Uma proposta de critérios ambientais, sociais e de governança (ESG) para o setor de saneamento / A proposal of ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria for water supply and sanitation sector

O combate às mudanças climáticas requer ações coletivas e através de uma nova governança que integre a sustentabilidade e gere valor compartilhado no longo prazo. Considerando o cenário do saneamento e o potencial de atração de investimentos existe uma relação simbiótica entre saneamento e desenvolvimento econômico. O ESG pode ser utilizado como ferramenta de gestão de riscos e como diretriz de comunicação às partes interessadas por organizações. Por meio de pesquisa exploratória de caráter aplicado, esse estudo desenvolveu critérios para avaliação do engajamento das companhias estaduais de saneamento com relação ao ESG. Os resultados indicam diferentes status de engajamento, diferentes metodologias e grandes oportunidades de melhoria no setor. A maioria das companhias estaduais não reporta seus dados não financeiros de forma sistemática e transparente. Os critérios apresentados podem ser utilizados por agências ambientais, fiscalizadoras e para tomada de decisão por diferentes instituições.

Climate change combating demands collective actions through a new governance which integrates sustainability and generates shared value in the long term. Considering sanitation scenario and the potential of investments attraction, there is an symbiotic relation between sanitation and economic development. The ESG criteria can be used as a tool for risk management and as a communication guidance for stakeholders. This study was developed through exploratory applied research and has proposed criteria to assess engagement of state sanitation companies regarding ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards. Results indicated different engagement status, different methodologies being applied and huge improvement opportunities in the sanitation sector. Most of the companies does not report non finance data in a systematic and transparent way. Criteria presented in this work may be used by environmental and enforcement agencies and for decision making at different institutions.

Community-based surveillance of Cryptosporidium in the indigenous community of Boliwong, Philippines: from April to December 2017 / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: For the first time, Boliwong, an indigenous community in the Philippines, was surveyed for the prevalence of Cryptosporidium from April to December 2017. METHODS: Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in samples from the river, creek, and water pumps via immunomagnetic separation techniques, and from human and animal concentrated faecal samples using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. RESULTS: Seven of the 24 water samples (29.2%) were positive for Cryptosporidium, with the highest concentration (0.8 oocyst/L) detected in the creek. Of 35 fecal samples from different animal groups, 8 (21.6%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The highest intensity of oocyst shedding was detected in dogs (χ2=8.00). Of the 137 human fecal samples, 39 (28.5%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. In this study, 3 risk factors were found to be associated with infection: (1) location (crude odds ratio [cOR], 16.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11 to 127.41; p=0.008), (2) drinking water from the natural spring (cOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.82; p<0.05), and (3) using an open pit as a sanitary toilet facility (cOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.20; p<0.05). When the cOR was adjusted, using an open pit as a sanitary toilet facility remained a significant risk factor of infection (adjusted OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.90; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a potentially emerging Cryptosporidium zoonosis in Boliwong, Lagawe, Philippines. It is recommended that the toilet facilities and the water system in the community be rehabilitated to avoid any possible disease outbreak. Health education is also needed in the community to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

Community-based surveillance of Cryptosporidium in the indigenous community of Boliwong, Philippines: from April to December 2017 / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: For the first time, Boliwong, an indigenous community in the Philippines, was surveyed for the prevalence of Cryptosporidium from April to December 2017.METHODS: Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in samples from the river, creek, and water pumps via immunomagnetic separation techniques, and from human and animal concentrated faecal samples using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique.RESULTS: Seven of the 24 water samples (29.2%) were positive for Cryptosporidium, with the highest concentration (0.8 oocyst/L) detected in the creek. Of 35 fecal samples from different animal groups, 8 (21.6%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The highest intensity of oocyst shedding was detected in dogs (χ2=8.00). Of the 137 human fecal samples, 39 (28.5%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. In this study, 3 risk factors were found to be associated with infection: (1) location (crude odds ratio [cOR], 16.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.11 to 127.41; p=0.008), (2) drinking water from the natural spring (cOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.82; p<0.05), and (3) using an open pit as a sanitary toilet facility (cOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.20; p<0.05). When the cOR was adjusted, using an open pit as a sanitary toilet facility remained a significant risk factor of infection (adjusted OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.90; p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: There is a potentially emerging Cryptosporidium zoonosis in Boliwong, Lagawe, Philippines. It is recommended that the toilet facilities and the water system in the community be rehabilitated to avoid any possible disease outbreak. Health education is also needed in the community to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

