Ethylene Elimination Using Activated Carbons Obtained from Baru (Dipteryx alata vog.) Waste and Impregnated with Copper Oxide.

Ethylene is a plant hormone regulator that stimulates chlorophyll loss and promotes softening and aging, resulting in a deterioration and reduction in the post-harvest life of fruit. Commercial activated carbons have been used as ethylene scavengers during the storage and transportation of a great variety of agricultural commodities. In this work, the effect of the incorporation of copper oxide over activated carbons obtained from baru waste was assessed. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption at -196 °C, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the amount of ethylene removed using activated carbon obtained from baru waste and impregnated with copper oxide (1667 µg g-1) was significantly increased in comparison to the raw activated carbon (1111 µg g-1). In addition, carbon impregnated with copper oxide exhibited better adsorption performance at a low ethylene concentration. Activated carbons produced from baru waste are promising candidates to be used as adsorbents in the elimination of ethylene during the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities at a lower cost.

Predictor Variables in the Spread of Chagas Disease in Rural Areas.

Over a hundred years ago after the discovery of Chagas disease (CD) in Brazil, the World Health Organization estimates a number of 6 to 7 million people infected by Trypanosoma cruzi worldwide. Therefore, the goal of this work was to identify variables related to the spread of infection by T. cruzi in humans living in rural areas, seeking predictor variables. A systematic review of the literature has been conducted, with a search in the Scopus platform, using the search string "Chagas disease" and "rural", resulting in 85 valid and analyzed scientific studies (1977 and 2022). Twenty-seven predictor variables have been acquired, and 19 of them have been grouped, such as: socioeconomic and educational, housing, environmental, sanitary, and cultural; and 8 variables related to T. cruzi seropositive individuals. The predictor variables yielded significant results (p-value < 0.05) in 59.5% of the cases (195/328), with a median of 66.7%. In other words, studies relating to 50% of the 27 variables showed significance equal to or greater than 66.7% of the time. The independent variables with the highest proportion of significant data (p-value < 0.05) were Education (87.6%), Intradomicile building (70%), Domestic animals (69.6%), and Triatomines (69.2%) in the households. Some variables reached 100%; however, few articles were found, indicating the need for further research, especially for Sanitation and Culture. It has been concluded that, in the several contexts found, the social vulnerability and lack of information led the individual to living in environments where inhabitability is inadequate, to perform limited work activity and develop habits and behaviors which impair them in an environmental insalubrity situation, favorable to the access of vectors and pathogens of anthropozoonoses such as CD.

Production of activated carbon from exhausted coffee grounds chemically modified with natural eucalyptus ash lye and its use in the fluoride adsorption process.

The objective of this research was to produce an activated carbon (AC) from exhausted coffee grounds (ECG) and chemically activate it with natural lye from eucalyptus ash to subsequently evaluate the fluoride adsorption process in an aqueous medium. The thermal analysis of ECG was determined as well as solubilized extraction, alkalinity and calcium content of eucalyptus ashes. AC was characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), analysis of textural properties, pH and point of zero charge (PZC). The AC presented macroporosity and XRD confirmed the amorphous characteristic of cellulose-containing materials. Carboxylic acid functional group was identified in the AC surface, which can contribute to the adsorption of fluoride. The specific surface area of ECG and AC were 189.01 and 21.74 m2/g. The adsorption kinetics of fluoride revealed that equilibrium is reached around 800 min and the data followed the pseudo-second order model. The Freundlich model fitted the experimental data with the best quality and Freundlich's constant n allowed inferring that the adsorption is favorable and the isotherm appears to be L-type, with an initial downward curvature, which suggests less availability of active sites when increasing the adsorbent concentration.

Low Vaccine Coverage and Factors Associated with Incomplete Childhood Immunization in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and Rural Groups, Central Brazil.

Discrimination and limited access to healthcare services in remote areas can affect vaccination coverage. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate vaccination coverage for children living in quilombola communities and rural settlements in the central region of Brazil during their first year of life and to analyze the factors associated with incomplete vaccination. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on children born between 2015 and 2017. The percentage of children who received all vaccines recommended by the National Immunization Program in Brazil by 11 months and 29 days was used to calculate immunization coverage. Children who received the following vaccines were considered as having a complete basic vaccination schedule: one dose of BCG; three doses of Hepatitis B, of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DPT), of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and of Poliovirus (Polio); two doses of Rotavirus, of 10-valent pneumococcal (PCV10), and of Serogroup C meningococcal conjugate (MenC); and one dose of Yellow Fever (YF). Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and other doses recommended at or after 12 months were not included. Consolidated logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with incomplete vaccination coverage. Overall vaccination coverage was 52.8% (95% CI: 45.5-59.9%) and ranged from 70.4% for the Yellow Fever vaccine to 78.3% for the Rotavirus vaccine, with no significant differences between the quilombola and settler groups. Notably, the likelihood of incomplete general vaccination coverage was higher among children who did not receive a visit from a healthcare professional. Urgent strategies are required to achieve and ensure health equity for this unique and traditionally distinct group with low vaccination coverage.

