Seroepidemiology and occupational and environmental variables for leptospirosis, brucellosis and toxoplasmosis in slaughterhouse workers in the Paran�� State, Brazil

Leptospirosis, brucellosis and toxoplasmosis are widely-distributed zoonosis, being the man an accidental participant of their epidemiological chains. The aim of this paper was to make a seroepidemiological report and identify occupational and environmental variables related to these illnesses in 150 workers in a slaughterhouse in the Northern region of Paran��. For the diagnosis of leptospirosis a microscopical seroagglutination test was applied; for brucellosis, the tamponated acidified antigen test and the 2-mercaptoetanol tests were used, and for toxoplasmosis the indirect immunofluorescence reaction test. For each employee an epidemiological survey was filled, which investigated occupational and environmental variables which could be associated with these infections. Positive results for leptospirosis were found in 4.00% of the samples, for brucellosis in 0.66% of samples and toxoplasmosis in 70.00%. From the three diseases researched, only the results for leptospirosis suggest occupational infection.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: levels and phase distributions in preschool microenvironment

This work aims to characterize levels and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor air of preschool environment and to assess the impact of outdoor PAH emissions to indoor environment. Gaseous and particulate (PM1 and PM2.5) PAHs (16 USEPA priority pollutants, plus dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were concurrently sampled indoors and outdoors in one urban preschool located in north of Portugal for 35 days. The total concentration of 18 PAHs (��PAHs) in indoor air ranged from 19.5 to 82.0 ng/m3; gaseous compounds (range of 14.1���66.1 ng/m3) accounted for 85% ��PAHs. Particulate PAHs (range 0.7���15.9 ng/m3) were predominantly associated with PM1 (76% particulate ��PAHs) with 5-ring PAHs being the most abundant. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios (I/O) of individual PAHs indicated that outdoor emissions significantly contributed to PAH indoors; emissions from motor vehicles and fuel burning were the major sources.

Trace Elements in Ambient Air at Porto Metropolitan Area���Checking for Compliance with New European Union (Eu) Air Quality Standards

Because of the scientific evidence showing that arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) are human genotoxic carcinogens, the European Union (EU) recently set target values for metal concentration in ambient air (As: 6 ng/m3, Cd: 5 ng/m3, Ni: 20 ng/m3). The aim of our study was to determine the concentration levels of these trace elements in Porto Metropolitan Area (PMA) in order to assess whether compliance was occurring with these new EU air quality standards. Fine (PM2.5) and inhalable (PM10) air particles were collected from October 2011 to July 2012 at two different (urban and suburban) locations in PMA. Samples were analyzed for trace elements content by inductively coupled plasma���mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study focused on determination of differences in trace elements concentration between the two sites, and between PM2.5 and PM10, in order to gather information regarding emission sources. Except for chromium (Cr), the concentration of all trace elements was higher at the urban site. However, results for As, Cd, Ni, and lead (Pb) were well below the EU limit/target values (As: 1.49 �� 0.71 ng/m3; Cd: 1.67 �� 0.92 ng/m3; Ni: 3.43 �� 3.23 ng/m3; Pb: 17.1 �� 10.1 ng/m3) in the worst-case scenario. Arsenic, Cd, Ni, Pb, antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were predominantly associated to PM2.5, indicating that anthropogenic sources such as industry and road traffic are the main source of these elements. High enrichment factors (EF > 100) were obtained for As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn, further confirming their anthropogenic origin.

Frequency of hepatitis B immunity and occupational exposures to body fluids among brazilian medical students at a public university

In the present study the frequencies of immunity against hepatitis B (HB) and of potentially contaminating accidents among medical students of a Brazilian public university were evaluated. Of all the 400 students who should have been immunized, 303 (75.7%), 66.3% of whom were women, answered an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Serum anti-HBs were determined in 205 of them and titers > 10 UI/L were considered to be protective. A total of 86.8% of students had received three doses of HB vaccine. The frequency of immunity among women (96.4%) was higher (p = 0.04) than that among men (87.7%). Among those who did not have immunity, 12/13 (92.3%) had been vaccinated before entering medical school. Only 11% of the students with complete vaccination had previously verified serological response to the vaccine. A total of 23.6% reported having been somehow exposed to blood or secretions. Among final-year students, this frequency was 45.0%, being similar among men (47.8%) and women (43.2%). Of all these accidents, 57.7% were due to body fluids coming in contact with mucosa and 42.3% due to cut and puncture accidents. The results from this study show that: 1) the frequency of immunity against HB is high among the evaluated medical students, although verification of response to vaccination is not a concern for them; 2) anti-HBs titers should be verified after complete vaccination and on a regular basis, especially by men; and 3) the frequency of potentially contaminating accidents is high.