Assessment of freshwater springs, associated diseases and indigenous perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Objective: To assess the quality of freshwater aquifers [springs] associated diseases, and indigenous perception in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the department of environmental science, Karakoram International University Gilgit after approval from departmental research committee. In order to get the most accurate results, 18 water samples in triplicates were collected according to our lab own set of sampling standard operating procedures [SOPs] using pre-sterilized bottles of 100 ml from June 2016 to August 2016 along with associated diseases record and structured interviews from indigenous population. For physicochemical and microbial assessment, samples were tested before five hours after collection and associated diseases and indigenous perception was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques

Results: Findings revealed that levels of pH, EC, phosphates, TDS, and nitrite, fall within WHO standards except nitrate, temperature and turbidity. The highest concentration [mgL-1 +/- SE] of Hg in Barkolti and Barsat springs were [0.01 +/- 0.005] and [0.02 +/- 0.001] while Zn was [0.04 +/- 0.02] respectively. The concentration of Cu in Barkolti spring was [0.2 +/- 0.03] while in Barsat spring below the detection level. The concentration of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Fe in both springs fall within WHO permissible limits. The mean value of E. coli recorded in both Barkolti and Barsat aquifers were [1.08cfu +/- 0.45] and [2.11cfu +/- 0.56] respectively. The prevalence of water-associated diseases recorded in the order diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and their incidence increases at high peak in summer. Irrespective of physicochemical and microbial components, indigenous population believed that the spring water has curative properties

Conclusions: Physiochemical and microbial parameters of spring's water fall within WHO standards except nitrate, turbidity, temperature, and E. coli, and incidence of certain associated diseases. However, indigenous population is unaware about the fact and believed that spring water very safe

Padrão físico-químico e microbiológico da água de nascentes e poços rasos de propriedades rurais da região sudoeste do Paraná / Physico-chemical and microbiological standards of water springs and shallow wells on rural properties in the southwest region of Paraná

Este trabalho avalia a qualidade da água em propriedades rurais do município de Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, por meio de analises físico-químicas e microbiológicas. Foram analisadas 90 amostras, sendo 45 provenientes de nascentes e 45 de poços rasos, quanto aos parâmetros pH, temperatura, turbidez, coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Das 90 amostras analisadas, 23 atenderam à legislação vigente, enquanto que 67 estavam em desacordo, logo, inapropriadas para o consumo humano e animal, representando fator de risco à saúde.(AU)

This study evaluates the quality of water in rural farms of Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, Brazil, by physico-chemical and microbiological analyses. A total of 90 samples were analysed, 45 from water springs and 45 from shallow wells, regarding the following parameters: pH, temperature, turbidity, total and thermotolerant coliforms. Of the 90 samples analysed, 23 met the current legislation, while 67 disagreeded with it, being unsuitable for human and animal consumption and a health risk factor.(AU)

Health effects of natural spring waters: A protocol for systematic reviews with a regional case example / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Spring water therapies have been used since at least 1550 BC. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting these therapies for a range of conditions, including musculoskeletal, dermatological, respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, they do not currently form part of mainstream healthcare in many countries. The protocol established in this paper aims to support systematic reviews that examine the health outcomes associated with human exposure to regional spring waters, using the Australia and New Zealand context as a case study.</p><p><b>METHODS/DESIGN</b>The protocol searches for studies in eight health/medical databases, searches three local health/medical journals, and includes forwards and backwards searching. Standard systematic review methods are used including: specifying pre-determined inclusion criteria and data management plans, appraising the studies for bias, and allocation to a hierarchy of evidence.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION</b>The protocol supports a review and comprehensive synthesis of the current evidence regarding the health effects of natural spring water, and can be adapted for reviews in other regions. From this evidence, recommendations regarding practice and future research can be made on the therapeutic role of spring water.</p>

Giardia spp. e Cryptosporidium spp. em água de manancial superficial de abastecimento contaminada por dejetos humano e animal / Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in a fresh water supply source contaminated with human and animal excreta and waste water