Proposition and application of an environmental salubrity index in rural agglomerations.

OBJECTIVE: Propose an Índice de salubridade ambiental (ISARural - environmental salubrity index) that expresses the conditions experienced in rural agglomerations, including indicators and subindicators for its subsequent application in rural communities in the state of Goiás. METHODS: We developed the research in three phases: 1) previous analysis for the proposition of an ISARural, with the participation of seven specialists; 2) proposition of the ISARural by means of the Delphi method, starting with 168 specialists from 26 federative units of Brazil and Distrito Federal; and 3) application of the ISARural in 43 rural communities in the state of Goiás. RESULTS: The proposed ISARural resulted in the composition of eight indicators, four of which related to basic sanitation, and the others to health, socioeconomic conditions, public services offered, and housing conditions. The weight assigned to each indicator ranged from 22.82% for the water supply indicator to 6.35% for the service indicator, it is possible to apply the ISARural fully or to evaluate each indicator individually. The application of ISARural in communities of Goiás classified 86% of them with low salubrity, highlighting the worst conditions for quilombola communities. The sanitary sewage had the lowest score among the ISARural indicators, requiring greater attention from public authorities. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributed to the proposition of an index in line with the concept of environmental salubrity, useful in the scope of public policies as a conditioner for the prioritization of actions needed to improve the salubrity conditions identified. The proposed ISARural can be fully applied or used in the individual evaluation of each indicator of its composition. The results of its application made it possible to identify the communities with the worst environmental salubrity conditions and the indicators that require greater priority attention in the communities studied.

Assessment of surface water quality of the bois river (Goiás, Brazil) using an integrated physicochemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological approach.

The data on water pollution is scarce in developing countries, including Brazil. The water quality assessment is important implementing the monitoring and remediation programs to minimize the risk of hazardous substances in freshwaters. Thus, this study evaluated the surface water quality of a stretch of the Bois River (Brazil), based on the physicochemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological analyses conducted in 2017, using Standard Methods and fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test with zebrafish (Danio rerio). The results indicated that the quality of water samples located close to the discharge of tannery effluents was most impaired. Total phosphorus, BOD, DO, ammoniacal nitrogen, and thermotolerant coliforms parameters in P4 were not in accordance with the standards of current Brazilian legislation. Iron, lead, and copper levels were higher than environmental standards. The physicochemical quality of water samples was lower in the dry season than the rainy season. All samples (P1, P3, and P5) in rainy and dry seasons did not induce significant acute toxicity for zebrafish early-life stage; however other trophic levels (algae and microcrustacean) should be investigated to gain a better understanding of the toxicity during water quality analysis. In conclusion, the physicochemical and microbiological changes in the water of the Bois River can affect aquatic organisms as well as humans when it is used for drinking or in agriculture.

Avaliação do potencial de morbimortalidade por COVID-19 em comunidades quilombolas rurais de Goiás, Brasil / Assessment of the potential for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in rural quilombola communities in Goiás, Brazil

Objetivo: analisar o potencial de morbimortalidade por COVID-19 em comunidades quilombolas rurais. Métodos: estudo transversal, com 26 comunidades do Estado de Goiás. Utilizou-se o método Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) que hierarquiza critérios para estimar o índice de prioridade de morbimortalidade por COVID-19, sendo eles: sexo masculino, idade ≥ 60 anos, diabetes, câncer, hipertensão, tabagismo, dislipidemia e obesidade. Resultados: de 1.672 entrevistados, 52,0% eram homens, 19,0% ≥ 60 anos, 5,5% autor referiram diabetes, 19,6% hipertensão, 9,2% dislipidemia, 1,3% obesidade, 0,4% câncer e 13,9% tabagismo. Houve menor índice de prioridade na Comunidade Engenho 2, e maior em Buracão; sendo: idade ≥ 60 anos em Quilombo do Magalhães; sexo masculino em Kalunga dos Morros; diabetes e hipertensão em Tomás Cardoso; dislipidemia em Almeidas; obesidade em Buracão; câncer em Água Limpa; tabagismo em José de Coleto. Conclusão: houve diferentes potenciais de morbimortalidade por COVID-19, demonstrando qual comunidade apresenta maior/menor prioridade para ações estratégicas para enfrentamento da pandemia.

