Efecto de las aguas jabonosas sobre el comportamiento de hemípteros semiacuáticos (Gerromorpha) de dos ecosistemas acuáticos neotropicales / Effect of soapy water on the behavior of semiaquatic hemipterans (Gerromorpha) from two neotropical aquatic ecosystems

Resumen Introducción: Los hemípteros semiacuáticos son insectos que podrían ser de los mejores indicadores de la calidad del ambiente acuático, específicamente en cuanto al contenido de sustancias que rompen la tensión superficial. Sin embargo, no existen estudios que evalúen cómo estos insectos se ven afectados por cambios en la tensión superficial del agua. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto que tienen las aguas jabonosas sobre la capacidad de locomoción de tres especies de hemípteros semiacuáticos neotropicales. Métodos: Desde agosto hasta noviembre 2020, realizamos experimentos ex situ, con nueve grupos de diez individuos de la familia Veliidae (N = 90) y Gerridae (N = 90), en donde cada grupo individualmente, fue sometido a la entrada de aguas jabonosas durante tres minutos. Para esto, diseñamos un acuario que consistía en tres cajas de plástico a diferentes alturas, conectadas entre sí, de modo que se generaba un flujo de corriente. Utilizamos jabón en polvo para ropa, jabón líquido para manos, y jabón en barra para platos. De cada tipo de jabón preparamos una concentración baja (9 ppm), media (50 ppm) y alta (200 ppm). Mediante grabaciones, registramos el tiempo que duraron los hemípteros en el agua, así como su capacidad para salir de la misma, y si se hundían o no. Resultados: Encontramos que, sin importar el tipo de jabón, el tiempo que permanecen los hemípteros en el agua contaminada, se reduce drásticamente conforme aumenta la concentración, pero dicho impacto varía según la especie, siendo Rhagovelia solida (familia Veliidae) menos afectada por la contaminación en comparación con Platygerris caeruleus y Potamobates unidentatus (familia Gerridae). Conclusión: El uso de estos táxones como indicadores del grado de contaminación de los ríos por detergentes y jabones, puede ser muy útil, sobre todo si se toma en cuenta las diferencias de sensibilidad según la familia o género del grupo.

Abstract Introduction: Semiaquatic hemipterans are insects that may be among the best indicators of the quality of the aquatic environment, specifically in terms of the content of substances that break surface tension. However, no studies are evaluating how these insects are affected by changes in the surface tension of the water. Objective: To determine the effect of soapy water on the locomotion ability of three species of neotropical semiaquatic hemipterans. Methods: From August to November 2020, we conducted ex situ experiments, with nine groups of ten individuals of the family Veliidae (N = 90) and Gerridae (N = 90), where each group individually, was subjected to the entry of soapy water for three minutes. For this, we designed an aquarium consisting of three plastic boxes at different heights, connected to each other, so that a current flow was generated. We used powdered laundry soap, liquid hand soap, and bar soap for dishes. For each type of soap we prepared a low (9 ppm), medium (50 ppm) and high (200 ppm) concentration. By means of recordings, we recorded the time the hemipterans spent in the water, as well as their ability to get out of the water, and whether or not they sank. Results: We found that, regardless of the type of soap, the time spent by hemipterans in contaminated water decreases drastically as the concentration increases, but the impact varies by species, with Rhagovelia solida (family Veliidae) being less affected by pollution compared to Platygerris caeruleus and Potamobates unidentatus (family Gerridae). Conclusions: The use of these taxa as indicators of the degree of contamination of rivers by detergents and soaps can be very useful, especially if we take into account the differences in sensitivity according to the family or gender of the group.

Consideraciones sobre el uso de productos químicos empleados para la aspersión y nebulización en espacios cerrados, 2 de junio del 2020 / Considerations for the Use of Hotels during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Interim technical working document, version 5 (2 April 2020)

Esta ficha técnica presenta las consideraciones sobre el uso de productos químicos empleados para la aspersión y nebulización en espacios cerrados a fin de descontaminar y disminuir la transmisión del SARS-CoV-2. Esta ficha será de gran utilidad como herramienta para la lucha contra la COVID-19, y está dirigida a instituciones del sector público y privado que proveen servicios de salud.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented saturation and collapse of health services around the world, requiring the implementation of strategies, not always well organized, to meet the needs resulting from a progressive increase in the demand for medical care. The health service response starts in the community, with public education, public health and prevention measures through primary care, and coordination and linkage with hospitals. Expanding response capacity involves strengthening primary care and providing sufficient resources at the hospital level through measures to repurpose beds, reassign health workers, early discharge of patients, among other measures. To the extent that these health services network capacities need to be strengthened or have been overwhelmed, it is necessary to consider other strategies at the community level. One of these strategies could be fitting out hotels to be extensions of health facilities.

