Reports of occupational dermatosis in the state of Espírito Santo from 2007 to 2016.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational dermatoses account for a large fraction of work-related illnesses, and have significant economic and social repercussions. Though these conditions are subject to mandatory reporting, they are often underdiagnosed, and have only been scarcely studied in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To describe the profile of workers affected by occupational dermatosis based on reports sent to the Information System on Notifiable Diseases [Sistema de Informação de Agravos e de Notificação (SINAN)], and provide evidence to support disease prevention initiatives. METHODS: The following data were collected from incident reports sent in the state of Espírito Santo, from 2007 to 2016: city, year, age of worker, education level, gender, causal agent, race, occupation, lesion site, and need for medical leave. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, using frequency and percentage statistics. RESULTS: A total of 340 incidents were reported in the state of Espírito Santo, which most cases (79%) occurring in the city of Atílio Vivácqua. The highest number of cases involved female workers aged 20 to 29 years, with complete primary and incomplete secondary education, in unskilled occupations such as domestic work, and were associated with exposure to chemical agents such as chlorine, detergents, and latex. The lesion site was reported in fewer than 2% of cases. At least 25% of affected workers required medical leave. CONCLUSIONS: The individuals most frequently affected by occupational dermatosis were women, aged 20 to 29 years, with complete primary education, in unskilled occupations. There is a need for greater investment in the education of unskilled workers, especially those who perform cleaning services.

A conceptual scenario for the use of microalgae biomass for microgeneration in wastewater treatment plants.

Microalgae are a potential source of biomass for the production of energy, which is why the amount of research on this topic has increased in recent years. This work describes the state of the art of microalgae production from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), its potential to generate electricity and the scale in which it is possible. The methodology used was a systematic review of the gasification of microalgae from 49 articles selected. Based on the review, a conceptual scenario for microgeneration in WWTP using as feedstock microalgae for thermal gasification was developed. The most consistent assumptions for a real scale microgeneration are microalgae production in open ponds using domestic sewage as a nutritional medium; the use of the flocculation process in process of harvesting; microalgae to energy through thermal gasification process using a downdraft gasifier. Considering a WWTP with a 3000 m3/d flux capacity, 860 kg/d of dry microalgae biomass might be produced. For which, gasification has a production potential of 0.167 kWh/m3 of treated sewage, but the energy balance is compromised by the drying process. However, when the biogas produced in anaerobic treatment enter in the model, it is possible to add a surplus of electricity of 0.14 kWh/m3 of treated sewage. Finally, a cost estimate is made for the acquisition of drying and gasification-electricity generation systems. For this scenario, the results suggest that the investments may be financially returned after five years, with additional potential for further optimization.