Objective: to analyze the potential for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in rural quilombola communities. Methods:cross-sectional study, with 26 communities in the State of Goiás. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used, which ranks criteria to estimate the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality priority index, namely: male gender, age ≥ 60 years, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and obesity. Results: among the 1,672 respondents, 52.0% were men, 19.0% ≥ 60 years, 5.5% self-reported diabetes, 19.6% hypertension, 9.2% dyslipidemia, 1.3% obesity, 0.4% cancer and 13.9% smoking. There was a lower priority index in the Engenho 2 community, and higher in the Buracão; where: age ≥ 60 years in the Quilombo do Magalhães; male gender in the Kalunga dos Morros; diabetes and hypertension in the Tomás Cardoso; dyslipidemia in the Almeidas; obesity in the Buracão; cancer in the Água Limpa; smoking in the José de Coleto. Conclusion: there were different potential for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, demonstrating which community has the highest/lowest priority for strategic actions to face the pandemic.

Treatment of cosmetic industry wastewater by flotation with Moringa oleifera Lam. and aluminum sulfate and toxicity assessment of the treated wastewater.

The production of personal hygiene and body products generates wastewater with a high load of surfactants, a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), and abundant oils and greases. Aluminum sulfate (AS) and two solutions of natural coagulant from Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds prepared with a 1M NaCl solution and 1.5M NaCl solution were used. Aluminum sulfate, Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1M NaCl, and Moringa oleifera Lam. in 1.5M NaCl solutions reduced turbidity at rates 94.48%, 98.07%, and 97.87%; reduced COD at rates 46.36%, 49.15%, and 42.7%; and reduced oil and grease at rates 98.72%, 78.65%, and 97.41%, respectively. Mutagenicity tests with guppies showed a lower toxicity of Moringa oleifera Lam. extract compared with aluminum sulfate. This work shows that Moringa oleifera Lam. extract has high potential for use as an alternative to aluminum sulfate; therefore, this study will contribute to proposals for the sustainable treatment of effluents from the cosmetic industry.

Escherichia coli, Species C Human Adenovirus, and Enterovirus in Water Samples Consumed in Rural Areas of Goiás, Brazil.

Rural environments lack basic sanitation services. Facilities for obtaining water and disposing sewage are often under the initiative of each resident, who may not be able to build and maintain them properly. Thus, water for human consumption is subject to fecal contamination and, consequently, the presence of waterborne pathogens, such as enteric viruses. This study evaluated fecal contamination of water samples from individual sources used for domestic water supply on small farms in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Samples were collected from 78 houses whose water sources were tubular wells, dug wells, springs, and surface waters. Escherichia coli (EC) bacteria, analyzed by the defined chromogenic substrate method, was used as a traditional indicator of fecal contamination. The enteric viruses Human mastadenovirus (HAdV) and Enterovirus (EV), analyzed by qPCR, were tested as complementary indicators of fecal contamination. At least one of these markers was found in 89.7% of the samples. Detection rates were 79.5% for EC, 52.6% for HAdV, and 5.1% for EV. The average concentration for EC was 8.82 × 101 most probable number (MPN) per 100 mL, while for HAdV and EV the concentrations were 7.51 × 105 and 1.89 × 106 genomic copies (GC) per liter, respectively. EC was the most frequent marker in ground and surface water samples. HAdV was detected significantly more frequently in groundwater than in surface water and was more efficient in indicating contamination in tubular wells. There was no association of frequencies or correlation of concentrations between EC and HAdV. HAdV indicated human fecal contamination and performed well as a complementary indicator. The results reveal that a large part of the analyzed population is vulnerable to waterborne diseases caused by enteric pathogens.

Proposition and application of an environmental salubrity index in rural agglomerations / Proposição e aplicação de um índice de salubridade ambiental em aglomerados rurais