Estudou-se ocorrência de cistos de Giardia spp. e oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. - (oo)cistos - na bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão São Bartolomeu, localizada no município de Viçosa, MG. O estudo incluiu as populações humana e animal existentes na área da bacia, bem como no efluente de uma estação de tratamento de esgoto (ETE) e de duas instalações para suínos. Os resultados indicam presença de (oo)cistos no manancial (médias geométricas: 3,92 e 3,62 (oo)cistos/l para Giardia spp. e Cryptosporidium spp., respectivamente). Propriedades com exploração bovina foram positivas ao longo de todo período (prevalência média de propriedades positivas 36,4 por cento para Giardia spp. e 18,0 por cento para Cryptosporidium spp.). O efluente da ETE apresentou elevada concentração de cistos de Giardia spp. (média geométrica na ordem de 10(4)/l), mas não foram encontrados oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. A ocorrência de (oo)cistos apresentou comportamento sazonal, sendo que os valores médios de (oo)cistos e de pluviosidade do trimestre de coleta revelaram bom ajuste de correlação (R²=98,3 por cento; P=0,0087 para Giardia spp. e R²=91,8 por cento; P=0,0421 para Cryptosporidium spp.). A significativa ocorrência de (oo)cistos no manancial sugere que a forma de ocupação do solo interfere na qualidade parasitológica da água bruta. Os resultados apontam para a importância de adoção de medidas preventivas, como proteção de áreas de mananciais, objetivando reduzir riscos de transmissão de protozoários via água de consumo humano.

The occurrence of Giardia spp. cysts and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts - (oo)cysts - was studied in a watershed (São Bartolomeu Stream-SB), at Viçosa city, MG. In the studied area, characterization of animal farms and identification of sewage and animal wastes discharges were undertaken. In addition, a sewage treatment plant (STP) and effluents of two swine farms were sampled. The results presented protozoan contamination (geometric averages: 3.92 and 3.62 (oo)cysts/l for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively). Positive cattle farms were detected during all the period, and the correspondent mean prevalences were: 36.4 percent for Giardia spp. and 18.0 percent for Cryptosporidium spp. STP effluent presented high concentration of Giardia spp. (geometric average of cysts in the order of 10(4)/l). However, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were not detected. The results showed that (oo)cysts concentration were influenced by climate factors. Precipitation and (oo)cysts concentration data were well correlated (R²=98.3 percent; P=0.0087 for Giardia spp. and R²=91.8 percent; P=0.0421 for Cryptosporidium spp.). Cysts and oocysts levels were remarkably high in the raw water source, pointing out the role of land use in an unprotected watershed as a source of protozoa. The results demonstrate the importance of preventive measures rather than relying on, sometimes unreliable, corrective measures such as water treatment, in order to minimize human health risks.

Sparganosis Mimicking Cutaneous Larva Migrans

A 53-year-old man had skin-colored linear serpiginous plaque within brownish patch on his left thigh for one year. He habitually drank natural spring water for 3 years. We diagnosed this case as sparganosis infiltrated within dermis by histologic and parasitologic diagnosis. The skin lesion mimicked the cutaneous larva migrans by showing dermal migration of sparganum to pro-duce itchy linear serpiginous plaque. We report an interesting case of sparganosis mimicking cutaneous larva migrans.

O grande manancial do Cone Sul / The Great Fountain of the Southern Cone

O Cone Sul abriga um manancial de águas subterrâneas de extensão continental, denominado Aqüífero Guarani, cujo volume de água doce disponível é suficiente para abastecer permanentemente os 15 milhões de habitantes de sua região de ocorrência. Neste trabalho é feita uma descrição sumária do reservatório. São estabelecidas bases para o aproveitamento dos recursos hídricos e propostos mecanismos e arranjos institucionais, em âmbito internacional, com vistas a iniciar um processo participativo de gestão do manancial.

The South Cone bears a groundwater source of continental extent called Guarani Aquifer, in which the volume of freshwater available is sufficient to supply the 15 million inhabitants of the region. The present paper gives a briefing on this reservoir, establishes the basis for the good use of the water resources, as well as proposes institutional means and arrangements at international level with a view to initiating a joint process to manage the source.