RESUMEN
Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman's rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ - 0.41 to - 0.67) and PLI (ρ - 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente , Oro , Minería , Contaminantes del Suelo , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Colombia , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Metales Pesados/análisis , Cadmio/análisisRESUMEN
Pesticides pose significant risks to both human health, such as cancer, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption, and ecosystems, through the destruction of beneficial insects, contamination of soil and water, and impact on non-target species. In the face of escalating pesticide pollution, there is an urgent need for multifaceted approaches to address the issue. Bioremediation emerges as a potent tool in the environmental pollution mitigation arsenal. Ideally aiming for the complete decomposition of pesticides into harmless molecules, bioremediation encompasses diverse approaches - from bioabsorption, bioadsorption, and biotransformation using enzymes and nanoenzymes to comprehensive degradation facilitated by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, macro- and microalgae, or phytoremediation. Exploring nature's biodiversity offers a promising avenue to find solutions to this pressing human-induced problem. The acceleration of biodegradation necessitates identifying and developing efficient organisms, achieved through bioprospection and targeted modifications. Specific strategies to enhance process efficiency and throughput include optimizing biomass production, strategic inoculation in diverse environments, and employing bioreactor systems for processing heavily contaminated waters or soils. This comprehensive review presents various bioremediation approaches, emphasizing the importance of microorganisms' exploration and new technologies development, including current innovations and patents to effectively combat pesticide pollution. Furthermore, challenges regarding the effective implementation of these technologies are also addressed.
Asunto(s)
Biodegradación Ambiental , Plaguicidas , Plaguicidas/metabolismo , Bacterias/metabolismo , Contaminación Ambiental/prevención & control , Humanos , Contaminantes Ambientales/metabolismo , Hongos/metabolismo , Contaminantes del Suelo/metabolismoRESUMEN
Costa Rica is at the forefront of environmental conservation in Central America, with its focus on sustainability and green practices. Building on this foundation, the country joins a cohort of middle-income developing countries that have set forth ambitious goals to eliminate plastic pollution and become plastics-free. Recycling remains one of the most effective ways of removing plastic waste from the environment. Although GIS has been utilized in environmental research, its use is still expanding in developing countries of the Global South. These countries are experiencing unprecedented adverse climate and ecological impacts while also pursuing fundamental socioeconomic growth. The application of more cost-effective and strategic technological solutions, as well as data-driven decision-making, could fast-track the achievement of their urgent environmental goals. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, this study applies hot spot, location-allocation, and time-distance measures to examine Costa Rica's capacity to recycle plastic waste. Focusing specifically on availability and the public's access to recycling facilities, this article offers insights into the resource constraints and evolution of plastics governance in developing countries with environmentally-focused priorities. The findings of this study suggest that while Costa Rica is implementing progressive plastics regulatory policies, the ability to achieve plastics-free status is hampered by shortfalls in the number and distribution of recycling facilities and the public's access to recycling services. Expanding recycling infrastructure, including transportation, and adopting a less canton-centric waste administration system could contribute to resolving these challenges. This study contributes to discourses on global plastics governance and environmental change management in the Global South.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación Ambiental , Sistemas de Información Geográfica , Plásticos , Reciclaje , Costa Rica , Plásticos/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Análisis Espacial , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales/métodos , Monitoreo del AmbienteRESUMEN
Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente , Plásticos , Brasil , China , Ecosistema , Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Plásticos/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a concerning environmental issue, given their persistence, toxicity potential, and ability to accumulate in living organisms. Several studies have been conducted to assess the contamination of aquatic ecosystems by PTEs, using pollution and ecological risk indices that rely on the concentration of these elements in aquatic sediments. However, many of these studies use global reference values for calculating the indices, which can lead to misleading interpretations due to substantial variations in PTEs concentrations influenced by the geological characteristics of each region. Therefore, the use of regional reference values is more appropriate when available. This study aimed to investigate variations in the results of five indices, employing global, regional, and quality reference values, based on sediment samples collected from rivers in the Ipanema National Forest, a protected area in Brazil exposed to various anthropogenic pressures. The results revealed that elements such as Al, Fe, and Mn exceeded the limits allowed by legislation in water samples, while As and Cr surpassed the limits in sediment samples. Comparative analysis highlighted significant discrepancies in the results of the indices when global reference values were used compared to regional and quality reference values, especially for As and Ba. Thus, this study underscores the importance of establishing specific regional values for an accurate assessment of sediment quality and the risks associated with contamination by PTEs in different regions worldwide.