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Propose an Índice de salubridade ambiental (ISARural - environmental salubrity index) that expresses the conditions experienced in rural agglomerations, including indicators and subindicators for its subsequent application in rural communities in the state of Goiás. METHODS We developed the research in three phases: 1) previous analysis for the proposition of an ISARural, with the participation of seven specialists; 2) proposition of the ISARural by means of the Delphi method, starting with 168 specialists from 26 federative units of Brazil and Distrito Federal; and 3) application of the ISARural in 43 rural communities in the state of Goiás. RESULTS The proposed ISARural resulted in the composition of eight indicators, four of which related to basic sanitation, and the others to health, socioeconomic conditions, public services offered, and housing conditions. The weight assigned to each indicator ranged from 22.82% for the water supply indicator to 6.35% for the service indicator, it is possible to apply the ISARural fully or to evaluate each indicator individually. The application of ISARural in communities of Goiás classified 86% of them with low salubrity, highlighting the worst conditions for quilombola communities. The sanitary sewage had the lowest score among the ISARural indicators, requiring greater attention from public authorities. CONCLUSIONS This study contributed to the proposition of an index in line with the concept of environmental salubrity, useful in the scope of public policies as a conditioner for the prioritization of actions needed to improve the salubrity conditions identified. The proposed ISARural can be fully applied or used in the individual evaluation of each indicator of its composition. The results of its application made it possible to identify the communities with the worst environmental salubrity conditions and the indicators that require greater priority attention in the communities studied.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Propor um índice de salubridade ambiental que expresse as condições vividas em aglomerados rurais (ISARural), englobando indicadores e subindicadores para sua posterior aplicação em comunidades rurais do estado de Goiás. MÉTODOS A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três fases: 1) análise prévia para proposição de um ISARural, contando com a participação de sete especialistas; 2) proposição do ISARuralpor meio do método Delphi, iniciando com 168 especialistas das 26 unidades federativas do Brasil e do Distrito Federal; e 3) aplicação do ISARuralem 43 comunidades rurais do estado de Goiás. RESULTADOS O ISARuralproposto resultou na composição de oito indicadores, sendo quatro relacionados ao saneamento básico, e os demais à saúde, às condições socioeconômicas, aos serviços públicos ofertados e às condições de moradia. O peso atribuído para cada indicador variou de 22,82%, para indicador de abastecimento de água, a 6,35%, para o indicador de serviços, podendo o ISARuralser aplicado na sua totalidade ou para avaliação de cada indicador individualmente. A aplicação do ISARuralem comunidades de Goiás evidenciou que 86% se classificam com baixa salubridade, destacando as piores condições para as comunidades quilombolas. Dentre os indicadores do ISARural, o de esgotamento sanitário foi caracterizado com a menor pontuação, o que demanda uma maior atenção do poder público. CONCLUSÕES Esse estudo cumpriu o papel de contribuir com a proposição de um índice em consonância com o conceito de salubridade ambiental, podendo ser empregado no âmbito das políticas públicas como um condicionante para a priorização das ações necessárias à melhoria das condições de salubridade identificadas. O ISARuralproposto pode ser aplicado na sua totalidade ou ainda na avaliação individual de cada indicador de sua composição. Os resultados da sua aplicação possibilitaram identificar as comunidades com piores condições de salubridade ambiental e os indicadores que requerem maior atenção prioritária nas comunidades estudadas.

Reflexão acerca dos critérios que podem contribuir para a disseminação da COVID-19 em comunidades quilombolas rurais do estado de Goiás, Brasil / Reflection on criteria that may contribute to the dissemination of COVID-19 in rural quilombolas communities in the state of Goiás, Brazil

RESUMO O SARS-CoV-2 é facilmente disseminado por aerossóis e contato direto com pessoas contaminadas. Logo, as condições adversas em áreas rurais podem influenciar a propagação do vírus. Desta forma, estabeleceu-se uma reflexão acerca da disseminação da COVID-19 em função do hábito de lavar as mãos, das condições de saneamento, dos aspectos socioeconômicos e das condições habitacionais em 26 comunidades quilombolas rurais do estado de Goiás. Para isso foram levantadas informações in loco em 533 domicílios e aplicou-se a Analytic Hierarchy Process, utilizando-se critérios selecionados com base na literatura. As comunidades apresentaram uma priorização para a disseminação da COVID-19 variando de 14,9 x 10-3 (pior condição) a 64,3 x 10-3 (melhor condição), na qual a Comunidade José Coleto ocupou a posição mais desfavorável. Buracão mostrou um resultado mais satisfatório, sendo esta menos susceptível à disseminação da COVID-19. A melhoria nas condições de saneamento pode aumentar o hábito da higiene com as mãos, o que reduziria a disseminação da COVID-19 e de outras doenças infecciosas. Assim, a partir dos resultados obtidos, é perceptível a importância do empoderamento quanto aos hábitos de higiene, acesso à informação, saneamento básico e à saúde. Os gestores devem ter uma maior disposição para implantar infraestrutura e melhorar as condições dos critérios apresentados e discutidos neste trabalho.

ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 is easily spread by aerosols and direct contact with contaminated people. Therefore, adverse conditions in rural areas can influence the spread of the virus. Thus, a reflection was established about the dissemination of COVID-19 due to the habits of wash hands, sanitation conditions, socioeconomic aspects, and habitability conditions in 26 rural quilombola communities in the state of Goiás. For this, informations were collected in 533 locals households and it was applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process using criteria selected based on the literature. The communities presented a priority for the dissemination of COVID-19 ranging from 14.9 x 10-3 (worst condition) to 64.3 x 10-3 (best condition), and the Community José Coleto has occupied the most unfavorable position. Community Buracão showed a more satisfactory result, being less susceptible to the spread of COVID-19. Improving sanitation conditions can increase hand hygiene habits, which would reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Thus, from the results obtained, it is noticeable the importance of empowerment regarding hygiene habits, access to information, basic sanitation and health. The managers should give greater attention to implement infrastructures and improve the conditions of the criteria presented and discussed in this paper.