Recomendaciones sobre seguridad química para elementos de limpieza y desinfección, 11 de mayo del 2020 / Recommendations on Chemical Safety for Cleaning and Disinfection Supplies, 11 May 2020 / Recomendações de segurança química para produtos de limpeza e desinfecção, 11 de maio de 2020

En esta ficha se abordan las principales recomendaciones de seguridad frente a la manipulación de agentes desinfectantes, que al ser productos químicos tienen un riesgo y deben manejarse con la debida precaución. Adicionalmente, facilita un resumen con los elementos de aseo que no debemos mezclar y los riesgos que generan.

This technical note addresses the main safety recommendations against the handling of disinfecting agents, which, being chemical products, must be handled with due caution. Additionally, it presents a summary of cleaning elements that should not be mixed and the risks that they generate. Most cleaning products are made from chemicals. • The mix of different chemicals can place people at risk. • Cleaning means removing the dirt. Disinfection means killing microorganisms. Soaps are made to remove dirt, but they can also kill microorganisms, as they break down and destroy the external membranes of the virus. Disinfectants are made to kill microorganisms. • Soaps and bleach are made for different purposes and should not be combined. They should be used separately. • The solutions made by mixing bleach with water need careful measurement. • Bleach is dangerous if used without dilution...

En este informe se presenta un panorama general del impacto que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha tenido en los servicios contra las enfermedades no transmisibles en la Región de las Américas, con datos obtenidos a lo largo de cuatro semanas en mayo del 2020, en un momento en el que se consideraba que la Región era el epicentro de la pandemia mundial de COVID-19.

Hospitais de campanha / Field hospitals

Apresenta conceito de Hospitais de campanha, como é empregado ao longo da história e as necessidades no contexto da pandemia do COVID-19. A exemplo de outros países como China, Espanha, Estados Unidos, surgiram no Brasil, a montagem de hospitais de campanha, inicialmente nos estádios do Pacaembu e Anhembi, em São Paulo, e cita o dimensionamento de recursos para Hospital de Campanha, presente no plano de contigência do Estado de Minas Gerais

It presents the concept of Field Hospitals, as it has been used throughout history and the needs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other countries such as China, Spain, the United States, the setting up of field hospitals appeared in Brazil, initially at the Pacaembu and Anhembi stadiums in São Paulo, and mentions the dimensioning of resources for the Campaign Hospital, present in the plan of contingency in the State of Minas Gerais

La Limpieza del hogar

Guía práctica para ser usada en hogares, centro de atención medica, asilos, hospedajes de todo tipo. Contiene las bases para llevar a cabo la correcta limpieza de cada uno de los lugares, en los cuales se necesita asear de manera correcta

Labelling of household products and prevention of unintentional poisoning

Intoxicações não-intencionais ocorrem principalmente na infância devido à ingestão de produtos de uso doméstico. Um fator determinante é a falta de conhecimento sobre a toxicidade destes produtos. Um estudo aleatório de 158 rótulos de produtos de limpeza foi realizado no Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde - Brasil. Advertência sobre os riscos à saúde, orientações para os primeiros-socorros em caso de envenenamento e instruções de armazenamento foram avaliadas para verificar a qualidade das informações fornecidas ao consumidor sobre os riscos inerentes ao uso destes produtos. Do total de produtos avaliados, 75 por cento foram considerados inadequados porque não forneciam todas as informações necessárias para prevenir danos à saúde decorrentes do seu uso. Instruções para os primeiros-socorros no caso de inalação foram omitidas em mais de 50 por cento dos rótulos estudados e 47 por cento não recomendavam levar o rótulo para o médico em caso de acidente. Além disto, os rótulos não forneciam outras importantes advertências como ler antes de usar e manter no frasco original. Os resultados indicam que a rotulagem dos produtos de limpeza de uso domiciliar não fornece todas as informações para garantir a segurança da população.

Unintentional poisoning occurs mainly in childhood due to ingestion of common household products. A decisive factor is the lack of knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of these products. A random study of 158 labels of cleaning products was conducted at the National Institute of Quality Control in Health - Brazil. Health hazard warnings, first aid in case of poisoning and storage instructions were evaluated to assess the quality of information provided to the consumer regarding the risks inherent in these products. Among these labels, 75 percent were considered inadequate since they did not provide all cautionary information necessary to avoid the health hazards associated with these products. First aid instructions in the case of inhalation were missing on more than 50 percent of labels studied and 47 percent did not recommend taking the label to a health professional in case of accident. Furthermore, the labels did not provide other important warnings such as read before use and keep in original container. The results indicate that the labelling of cleaning products does not provide all safety information recommended for consumers.