Asunto(s)
Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Ecosistema , Brasil , Valores de Referencia , Contaminación AmbientalRESUMEN
The long-term effects of environmental pollution have been of concern as several pollutants are carcinogenic, potentially inducing a variety of cancers, including childhood cancer, which is a leading cause of death around the world and, thus, is a public health issue. The present scoping review aimed to update and summarize the available literature to detect specific environmental pollutants and their association with certain types of childhood cancer. Studies published from 2013 to 2023 regarding environmental pollution and childhood cancer were retrieved from the PubMed database. A total of 174 studies were eligible for this review and were analyzed. Our search strategy brought up most of the articles that evaluated air pollution (29%) and pesticides (28%). Indoor exposure to chemicals (11%), alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy (16%), electromagnetic fields (12%), and radon (4%) were the subjects of less research. We found a particularly high percentage of positive associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to indoor (84%) and outdoor (79%) air pollution, as well as to pesticides (82%), and childhood cancer. Positive associations were found between leukemia and pesticides and air pollution (33% and 27%); CNS tumors and neuroblastoma and pesticides (53% and 43%); and Wilms tumor and other rare cancers were found in association with air pollution (50%). Indoor air pollution was mostly reported in studies assessing several types of cancer (26%). Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the potential associations between indoor/outdoor air pollution and pesticide exposure with childhood cancer risk as more preventable measures could be taken.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Contaminación del Aire Interior , Contaminación del Aire , Contaminantes Ambientales , Neoplasias , Plaguicidas , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Niño , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Neoplasias/etiología , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/toxicidad , Plaguicidas/toxicidad , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Laboratory ecotoxicological tests are important tools for the management of environmental changes derived from anthropogenic activities. Folsomia candida is usually the model species used in some procedures. However, this species may not be sufficiently representative of the sensitivity of the other collembolan species. This study aimed to evaluate (i) the effects of soils naturally rich in potentially toxic elements (PTE) and soil characteristics on the reproduction and survival of different collembolan species, (ii) whether the habitat function of these soils is compromised, and (iii) to what extent F. candida is representative of the other collembolan species. For this, reproduction tests with six collembolan species were conducted in 14 different samples of soils. In general, collembolan reproduction was not completely inhibited in none of the natural tested soils. Even soils with high pollution load index values did not negatively affect collembolan reproduction for most of the species. In contrast, the lowest collembolan reproduction rates were found in a visually dense soil (lowest volume/weight ratio), highlighting that soil attributes other than total PTE concentration also interfere in the reproduction of collembolans. Our results support the idea that the F. candida species might not be representative of other collembolan species and that laboratory tests to assess soil contaminations should be conducted using diverse collembolan species.
Asunto(s)
Artrópodos , Contaminantes del Suelo , Animales , Suelo , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental , ReproducciónRESUMEN
Humified organic matter has been shown to decrease Pb toxicity in plants. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of the mechanism by which this phenomenon occurs. In this study, we aimed to assess the ability of humic substances (HSs), humic acids (HAs), and fulvic acids (FAs) to enhance defense mechanisms in rice plants under lead (Pb)-stressed conditions. HS fractions were isolated from vermicompost using the chemical fractionation methodology established by the International Humic Substances Society. These fractions were characterized by solid-state NMR and FTIR. Chemometric analysis was used to compare humic structures and correlate them with bioactivity. Three treatments were tested to evaluate the protective effect of humic fractions on rice plants. The first experiment involved the application of humic fractions along with Pb. The second comprised pretreatment with humic fractions followed by subsequent exposure to Pb stress. The third experiment involved Pb stress and subsequent treatment with humic fractions. The root morphology and components of the antioxidative defense system were evaluated and quantified. The results showed that HS + Pb, HA + Pb, and FA + Pb treatment preserved root growth and reduced the levels of O2- and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the roots by up to 5% and 2%, respectively. Pretreatment of the plants with humic fractions promoted the maintenance of root growth and reduced the contents of O2-, H2O2, and MDA by up to 48%, 22%, and 20%, respectively. Combined application of humic fractions and Pb reduced the Pb content in plant tissues by up to 60%, while pretreatment reduced it by up to 80%. The protective capacity of humic fractions is related to the presence of peptides, lignin, and carbohydrate fragments in their molecular structures. These results suggest that products could be developed that can mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metals on agricultural crops.