Risk to human health from protozoan (oo)cysts in water treatment plants / Risco à saúde humana por (oo)cistos de protozoários em estações de tratamento de água

ABSTRACT The presence of waterborne pathogens, when associated with the water supply system, poses risks to public health. This study investigated the occurrence of (oo)cysts of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in two Water Treatment Plants, with full-cycle technology, and assessed the microbiological risk to consumers' health. The membrane filtration technique was employed to identify the protozoan load in 24 samples of raw and filtered water. Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters were also analyzed. The Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment model was used to determine the risk of daily and annual infection associated with the ingestion of filtered water. A total of 66.67% of raw water samples were positive for Cryptosporidium; and 33.33%, for Giardia. The maximum concentrations of 200 (oo)cysts/L and 50 cysts/L were detected in the Cerrado stream (located in Sanclerlândia, state of Goiás, Brazil), due to the predominance of grazing areas and intense agricultural activity. Water Treatment Plants did not completely remove the protozoa and the retention efficiency was lower than that recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, with average values of 1.27 log for cysts and 1.04 log for oocysts. The probability of annual infection by cysts (100%) was higher than that of oocysts (86.61 - 98.32%) as for consumption of filtered water, and in the dry season, there was a higher risk of infection, due to the low performance of the Water Treatment Plants and higher concentration of pathogens. According to the results, the continuous intake of filtered water above the warning level can cause infectious diseases in the supplied population.

RESUMO A presença de patógenos de veiculação hídrica quando associados ao sistema de abastecimento de água causam risco à saúde pública. Esse estudo investigou a ocorrência de (oo)cistos de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. em duas Estações de Tratamento de Água com tecnologia do tipo ciclo completo e avaliou o risco microbiológico à saúde dos consumidores. Utilizou-se a técnica de filtração em membranas para identificar a carga dos protozoários nas 24 amostras de água bruta e filtrada. Os parâmetros físico-químicos e bacteriológicos também foram analisados. O modelo de Avaliação Quantitativa de Risco Microbiológico foi empregado para determinar o risco de infecção diária e anual associada à ingestão de água filtrada. Um total de 66.67% das amostras de água bruta foram positivas para Cryptosporidium; e 33.33% para Giardia. As concentrações máximas de 200 oocistos/L e 50 cistos/L foram detectadas no ribeirão Cerrado (localizado em Sanclerlândia, Estado de Goiás, Brasil), devido ao predomínio de área de pastagens e à intensa atividade agropecuária. As Estações de Tratamento de Água não removeram completamente os protozoários e a eficiência de retenção foi inferior ao recomendado pela Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos, com valores médios de 1,27 log para cistos e 1,04 log para oocistos. A probabilidade de infecção anual por cistos (100%) foi superior aos oocistos (86,61% a 98,32%) para o consumo da água filtrada, sendo que a estação seca, o risco de infecção foi maior, devido ao baixo desempenho das Estações de Tratamento de Água e à maior concentração de patógenos. Esses resultados indicam que a ingestão contínua de água filtrada acima do nível de alerta pode provocar doenças infecciosas na população abastecida.

Physicochemical, microbiological quality, and risk assessment of water consumed by a quilombola community in midwestern Brazil.

The quality of the water consumed by a given community is related to its quality of life. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate, from the perspective of health risk, the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of drinking water, in a quilombola community, and the qualitative aspects intrinsic to its use and storage. For this, water samples, collected at the exits of the collective water supply system and from eight cisterns that store rainwater, used for human consumption, were analyzed. The samples were subjected to physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis, including adenovirus (HAdV) and enterovirus (EV). The probability of an individual acquiring infection through water consumption was determined by quantitative microbiological risk analysis using HAdV and Escherichia coli (EC) as reference pathogens. The results showed that the water in the deep tubular well had 270.8 mg/L of total hardness, leading to the rejection of its consumption by ingestion. Alternativity, the people in the community consume rainwater stored in cisterns. For this type of water, the presence of heterotrophic bacteria was found in 75%, total coliform was present in 100%, and Enterococci were detected in 25%. Furthermore, EC was present in 25%, EV in 50%, and HAdV in 100% of the samples. The probability of annual infection with HAdV and EC was, in the worst situation, 100% and 1.3%, respectively. Regarding the qualitative and quantitative aspects, there was a significant positive correlation between the absence of EC and the withdrawal of water from the cistern using a pump and the opposite when the withdrawal was carried out using a bucket or hose. Based on the results found, it is important to carry out actions aimed at improving water quality and, consequently, the quality of life of people living in the study community.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts in surface water destined for public supply in the state of Goiás, Brazil / Detecção de oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp. e cistos de Giardia spp. em mananciais superficiais destinados ao abastecimento público do estado de Goiás, Brasil