Projeto de uma ETAR para a freguesia de Canelas, Penafiel

O tratamento das ��guas residuais dom��sticas surge com o intuito de degradar os poluentes presentes, para que as ��guas residuais tratadas n��o prejudiquem o ambiente nem a sa��de p��blica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a conce����o e o dimensionamento de uma Esta����o de Tratamento de ��guas Residuais (ETAR) na freguesia de Canelas com a finalidade de substituir a j�� existente e permitir a amplia����o da ��rea da rede de saneamento da freguesia. Foram considerados dois tipos de ETAR���s, compacta e convencional, para tratar ��guas residuais dom��sticas de aproxidamente 2000 habitantes, com um caudal m��dio de 400 m3/dia e um caudal de ponta de 1136,7 m3/dia. Das duas op����es optou-se pela convencional uma vez que acarreta um menor investimento, no valor de 187 232 ���, e se considera tamb��m mais adequada ��s caracter��sticas do efluente a tratar. O tratamento escolhido inclui inicialmente uma gradagem, com uma grade constitu��da por sete barras com um espa��amento de 20 mm entre elas, seguida de um tamisador rotativo com uma abertura de malha de 3 mm. Depois do tamisador, optou-se por um sistema de desarena����o/desengorduramento com um volume do tanque de 3,95 m3 e um fluxo de ar de 17,9 m3/h. Na fase seguinte considerou-se um tratamento biol��gico por lamas ativadas em regime de arejamento prolongado num tanque de arejamento de volume igual a 245,8 m3 com um arejador submerso, seguindo-se um decantador secund��rio de volume 33,3 m3. Por ��ltimo, escolheu-se um sistema de desinfe����o por ultravioleta e, a montante do mesmo, um filtro r��pido para eliminar pequenas part��culas que o efluente ainda possa conter. Para a desinfe����o foram consideradas duas sec����es com cinco m��dulos de duas l��mpadas cada, ou seja, vinte l��mpadas ultravioleta. Dos res��duos produzidos pelo tratamento da ��gua residual, os gradados e as areias ser��o encaminhados para aterro, enquanto que as lamas ser��o enviadas para a ETAR das Termas de S.Vicente, para que sofram o tratamento adequado e sejam encaminhadas para o destinal final adequado (aplica����o em solos agr��colas, compostagem ou em alternativa para aterro). No caso da ETAR covencional foi ainda avaliada a poss��vel reutiliza����o de um decantador da ETAR de Milhundos uma vez que esta se encontrava em fase de desativa����o. Desta avalia����o, concluiu-se que n��o seria economicamente vi��vel o seu reaproveitamento. Mestrado em Engenharia Qu��mica ��� Tecnologias de Prote����o Ambiental Para al��m disso realizou-se tamb��m um levantamento dos principais problemas que ocorrem na maioria das ETAR���s e foram apresentadas as respetivas sugest��es de resolu����o. A realiza����o de um inqu��rito permititu concluir que os odores s��o o problema que mais causa inc��modo �� popula����o.

Modelling and optimization of the ion exchange membrane bioreactor for removal of anionic pollutants from drinking water streams

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Qu��mica, especialidade de Engenharia Bioqu��mica

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO BODY FLUIDS AND BEHAVIORS REGARDING THEIR PREVENTION AND POST-EXPOSURE AMONG MEDICAL AND NURSING STUDENTS AT A BRAZILIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the frequencies and characteristics of occupational exposures among medical and nursing students at a Brazilian public university, in addition to their prevention and post-exposure behavior. During the second semester of 2010, a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was completed by 253/320 (79.1%) medical students of the clinical course and 149/200 (74.5%) nursing students who were already performing practical activities. Among medical students, 53 (20.9%) suffered 73 injuries, which mainly occurred while performing extra-curricular activities (32.9%), with cutting and piercing objects (56.2%), in the emergency room (39.7%), and as a result of lack of technical preparation or distraction (54.8%). Among nursing students, 27 (18.1%) suffered 37 injuries, which mainly occurred with hollow needles (67.6%) in the operating room or wards (72.2%), and as a result of lack of technical preparation or distraction (62.1%). Among medical and nursing students, respectively, 96.4% and 48% were dissatisfied with the instructions on previously received exposure prevention; 48% and 18% did not always use personal protective equipment; 67.6% and 16.8% recapped used needles; 49.3% and 35.1% did not bother to find out the source patient's serological results post-exposure; and 1.4% and 18.9% officially reported injuries. In conclusion, this study found high frequencies of exposures among the assessed students, inadequate practices in prevention and post-exposure, and, consequently, the need for training in “standard precautions” to prevent such exposures.