Asunto(s)
Benzopiranos , Sustancias Húmicas , Plomo , Oryza , Contaminantes del Suelo , Estructura Molecular , Contaminación AmbientalRESUMEN
Introducción: La enfermedad de Alzheimer, constituye un problema sanitario y social de gran magnitud; precisa de diagnóstico y terapéutica precoces. Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos sobre factores de riesgo y biomarcadores de la enfermedad en las bases de datos PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Scielo y Lilacs, y mediante el buscador Google académico; desde el año 2017 hasta el 2023, en idioma español, inglés y portugués. Objetivo: Analizar los factores de riesgo y los biomarcadores de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Desarrollo: Los principales factores de riesgo encontrados son edad avanzada, menor educación, poca actividad física, hábito de fumar, consumo excesivo de alcohol, hipertensión arterial, diabetes, obesidad, depresión, pérdida o disminución de la audición, aislamiento social, los traumas craneales y la contaminación ambiental. Los biomarcadores fundamentales son: los marcadores que se utilizan en los estudios de neuroimágenes como la PET Amiloide, PET tau, PET FDG; y en LCR y plasma: Aß42, Aß42/Aß40, p tau 217, p tau 181, GFAP, y neurofilamentos de cadena ligeras. Conclusiones: Se requieren estudios longitudinales, a partir de la presencia de los factores de riesgo asociados a biomarcador, desde edades pregeriátricas en pacientes sanos, que tengan como salidas el deterioro cognitivo y el desarrollo de la demencia, para construir un modelo de predicción(AU)
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a health and social problem of great magnitude; it requires early diagnosis and therapy. A search for articles on risk factors and biomarkers of the disease was conducted; in the databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Scielo and Lilacs, and through the Google scholar search engine; from 2017 to 2023, in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Objective: To analyze the risk factors and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Development: The main risk factors found are advanced age, lower education, little physical activity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression, hearing loss or decrease, social isolation, head trauma and environmental pollution. The fundamental biomarkers are: markers used in neuroimaging studies such as amyloid PET, tau PET, FDG PET; and in CSF and plasma: Aß42, Aß42/Aß40, p tau 217, p tau 181, GFAP, and light chain neurofilaments. Conclusions: Longitudinal studies are required, based on the presence of risk factors associated with biomarkers, from pregeriatric ages in healthy patients, which have cognitive impairment and the development of dementia as outputs, to build a prediction model(AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Biomarcadores , Factores de Riesgo , Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Predicción/métodos , Amiloide , Aislamiento Social , Fumar , Estudios Longitudinales , Tomografía de Emisión de Positrones/métodos , Depresión , Diabetes Mellitus , Contaminación Ambiental , Conducta Sedentaria , Neuroimagen/métodos , Disfunción Cognitiva , Consumo Excesivo de Bebidas Alcohólicas , Pérdida Auditiva , Hipertensión , ObesidadRESUMEN
The dam failure of the Córrego do Feijão Mine (CFM) located in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, killed at least 278 people. In addition, large extensions of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems were destroyed, directly compromising the environmental and socioeconomic quality of the region. This study assessed the pollution and human health risks of soils impacted by the tailing spill of the CFM dam, along a sample perimeter of approximately 200 km. Based on potential ecological risk and pollution load indices, the enrichments of Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Pb and Ni in soils indicated that the Brumadinho, Mário Campos, Betim and São Joaquim de Bicas municipalities were the most affected areas by the broken dam. Restorative and reparative actions must be urgently carried out in these areas. For all contaminated areas, the children's group indicated an exacerbated propensity to the development of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases, mainly through the ingestion pathway. Toxicological risk assessments, including acute, chronic and genotoxic effects, on people living and working in mining areas should be a priority for public management and mining companies to ensure effective environmental measures that do not harm human health and well-being over time.