ABSTRACT The protozoa Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. are etiological agents responsible for the transmission of gastroenteritis, mainly due to the consumption of contaminated water. Their (oo)cysts are resistant to adverse environmental conditions, as well as to most conventional water treatment processes. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of (oo)cysts of these protozoans in surface water collected for human consumption in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Fifteen samples of raw water were collected to assess the occurrence of (oo)cysts of the protozoa using the Membrane Filtration method, in addition to turbidity and pH analyses. Recovery rates in tests with ultrapure water reached the USEPA (2012) criteria for Giardia (78.1% ± 0%) and for Cryptosporidium (60.6% ± 32.6%); however, recovery in raw water was lower due to turbidity. All samples (n = 15) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, with a maximum concentration of 250 oocysts/L, demonstrating that these protozoa are disseminated in the aquatic environment of the state of Goiás and pose a risk to public health. Due to the use of water sources for public consumption, it is recommended that public authorities and sanitation companies act to preserve and maintain water courses, carry out periodic monitoring of treatment plants that supply the Cerrado, Santana and São Manoel streams and improve existing treatment technologies. The results did not allow to infer whether animal load and grazing area promote an increase in contamination of the lotic aquatic systems.

RESUMO Os protozoários Giardia spp. e Cryptosporidium spp. são agentes etiológicos responsáveis pela transmissão de gastroenterites, principalmente por causa do consumo de água contaminada. Seus (oo)cistos são resistentes às condições ambientais adversas, bem como à maioria dos processos convencionais de tratamento da água. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ocorrência de (oo)cistos desses protozoários em águas superficiais captadas para consumo humano no estado de Goiás, Brasil. Quinze amostras de água bruta foram coletadas para avaliar a ocorrência de (oo)cistos dos protozoários pelo método de Filtração por Membrana, além da análise de turbidez e pH. As taxas de recuperação nos testes com água ultrapura atingiram os critérios da USEPA (2012) para Giardia (78.1 ± 0%) e para Cryptosporidium (60.6 ± 32.6%), entretanto, em água bruta, a recuperação foi inferior devido à turbidez. Todas as amostras (n = 15) foram positivas para oocistos de Cryptosporidium spp., com valor máximo de 250 oocistos/L, demonstrando que esses protozoários se disseminam no meio aquático do estado de Goiás e geram risco à saúde pública. Devido à utilização de mananciais para consumo público, recomenda-se que as autoridades públicas e as empresas de saneamento atuem na preservação e manutenção dos cursos d'água, realizem o monitoramento periódico das plantas de tratamento que realizam adução no Córrego Cerrado, Córrego Santana e Córrego São Manoel e aprimorem as tecnologias de tratamento existente. Os resultados não permitiram inferir se a carga de animais e a área de pastagem promove o aumento da contaminação dos sistemas aquáticos lóticos.

Biological index based on epiphytic diatom assemblages is more restrictive than the physicochemical index in water assessment on an Amazon floodplain, Brazil.

Canadian Water Quality Index (CWQI) provides protection for freshwater life promoting healthy ecosystems and safeguarding human health. Biological Diatom Index (BDI) was developed to indicate the ecological status and water quality of freshwater systems. This paper evaluates the relations between the two different indices. During rising and falling, water samples were taken in the Curuai Floodplain, Brazil. CWQI was calculated using 14 physicochemical parameters and 1 microbiological parameter. The limits were established according to freshwater quality conditions and standards based on water use classes 1 and 2 determined in CONAMA 357 legislation and British Columbia. Canadian Water Quality Index categorization ranged from "marginal" to "excellent," most sampling units were "good" (71%), followed by "fair" (12%) and "excellent" (12%) water quality. Total phosphorus (38 times), chlorophyll a (20), dissolved oxygen (10), and total organic carbon (10) were the parameters that presented the most non-compliance values. Encyonema silesiacum (14%), Gomphonema parvulum (13%), and Navicula cryptotenella (12%) were the main taxa in the rising period, while G. lagenula, E. silesiacum, and Fragilaria capucina were the main taxa during the falling period. BDI ranges from I to V water quality classes. We observed "poor" to "very good" ecological status, with most sampling units "moderate" (52%) and "good" (29%). Water quality for class 2 was better than water quality for class 1, as the limits of the parameters evaluated were more restrictive in class 1 than in class 2 and the predominant uses of water require a higher degree of water purity. The biological index based on diatoms was the most restrictive index whose water classes and categorizations have shown an ecological status that could threaten the protection of aquatic communities on the Curuai floodplain. We suggest the combined use of both indices-physicochemical and biological for water quality assessment in this type of environment.

