ABSTRACT
The sugarcane weevil (Sphenophorus levis Vaurie, 1978) is currently considered the most important sugarcane pest in Brazil, causing significant yield losses. Application methods of insecticides for S. levis control have not been effective, mostly due to the insect's cryptic behavior below the soil surface which suppresses the correct placement of insecticide active ingredients on target. Two experiments were conducted using an innovative bioassay methodology that simulates sugarcane field conditions to effectively evaluate S. levis adult mortality and insecticide residues in the soil under different treatments. The first experiment aimed to assess the efficacy of two liquid- and solid-applied insecticides, while the second aimed to examine the effect of increasing the dose of lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam on S. levis adult control. The novel bioassays simulated liquid and solid insecticide applications on sugarcane by exposing S. levis adults to chemical residuals on rhizomes and in soil after insecticide application. In the first experiment, low S. levis adult control was detected (< 53% mortality) across all treatments, where both solid and liquid applications of lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam provided greater efficacy levels than imidacloprid and control treatments, respectively. Solid applications maintained higher insecticide concentrations in the soil for longer periods than liquid insecticide applications, providing maximum insect control levels 7 days after application. The second experiment revealed that solid applications at higher insecticide doses significantly improved control of S. levis adult (76.7% mortality) and resulted in greater insecticide concentrations in the soil compared to the recommended label rate (58.8% mortality).
ABSTRACT
INTRODUÇÃO: O aumento de tecnologia e equipamentos automatizados em laboratórios de análises clínicas permitiu ampliar significativamente a capacidade de análises e processamento de informações. Entretanto, aumentou também na mesma proporção a utilização de reagentes químicos nas análises, gerando resíduos que, se descartados de forma incorreta, causam sérios danos ao meio ambiente. OBJETIVO: avaliar a informação e a conscientização dos profissionais de laboratórios de análises clínicas em relação a possíveis danos ambientais causados pelos resíduos químicos produzidos, forma de descarte adotada e interesse em receber informações relacionadas. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas entrevistas, estruturadas em questionário, para obter a quantidade de análises hematológicas realizadas na cidade de Curitiba/PR, o modo de descarte dos resíduos gerados pelos equipamentos automatizados e, também, para inferir sobre o conhecimento dos profissionais quanto à formulação das soluções, à forma recomendada de descarte e ao potencial para causar danos ao meio ambiente. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: A maioria (80 por cento) dos profissionais de laboratórios de análises clínicas acredita ser responsável pelo resíduo produzido, no entanto não possui conhecimento sobre a questão. Esse desconhecimento propicia práticas inadequadas em 47 por cento dos laboratórios pesquisados, que descartam o resíduo diretamente na rede coletora de esgotos. Para evitar a contaminação biológica, 20 por cento dos laboratórios tratam os resíduos com hipoclorito antes de descartá-los na rede coletora de esgoto, e apenas 12 por cento deles possuem tratamento para efluentes, porém esse tipo de procedimento realizado é desconhecido.
INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of technology and automated equipment in clinical laboratories has allowed to expand analysis capacity and information processing significantly. However, it has also augmented the use of chemical reagents in analyses, generating waste that, if improperly disposed, may cause serious environmental damage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of clinical laboratory professionals as to the potential environmental damage caused by chemical waste, adopted forms of disposal, and interest in receiving related information. METHODS: Interviews were conducted in a structured questionnaire in order to assess the total number of blood tests performed in the city of Curitiba and the forms of waste disposal generated by automated equipment. They were also developed to infer professionals' knowledge regarding solution development, recommended ways of disposal, and potential environmental hazard. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The vast majority (80 percent) of professionals in clinical laboratories believes to be responsible for the produced waste, but has no knowledge on the issue. This unawareness generates inadequate practices in 47 percent of surveyed laboratories, which discard waste directly into the sewer system. In order to avoid biological contamination, 20 percent of the laboratories treat their waste with sodium hypochlorite before disposal into the sewer system, and only 12 percent have sewage treatment, though its type is unknown.