Asunto(s)
Metales Pesados , Contaminantes del Suelo , Niño , Humanos , Suelo , Metales Pesados/toxicidad , Metales Pesados/análisis , Ecosistema , Brasil , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Contaminación Ambiental/análisis , Contaminantes del Suelo/toxicidad , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
The identification of parasite fauna can contribute to the assessment of the health status of sea turtles, and thus make it possible to develop effective management and treatment strategies aimed at conserving these animals. The present study aimed to investigate the parasite fauna in sea turtles rescued in six sections of the coast of Santa Catarina and Paraná (Brazil) from January 2020 to December 2022 through the recording of exam reports available in the Information System of Aquatic Biota Monitoring. In total, records of 334 sea turtles were analyzed during this period, of which 219 (65.6 %) were infected with at least one parasite. Chelonia mydas was the most frequent species with 86.5 % of rescues and presented the highest species richness. At least 43 species belonging to 36 different genera have been recorded parasitizing sea turtles. The most common helminths were Cricocephalus albus, Metacetabulum invaginatum, Pronocephalus obliquus, with 12.3 %, 8.7 % and 8.4 %, respectively, while protozoa of the genus Entamoeba were the most prevalent in the turtles analyzed (8.1 %). An interesting finding was the unprecedented finding of Hymenolepis sp. eggs in faeces of some turtle species. The results showed that the parasite fauna was quite diverse, with several species known to be capable of harming the physical health and well-being of sea turtles. In view of this, it is necessary to adopt strategies for monitoring the health of the different rescued species with a view to conserving sea turtles in Brazilian territory.
Asunto(s)
Parásitos , Tortugas , Animales , Brasil , Contaminación Ambiental , BiotaRESUMEN
Pollution and its effects have been of major concern in recent decades. Many strategies and markers have been developed to assess their effects on biota. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes have received significant attention in this context because of their relationship with detoxification and activation of exogenous compounds. While their expression has been identified as a pollution exposure biomarker, in most cases, it has been tested only after acute exposures and for CYP genes associated with exogenous compounds. To elucidate CYP gene expression patterns under chronic pollution exposure, we have used the silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus as a model, which inhabits the Maipo River Basin, a freshwater system with different pollution levels. We performed next-generation RNA sequencing of liver and gill tissues from polluted and non-polluted populations. We found most CYP genes were not dysregulated by pollution, and the seven genes that were present and differentially expressed in liver and gill were mainly downregulated. Three CYP genes associated with exogenous compounds showed differential expression in the gill, while four CYP genes associated with endogenous compounds showed differential expression in the liver. The findings presented here highlight the importance of CYP genes, his family, tissues and his interaction in the context of pollution biomarkers use.
Asunto(s)
Sistema Enzimático del Citocromo P-450 , Peces , Animales , Peces/genética , Sistema Enzimático del Citocromo P-450/genética , Contaminación Ambiental , Biomarcadores , Agua DulceRESUMEN
Environmental pollution poses risks to ecosystems. Among these risks, one finds neurotoxicity and damage to the lateral line structures of fish, such as the neuromast and its hair cells. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is recommended as model species to be used in ecotoxicological studies and environmental biomonitoring programs aimed at assessing several biomarkers, such as ototoxicity. However, little is known about the history of and knowledge gaps on zebrafish ototoxicity. Thus, the aim of the current study is to review data available in the scientific literature about using zebrafish as animal model to assess neuromast toxicity. It must be done by analyzing the history and publication category, world production, experimental design, developmental stages, chemical classes, neuromasts and hair cell visualization methods, and zebrafish strains. Based on the results, number, survival and fluorescence intensity of neuromasts, and their hair cells, were the parameters oftentimes used to assess ototoxicity in zebrafish. The wild AB strain was the most used one, and it was followed by Tübingen and transgenic strains with GFP markers. DASPEI was the fluorescent dye most often applied as method to visualize neuromasts, and it was followed by Yo-Pro-1 and GFP transgenic lines. Antibiotics, antitumorals, metals, nanoparticles and plant extracts were the most frequent classes of chemicals used in the analyzed studies. Overall, pollutants can harm zebrafish's mechanosensory system, as well as affect their behavior and survival. Results have shown that zebrafish is a suitable model system to assess ototoxicity induced by environmental pollution.