Activated carbon produced from waste coffee grounds for an effective removal of bisphenol-A in aqueous medium.

Bisphenol-A is widely used chemical in industry and unfortunately often detected in natural waters. Considered as an emerging pollutant, bisphenol-A represents an environmental problem due to its endocrine-disrupting behavior. The production of activated carbon from alternative precursors has shown to be attractive in the removal of emerging pollutants from the water. Activated carbon was produced from waste coffee by physical and chemical activation and applied in the removal of bisphenol-A. The samples were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and analysis of textural properties. Bisphenol-A adsorption experiments showed that the chemically activated carbon was more efficient due to its high specific surface area (1039 m2/g) compared to the physically activated carbon (4.0 m2/g). The bisphenol-A adsorption data followed the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm, which indicated a maximum adsorption capacity of 123.22 mg/g for chemically activated carbon. The results demonstrated a potential use of the coffee grounds as a sustainable raw material for the production of chemically activated carbon that could be used in water treatment.

Indicador de salubridade ambiental em 21 municípios do estado de Goiás com serviços públicos de saneamento básico operados pelas prefeituras / Health environmental indicator in 21 municipalities in the state of Goiás with basic public sanitation services operated by the prefectures

RESUMO Este trabalho avaliou as condições de salubridade ambiental de 21 municípios do estado de Goiás com serviços públicos de saneamento básico operados diretamente pelas prefeituras. Utilizou-se o Indicador de Salubridade Ambiental proposto pelo Conselho Estadual de Saneamento do Estado de São Paulo, adaptado conforme a disponibilidade dos dados existentes. As situações encontradas foram: 9,5% dos municípios salubres, 28,6% com média salubridade e 61,9% com baixa salubridade, sendo que os indicadores que mais influenciaram os resultados foram os de esgotamento sanitário e resíduos sólidos. O estudo mostrou a importância das pesquisas sobre a situação de salubridade e permitiu verificar quais serviços merecem receber intervenções imediatas e, portanto, necessitam de investimento tanto econômico quanto técnico nos sistemas municipais estudados.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the environmental health conditions of 21 municipalities in the state of Goiás with basic public sanitation services operated directly by the Prefectures. The Environmental Health Indicator (ISA) proposed by CONESAN was adapted according to the availability of the existing data. The situations found were: 9.5% of healthy municipalities, 28.6% with average health and 61.9% with low health, and the indicators that most influenced the results were those of sanitary sewage and solid waste. The study showed the importance of researching on the health situation and allowed to verify which services deserve to receive immediate interventions and, therefore, both economic and technical investment in the municipal systems studied.

Evaluation of the raw water quality: physicochemical and toxicological approaches.

Environmental degradation has increased, mainly as a result of anthropogenic effects arising from population, industrial and agricultural growth. Water pollution is a problem that affects health, safety and welfare of the whole biota which shares the same environment. In Goiânia and metropolitan region, the main water body is the Meia Ponte River that is used for the abstraction of water, disposal of treated wastewater and effluents. In addition, this river receives wastewater from urban and rural areas. The aim in this present study was to evaluate the quality of raw water by some physical, chemical and toxicological tests. The physicochemical results found high levels of turbidity, conductivity, aluminum, phosphorus and metal iron, manganese, copper and lithium when compared to the standards of the Brazilian legislation. The values found of toxicity demonstrated a high degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Therefore, it was concluded that the Meia Ponte River has been undergoing constant environmental degradation, causing the poor quality of its waters. Thus, measures for the prevention and recovery should be adopted for the maintenance of the Meia Ponte River.

External control of fluoridation in public water supply systems in the state of Goiás, Brazil. / Heterocontrole da fluoretação da água de abastecimento público em cidades do estado de Goiás, Brasil.

The addition of fluoride to the public water supply is a method used for reducing tooth decay. In this sense, the control of fluoridation is important for maintaining its efficiency and, at the same time, for avoiding the risk of fluorosis as a result of the consumption of water with excess of fluoride. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of fluoride levels in the water distributed to populations of the state of Goiás, Brazil. Towards this aim, 5,039 water samples collected between 2011 and 2013 in 225 municipalities of the state of Goiás were analyzed for fluoride level. The results were assessed with regard to season, type of water source and geographic location. Fluoride levels were found to vary between complete absence and 2.5 mg F/L, with 28.2% of the samples being between 0.6 and 0.8 mg F/L, and 39.1% between 0.55 and 0.84 mg F/L. The rainy season produced a greater number of atypical results and higher values than the dry period. The systems supplied by groundwater sources were shown to have a limited control of fluoride concentration compared to systems supplied by surface water sources. Lower concentrations of fluoride were found in samples collected in the North and East Mesoregions of Goiás, with less than 7.5% being between 0.6 and 0.8 mg F/L, which systems are mainly supplied by groundwater sources with fluoride addition .