Exposi����o ocupacional a part��culas e fun����o respirat��ria em trabalhadores industriais

RESUMO - Num local de trabalho, em especial num ambiente industrial, podemos estar expostos a diversos tipos de riscos profissionais. A exposi����o ocupacional a part��culas poder�� ser causa de diversas doen��as respirat��rias, em fun����o das caracter��sticas das part��culas, da concentra����o existente no ar ambiente interior e da dura����o da exposi����o. Com o presente estudo, o investigador pretende descrever o tipo de associa����o existente entre a exposi����o a part��culas e a fun����o respirat��ria, avaliar os efeitos respirat��rios na popula����o em estudo e propor medidas para minimizar os efeitos e promover a sa��de dos trabalhadores expostos.

Gas emissions on rice culture and its importance on air quality

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente Perfil Gest��o de Sistemas Ambientais

Evaluation of air lime and clayish earth mortars for earthen wall renders

CIAV2013 ��� International Conference on Vernacular Architecture, 7�� ATP, VerSus, 16-20 october 2013

Identification of atmospheric pollutants control mechanisms during co-combustion of coal and non-toxic wastes

Doctoral dissertation for Ph.D. degree in Sustainable Chemistry

Electrodialytic remediation of two types of air pollution control residues and their applicability in construction materials

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia do Ambiente Perfil de Engenharia de Sistemas Ambientais

Exposi����o a ozono em cabinas de avi��o

RESUMO - O ozono �� o principal componente da polui����o fotoqu��mica do ar. Como agente irritante do aparelho respirat��rio, os seus efeitos sobre a sa��de caracterizam-se, essencialmente, por tosse, dispneia, desconforto tor��cico e altera����es da fun����o pulmonar, encontrando-se tamb��m associadas �� exposi����o ambiental a O3 tanto uma maior frequ��ncia e gravidade de crises de asma como a ocorr��ncia de quadros cl��nicos de irrita����o conjuntival. �� sobretudo a partir dos anos 50, com a descoberta de concentra����es elevadas de ozono em ambientes de trabalho respeitantes �� actividade de soldadura ��a arco��, que aquele g��s passa a ser encarado como factor profissional de risco. No in��cio dos anos 60 surgem os primeiros estudos de exposi����o a O3 em cabinas de avi��o, suscitados pela ocorr��ncia, em tripulantes e passageiros, de queixas cl��nicas de irrita����o do tracto respirat��rio. Esta sintomatologia era, at�� ent��o, atribu��da �� ac����o de outros factores, designadamente o sistema de ventila����o e o baixo teor de humidade do ar. Posteriormente, alguns estudos revelaram que, em voos comerciais subs��nicos, os teores elevados de O3 observados no interior das cabinas poderiam ser provocados pela sua insuficiente destrui����o nos sistemas de entrada de ar.O presente estudo, efectuado em voos de longo curso realizados em aeronaves Airbus A340-300 numa ��nica rota comercial, teve por objectivo avaliar a exposi����o a ozono no ar interior em cabina de avi��o. Os teores m��dios de concentra����o de ozono observados foram inferiores aos valores suscept��veis de provocarem efeitos adversos sobre o aparelho respirat��rio. Como valor m��ximo instant��neo, foi atingida a concentra����o de 152 ppb. Adicionalmente, foi constatada a influ��ncia das esta����es do ano nos teores de O3. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos permite concluir que as concentra����es de ozono no ar interior nas cabinas de avi��o estudadas s��o inferiores ��s correspondentes concentra����es m��ximas admiss��veis, tendo, em todos os voos, sido observado o cumprimento da norma da FAA respeitante �� protec����o da exposi����o ao ozono em cabinas de aeronaves de avia����o comercial.

Air lime-earth blended mortars - Assessment on fresh state and workability

International Conference on Vernacular Heritage, Sustainability and Earthen Architecture, VerSus 2014, 2nd MEDITERRA, 2nd ResTAPIA, 11-13 September, Valencia, Spain