Jaime Lopes da Mota Oliveira

NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS FROM AN INTERMITTENT AERATION ACTIVATED SLUDGE SYSTEM OF AN URBAN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

This study investigated the emission of N2O during the sequential aerated (60-min) and non-aerated (30-min) stages of an intermittent aeration cycle in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). N2O emission occurred during both stages; however, emission was much higher during aeration. Air stripping is the major factor controlling transfer of N2O from the sewage to the atmosphere. The N2O emissions exclusively from the aeration tank represented 0.10% of the influent total nitrogen load and the per capita emission factor was almost 3 times higher than that suggested by the IPCC for inventories of N2O emission from WWTPs.

Biodegradation of 14C-dicofol in wastewater aerobic treatment and sludge anaerobic biodigestion

Organic micropollutants are often found in domestic and industrial effluents. Thus, it is important to learn their fate, the metabolites generated and their sorption during biological treatment processes. This work investigated the biodegradation of 14C-dicofol organochloride during wastewater aerobic treatment and sludge anaerobic biodigestion. The performance of these processes was evaluated by physical–chemical parameters. Radioactivity levels were monitored in both treatments, and residues of dicofol (DCF) and dichlorobenzophenone (DBP) were quantified by HPLC/UV. The efficiency of the aerobic and anaerobic processes was slightly reduced in the presence of DCF and DBP. After aerobic treatment, only 0.1% of DCF was mineralized, and 57% of radioactivity remained sorbed on biological sludge as DBP. After 18 days of anaerobiosis, only 3% of DCF and 5% of DBP were detected in the sludge. However, 70% of radioactivity remained in the sludge, probably as other metabolites. Dicofol was biodegraded in the investigated process, but not mineralized.

Regulation of the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol in water bodies in Europe, the United States, and Brazil

O estrogenio sintetico 17α-etinilestradiol, principal componente utilizado em formulacoes de contraceptivos orais, tem sido apontado como um dos principais compostos responsaveis por provocar efeitos adversos no sistema endocrino de varias especies. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o estado da arte dos dispositivos legais e normativos referentes ao controle desse estrogenio sintetico nas aguas da Europa e dos Estados Unidos, e tracar um paralelo com a realidade brasileira. No geral, os paises tem buscado ampliar a regulamentacao e monitoramento de alguns micropoluentes emergentes que antes nao eram objeto de atencao por parte dos dispositivos legais. A Europa esta mais avancada no que tange a qualidade dos corpos hidricos, enquanto que nos Estados Unidos esta substância e alvo de regulamentacao apenas para a agua destinada ao consumo humano. No Brasil, ainda nao ha nenhum dispositivo legal ou normativo que aborde esse estrogenio, o que pode ser associado a uma baixa maturidade do sistema brasileiro quanto ao controle de poluentes hidricos.The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol, the principal component of oral contraceptives, has been identified as one of the main compounds accounting for adverse effects on the endocrine system in various species. This study aimed to analyze the state-of-the-art in legislation and guidelines for the control of this synthetic estrogen in water bodies in Europe and the United States and to draw a parallel with the Brazilian reality. Countries have generally attempted to expand the regulation and monitoring of certain emerging micropollutants not previously covered by legislation. Europe is more advanced in terms of water quality, while in the United States this estrogen is only regulated in water for human consumption. Brazil still lacks legal provisions or standards for this estrogen, which can be explained by the relatively limited maturity of the countrys system for controlling water pollutants.

EMISSÕES DE ÓXIDO NITROSO DO TANQUE DE AERAÇÃO DE UMA ESTAÇÃO DE TRATAMENTO DE ESGOTOS COM SISTEMA DE LODOS ATIVADOS CONVENCIONAL

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were measured monthly from January to June 2010 in the aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Southeast Brazil. Emissions were lower in summer than winter and were positively related with influent ammonium (NH4+) concentration. The average N2O emission was 1.11 kg N day-1 corresponding to 0.02% of the influent total nitrogen load. The average emission factor calculated for the population served was 2.5 lower than that proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for inventories of N2O emissions from WWTPs with controlled nitrification and denitrification processes.

Fate of organochlorine 14C-dicofol in a lab-scale wastewater treatment

The fate of organochlorine 14C-dicofol in activated sludge process was investigated. Results showed that the major part of radioactivity remained adsorbed on biological sludge. Consequently, its final disposal deserves special attention. The small amounts of dicofol, biotransformed or not, which remained in the treated effluent could contaminate receiving bodies.

The response of nitrous oxide emissions to different operating conditions in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants in Southeastern Brazil

The continuous measurements of N2O emissions from the aeration tanks of three activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operated with biological nitrogen removal (BNR) and non-BNR were performed during the different operating conditions of several parameters, such as aeration, dissolved oxygen (DO) profiling and organic shock loading (with landfill leachate). The nitrification process is the main driving force behind N2O emission peaks. There are indications that the variation of the air flow rate influenced N2O emissions; high N2O emissions denote over-aeration conditions or incomplete nitrification, with accumulation of NO2- concentrations. Thus, continuous measurements of N2O emissions can provide information on aeration adequacy and the efficiency of complete nitrification, with major focus on DO control, in order to reduce N2O emissions. An additional concern is the observed propensity of WWTPs in developing countries to receive landfill leachates in their wastewater systems. This practice could have adverse effects on climate change, since wastewater treatment during periods of organic shock loading emitted significantly higher amounts of N2O than without organic shock loading. In short, non-BNR WWTPs are subject to high N2O emissions, in contrast to BNR WWTP with controlled nitrification and denitrification processes.