A adição do flúor na água é um método empregado na redução de cárie dentária. O controle da fluoretação é importante para manter a sua eficiência e, ao mesmo tempo, evitar o risco de ocorrência de fluorose, fruto do consumo de água com flúor em excesso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação dos níveis do fluoreto na água distribuída à população do estado de Goiás, Brasil. Foram analisadas 5.039 amostras de água coletadas em 225 municípios de Goiás, entre 2011 e 2013. Os resultados foram analisados por sazonalidade, tipo de manancial e localização geográfica. Ocorreu uma variação entre ausência e 2,5 mg F/L, com 28,2% das amostras entre 0,6 e 0,8 mg F/L e 39,1% entre 0,55 e 0,84 mg F/L. No período de chuva ocorreu um maior número de resultados atípicos e maiores valores quando comparados ao período da seca. Verificou-se que os sistemas abastecidos por água proveniente de mananciais subterrâneos possuem um menor controle de fluoreto quando comparados a sistemas provenientes de mananciais superficiais. Observou-se menores concentrações nas amostras coletadas no Norte e Leste goianos, com menos de 7,5% entre 0,6 e 0,8 mg F/L, para aquelas coletadas de sistemas de abastecimento que utilizam água de manancial subterrâneo com adição de fluoreto, existindo dificuldades na manutenção dos seus teores.

Risco de contaminação pela presença de disposição final de resíduos sólidos em bacias de captação superficial de água / Contamination risk due to the presence of an urban solid waste disposal site within the surface water catchment basins

RESUMO Modelos de vulnerabilidade são importantes ferramentas no estudo da contaminação da qualidade das águas. Esta pesquisa avaliou o risco de contaminação pela presença de disposição final de resíduos sólidos urbanos (DRS) em bacias de captação superficial de água (BCSs) no Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Foi realizada a identificação e caracterização das BCSs e das DRSs em um sistema de informações geográficas utilizando o software QGis 2.12.0 Lyon. A sobreposição das informações permitiu a identificação das BCSs com DRSs em suas delimitações, aplicando a elas o índice de susceptibilidade (IS), composto por características intrínsecas e extrínsecas das BCSs. Pelo cálculo da vulnerabilidade média foram selecionadas as BCSs com maior risco de contaminação, bem como as DRSs presentes, as quais foram analisadas por seis parâmetros técnicos. Dessa forma, foram identificadas 204 BCSs e 228 DRSs, sendo 93% classificadas como lixões. O IS foi calculado para as 43 BCSs com presença de 69 DRSs em suas áreas, selecionando as nove mais vulneráveis com a existência de 18 DRSs. A interdependência dos parâmetros avaliados possibilitou o cálculo do risco nessas DRSs. Conclui-se que a avaliação da vulnerabilidade se mostrou eficaz e de grande relevância para a identificação das BCSs mais susceptíveis à contaminação de suas águas, podendo ser aplicada a outras áreas de estudo. Em Goiás, a análise permitiu o cálculo do risco existente em 18 DRSs, sendo 4 delas classificadas como de risco alto, devendo ser consideradas prioritárias para adequação ou remediação de suas áreas.

ABSTRACT Vulnerability models are important in the study of water contamination by different soil usage activities. This research's goal is to evaluate the contamination risk by the presence of an urban solid waste disposal site (UWDS) within the surface water catchment basins (SWCB) used in the public water supply of Goiás, Brazil. Identification and characterization of SWCBs and UWDSs have been done in a geographical identification system using the QGis2.12.0 Lyon software. The information overlapping allowed the identification of SWCBs that had an UWDS within its limits, applying to them the Susceptibility Index (SI), composed by intrinsic and extrinsic SWCB characteristics. Calculating the average vulnerability, SWCBs, which presented the highest risk of water contamination, were selected and had their UWDSs analyzed by six technical parameters. This way, 204 SWCBs and 228 UWDSs were identified, out of which 93% were classified as irregular dumping sites. The SI was calculated for each SWCB that had the presence of UWDSs within their areas (43 SWCBs with 69 UWDSs), pointing the 9 most vulnerable ones, which had 18 UWDSs within its limits. The interdependence of the evaluated parameters allowed to calculate the risk in these UWDSs. In conclusion, the vulnerability evaluation has been proven effective and of great relevance in the identification of the SWCBs most susceptible to water contamination, and it can be applied to other studies. In Goiás, the analysis allowed the existing risk calculation for each of the 18 UWDSs, out of which 4 were found high-risk being in need of priority adequation and remediation.