Asunto(s)
Ototoxicidad , Perciformes , Animales , Pez Cebra , Ecosistema , Antibacterianos/toxicidad , Contaminación AmbientalRESUMEN
Volcanic eruptions can have long-lasting negative effects on nearby environments and communities, especially those relying on agriculture. The Tungurahua and Sangay volcanoes in Ecuador's highlands pose a significant risk to the region's agricultural economy and inhabitants. The most recent eruption of the Tungurahua volcano spanned from September 1999 to March 2016. Volcanic ash is known to contain both non-essential and essential elements for plant growth, but excessive amounts of the latter can also be toxic and disrupt physiological processes. Additionally, the use of pesticides and fertilizers introduces additional elements to agricultural soils, which can potentially transfer to edible plants and raise health concerns for consumers. Despite this, little is known about the impact of the Tungurahua volcano's latest eruption on soil deposition of micronutrient and heavy metals and their potential transfer to the food chain. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study to explore the impact of the Tungurahua volcano's latest eruption on soil deposition of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, As, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn, as well as the physicochemical characteristics of cultivated and uncultivated soil samples and vegetables in the cantons most affected by volcanic ash. According to our findings, the physicochemical properties, micronutrient, and heavy metal concentrations of both cultivated and uncultivated soils differ and, in some cases, exceeded the maximum limits established, which could affect the health of the soil as well as of human beings through the trophic chain. This study provides valuable information for monitoring the chemical and physical properties of soil and vegetables in areas affected by the Tungurahua volcanic activity and agriculture, aiding in understanding their impact on the environment, agriculture, and potential health risks associated with locally grown crops in rural Ecuadorian communities.
Asunto(s)
Metales Pesados , Contaminantes del Suelo , Oligoelementos , Humanos , Ecuador , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Metales Pesados/análisis , Suelo/química , Contaminación Ambiental , Verduras , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Medición de Riesgo , ChinaRESUMEN
The Parnaíba River is the main river in the Parnaíba Delta basin, the largest delta in the Americas. About 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and the environmental risk associated with the sediments was evaluated. The study found that PAHs levels ranged from 5.92 to 1521.17 ng g-1, which was classified as low to high pollution, and that there were multiple sources of pollution along the river, with pyrolytic sources predominating, mainly from urban activity such as trucking, although the influence of rural activity cannot be ruled out. PAHs correlated with black carbon and organic matter and showed high correlation with acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and ∑PAHs. The benzo(a)pyrene levels were classified as a risk to aquatic life because the threshold effect level and the probable effect level were exceeded. In addition, the sediments were classified as slightly contaminated with a benzo(a)pyrene toxicity equivalent value of 108.43 ng g-1. Thus, the priority level PAH exhibited carcinogenic and mutagenic activity that posed a potential risk to human health.
Asunto(s)
Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Humanos , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Benzo(a)pireno/análisis , Brasil , Contaminación Ambiental , Sedimentos Geológicos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
Introducción: Cada día el medio ambiente se ve deteriorado por la contaminación ambiental y el cambio climático, por tanto, es necesario que desde su formación universitaria los futuros enfermeros tomen conciencia ambiental, ayuden a prevenir enfermedades emergentes y se comprometan con el cuidado de su entorno, que le permita un hábitat saludable para todos. Objetivo: Comprender las reflexiones sobre el cuidado ambiental desde la perspectiva de estudiantes universitarios de Enfermería. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación cualitativa descriptiva exploratoria en agosto del 2022. La población fue de 20 estudiantes de Enfermería de la Universidad Nacional "Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza" de Amazonas en Perú, que cursaron la asignatura de Enfermería en Salud Ambiental, y la muestra fue de 12 estudiantes, obtenida por la técnica de saturación y redundancia. Para recolectar los datos se usó la entrevista semiestructurada a través de la plataforma Zoom, procesadas con el análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: Se obtuvieron cuatro categorías: a) Interés para cuidar el medio ambiente, b) Estrategias para cuidar el medio ambiente a nivel personal y familiar, c) Percepción sobre el cuidado/descuido del medio ambiente en su comunidad, y d) Impacto de la formación profesional para cuidar el medio ambiente. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes de Enfermería son conscientes de la importancia del cuidado del medio ambiente y por ello practican, junto a su familia, acciones que ayudan a mitigar el cambio climático. Se confirma el impacto positivo que tiene la asignatura de Enfermería en salud ambiental, por ello otras escuelas y facultades de Enfermería lo deberían considerar en sus planes curriculares(AU)