Avanços e desafios em normatização de amostras grátis de medicamentos no Brasil

Este trabalho analisou criticamente a legislacao sobre amostras gratis de medicamentos no Brasil, pontuando alguns aspectos importantes relacionados a saude da populacao. Foi realizado um levantamento das leis, decretos, normas e regulamentacoes que norteiam o assunto. A amostra gratis e uma das estrategias de publicidade e marketing usadas pela industria farmaceutica. Em alguns casos, a indicacao de certos medicamentos e baseada em dados tecnicos apresentados pelos propagandistas. Por outro lado, os medicos que buscam informacoes tecnicas em fontes com menor influencia da industria farmaceutica indicam menos os medicamentos novos, que na maioria das vezes sao mais caros. Embora tenha sido observado um avanco na normatizacao em relacao as amostras gratis, ela ainda e incipiente. Topicos como o prazo minimo para sua distribuicao, quantidade maxima a ser entregue a cada prescritor, seu transporte, armazenamento e cuidados com o prazo de validade deveriam ser incluidas na legislacao pertinente, como ocorre em outros paises. Estas discussoes deveriam ser retomadas com a menor influencia possivel dos laboratorios farmaceuticos, seguindo criterios tecnico-cientificos. Portanto, e necessario que este assunto seja contextualizado nas resolucoes sobre amostras gratis de medicamentos, seguindo as normas das boas praticas de fabricacao.

Regulamentação do estrogênio sintético 17α-etinilestradiol em matrizes aquáticas na Europa, Estados Unidos e Brasil

O estrogenio sintetico 17α-etinilestradiol, principal componente utilizado em formulacoes de contraceptivos orais, tem sido apontado como um dos principais compostos responsaveis por provocar efeitos adversos no sistema endocrino de varias especies. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o estado da arte dos dispositivos legais e normativos referentes ao controle desse estrogenio sintetico nas aguas da Europa e dos Estados Unidos, e tracar um paralelo com a realidade brasileira. No geral, os paises tem buscado ampliar a regulamentacao e monitoramento de alguns micropoluentes emergentes que antes nao eram objeto de atencao por parte dos dispositivos legais. A Europa esta mais avancada no que tange a qualidade dos corpos hidricos, enquanto que nos Estados Unidos esta substância e alvo de regulamentacao apenas para a agua destinada ao consumo humano. No Brasil, ainda nao ha nenhum dispositivo legal ou normativo que aborde esse estrogenio, o que pode ser associado a uma baixa maturidade do sistema brasileiro quanto ao controle de poluentes hidricos.The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol, the principal component of oral contraceptives, has been identified as one of the main compounds accounting for adverse effects on the endocrine system in various species. This study aimed to analyze the state-of-the-art in legislation and guidelines for the control of this synthetic estrogen in water bodies in Europe and the United States and to draw a parallel with the Brazilian reality. Countries have generally attempted to expand the regulation and monitoring of certain emerging micropollutants not previously covered by legislation. Europe is more advanced in terms of water quality, while in the United States this estrogen is only regulated in water for human consumption. Brazil still lacks legal provisions or standards for this estrogen, which can be explained by the relatively limited maturity of the countrys system for controlling water pollutants.

Regulación del estrógeno sintético 17α-etinilestradiol en matrices acuáticas en Europa, Estados Unidos y Brasil

O estrogenio sintetico 17α-etinilestradiol, principal componente utilizado em formulacoes de contraceptivos orais, tem sido apontado como um dos principais compostos responsaveis por provocar efeitos adversos no sistema endocrino de varias especies. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o estado da arte dos dispositivos legais e normativos referentes ao controle desse estrogenio sintetico nas aguas da Europa e dos Estados Unidos, e tracar um paralelo com a realidade brasileira. No geral, os paises tem buscado ampliar a regulamentacao e monitoramento de alguns micropoluentes emergentes que antes nao eram objeto de atencao por parte dos dispositivos legais. A Europa esta mais avancada no que tange a qualidade dos corpos hidricos, enquanto que nos Estados Unidos esta substância e alvo de regulamentacao apenas para a agua destinada ao consumo humano. No Brasil, ainda nao ha nenhum dispositivo legal ou normativo que aborde esse estrogenio, o que pode ser associado a uma baixa maturidade do sistema brasileiro quanto ao controle de poluentes hidricos.The synthetic estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol, the principal component of oral contraceptives, has been identified as one of the main compounds accounting for adverse effects on the endocrine system in various species. This study aimed to analyze the state-of-the-art in legislation and guidelines for the control of this synthetic estrogen in water bodies in Europe and the United States and to draw a parallel with the Brazilian reality. Countries have generally attempted to expand the regulation and monitoring of certain emerging micropollutants not previously covered by legislation. Europe is more advanced in terms of water quality, while in the United States this estrogen is only regulated in water for human consumption. Brazil still lacks legal provisions or standards for this estrogen, which can be explained by the relatively limited maturity of the countrys system for controlling water pollutants.