was the only one that presented alterations, with a presence of 4,5 x 10¹ of heterotrophic bacteria, however this level was in agreement with the quantity allowed. In the second sample, all samples were positive for heterotrophic bacteria, but the number 3 sample was within the limit accepted by the legislation, the others showed results higher than 500 CFU/mL. All Samples were negative for the analyzes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total coliforms and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: Although the results were negative for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total coliforms and for Escherichia coli, three samples presented higher values than those accepted by Ministry of Health Ordinance 2914/2011 for heterotrophic bacteria. It is concluded that this water is considered inadequate for human consumption, based on the potability standards established by the aforementioned ordinance

Avaliação dos efeitos biológicos da exposição a toxicantes em trabalhadores de uma metalúrgica de Caxias do Sul, RS / Assessment of the biological effects of exposure to toxicants among workers at a metallurgical company in Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

Introdução: Metalúrgicos compõem uma população de risco pela sua exposição ocupacional a toxicantes, como metais pesados, gases, hidrocarbonetos aromáticos e silicato. Objetivo: Avaliar a existência de efeitos biológicos em trabalhadores expostos a toxicantes de vários setores de uma metalúrgica de Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 31 trabalhadores de 10 setores em que foi aplicado um questionário sobre hábitos ocupacionais e de vida. Exames hematológicos e toxicológicos foram comparados com os resultados do questionário. Resultados: 19,4% (n=6) dos trabalhadores não usaram todos os equipamentos de proteção individual (EPIs). Foi possível observar diminuição dos parâmetros do eritrograma e alterações na série branca, como leucocitose, neutrofilia e eosinofilia, e no chumbo sérico. Evidenciaram-se valores diminuídos na série vermelha e leucocitose dos trabalhadores que não faziam uso adequado dos EPIs. Quando avaliado o setor de trabalho, pôde-se evidenciar as seguintes associações significativas: fumantes e neutrofilia (p=0,000); setor da moldagem e leucocitose (p=0,023) e eosinofilia (p=0,007); mais de 10 anos de trabalho e leucocitose (p=0,008). Conclusões: Os dados sugerem que o tempo de trabalho, o tipo de exposição e o uso de EPIs podem alterar exames laboratoriais

Background: Metallurgical workers are a high-risk population as a function of their occupational exposure to toxicants, such as heavy metals, aromatic hydrocarbons and silicate. Objective: To investigate the occurrence of biological effects among workers exposed to toxicants in various areas of a metallurgical company in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 31 workers from 10 areas who responded a questionnaire on occupational and lifestyle habits. Blood and toxicology tests were compared to the questionnaire results. Results: About 19.4% (n=6) of the sample did not use all the required personal protective equipment (PPE). Reduction of red blood cell parameters and leukocyte abnormalities were found, including leukocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia, as well as in the blood lead levels. The following significant associations were found on analysis per work area: smoking and neutrophilia (p=0.000); work in the mold section and leukocytosis (p=0.023) and eosinophilia (p=0.007); and more than 10 years of work and leukocytosis (p=0.008). Conclusions: The data suggest that length of work, type of exposure and use of PPE might cause changes in the results of laboratory tests

Prevalence of parasites with zoonotic potential in soil from the main public parks and squares in Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

Soil contamination in parks and public squares caused by animal feces has been one of the main forms of parasitic contamination, becoming therefore a public health problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of parasites in the soil in major parks and public squares in Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Two samplings were performed at each location, the first in summer (February) and the second in winter (July) in 2015. Soil samples were collected in five spots in ten parks/public squares, per season and examined using the Hoffman, Pons & Janer (HPJ), Faust and Rugai, Mattos and Brisola methods. Among the 100 samples analyzed by HPJ and Rugai, Mattos and Brisola, 64% and 58% respectively, proved positive in summer and 28% and 60% in winter. The Faust method showed the same number of positive samples in both seasons (12% each). The following parasites were found: Cystosospora sp oocysts (4%), Entamoeba coli cysts (1%), Strongyloides stercoralis suggestive larvae (0.3%), Endolimax nana cysts (1%) and Ancylostoma sp suggestive larvae (33.3%) with the highest prevalence. Both parks and squares presented parasites with zoonotic potential. Thus, it is necessary to highlight the importance of educational measures regarding the use of these locations as well as the cleaning of public areas with the removal of animal excrements.