Introduction: Every day, the environment becomes much deteriorated by environmental pollution and climate change; therefore, it is necessary that, from their university education, future nurses become environmentally aware, help to prevent emerging diseases and commit themselves to taking care of their environment, allowing a healthy habitat for all. Objective: To understand the reflections on environmental care from the perspective of university Nursing students. Methods: An exploratory descriptive and qualitative research was conducted in August 2022. The population was 20 Nursing students from Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, of Amazonas in Peru, who studied the subject of Nursing in Environmental Health. The sample, of 12 students, was obtained using the saturation and redundancy technique. To collect the data, a semistructured interview was used through the Zoom platform, processed using thematic content analysis. Results: Four categories were obtained: a) Interest in caring for the environment, b) Strategies to care for the environment at a personal and family level, c) Perception on care/neglect of the environment in their community, and d) Impact of professional training to care for the environment. Conclusions: Nursing students are aware of the importance of caring for the environment; therefore, they carry out, together with their family, actions that help to mitigate climate change. The positive impact of the course Nursing in Environmental Health course is confirmed, and other schools or academic institutions of nursing should consider it for their curricular plans(AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Estudiantes de Enfermería , Cambio Climático , Salud Ambiental , Estrategias de Salud , Capacitación Profesional , Ecosistema , Investigación Cualitativa , Contaminación AmbientalRESUMEN
Abstract For places where non-sterile drug production occurs, regulatory bodies recommend monitoring of the environmental bioburden. This procedure provides information regarding possible microbiological risks to which the products may be exposed, so that subsequent action measures may be implemented. The aim of the present work was to quantify and characterize the microorganisms present in Grade D (ISO 8) cleanrooms of a Brazilian pharmaceutical industry, identifying any possible seasonal climatic influences on these environments. Sampling was performed by surface and air monitoring, over 12 months during the year 2019, in rooms that were in operation. For both sampling methods, no statistically significant differences in bacteria and fungi counts were found between months or seasonal periods. Microorganisms that presented higher incidence included Staphylococcus epidermidis (15%) and Micrococcus spp. (13%), common to the human microbiota, and the fungi Cladosporium sp. (23%) and Penicillium sp. (21%), typical of the external environment. The results showed that microbial contamination in the Grade D cleanrooms was within the permissible maximum levels and remained similar throughout the year. Microbiological quality control in the clean areas of the pharmaceutical industry investigated was considered effective, with regular maintenance being necessary to keep bioburden levels controlled.
Asunto(s)
Bacterias/clasificación , Monitoreo del Ambiente/instrumentación , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Industria Farmacéutica/instrumentación , Contaminación Ambiental/prevención & control , Microbiota/inmunología , Hongos/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Brazil is a major producer of sugarcane bioethanol, which has raised concerns about its environmental impact. The industrial process for obtaining ethanol generates a by-product with a high pollution potential called vinasse. If vinasse reaches watercourses, it may affect the biological communities, such as the aquatic macroinvertebrates, which include species sensitive to environmental contamination. Thus, this study evaluated the ecotoxicological effects of sugarcane vinasse on tropical benthic macroinvertebrates (Allonais inaequalis, Chironomus sancticaroli, Strandesia trispinosa, and Hyalella meinerti). The study was divided into three phases. First, acute toxicity tests were carried out with the four species. The species A. inaequalis (average LC50 = 0.460% confidence interval, CI 0.380-0.540%) was more sensitive to vinasse than C. sancticaroli (LC50 0.721%, CI 0.565-0.878%), H. meinerti (EC50 0.781%, CI 0.637-0.925%), and S. trispinosa (EC50 1.283%, CI 1.045-1.522%). In the second phase, the consequences of chronic exposure to vinasse were assessed in the two more sensitive species. Impairments in reproduction and population growth rates for A. inaequalis and on the development, metamorphosis, and body growth of C. sancticaroli larvae occurred. Finally, the bioaccumulation of metals after chronic exposure was determined in the third phase. Vinasse provoked decreases in the body residue of the essential metals Zn and Mn and the accumulation of Cd, Pb, and Cr with the potential for biomagnification throughout the food webs. Low concentrations of vinasse (below 1%) provoked lethal and sublethal effects on benthic organisms, with several cascade effects on aquatic environments, given the ecological importance of this group in freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.