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Brazil has one of the largest mineral coal reserves in the world. More than 40% of this ore is in the Candiota Mine, in the extreme south of Brazil, which was previously identified as a hotspot of environmental pollution. In addition, an important part of Brazil's population suffers from socioeconomic vulnerability. Since there is no information on unfavorable gestational and neonatal outcomes associated with these problems, we conducted a cross-sectional study with 1950 mother-child binomials, aiming to evaluate the association between these outcomes and air pollution as well as socioeconomic, demographic and health variables in seven cities in the region. Of the total births, 11.6% were preterm and 9.5% of neonates had low birth weight (<2500 g). These conditions were also associated with skin color, previous abortions, birth type and prenatal care, as well as exposure to higher levels of coarse particulate matter (PM10) during the first trimester of pregnancy. Regarding air pollutants, although the daily limits for PM10 were exceeded on less than 5% of days, the annual average overtook the values proposed by WHO. Thus, we concluded that prematurity and low birth weight in this region are related to air pollution, and to socioeconomic variables and health care.

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Coal mining and burning activities in coal-fired power plants are among the most polluting activities in developing countries. In Brazil, the Candiota coal deposit concentrates 40% of the national mineral coal. Although, previous studies indicate several negative health outcomes to residents of this coal region, there is no information about lung function. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate lung function by spirometry among residents from the largest coal mining region of Brazil and its related factors. It was carried out a cross-sectional study with 300 male adults residing in four cities from this region. Socioeconomic, demographic, life style, and health conditions were collected through a structured questionnaire, and lung function was assessed by spirometry. Almost 18% of the residents have disorders in pulmonary function. There was significant statistical difference in the spirometry main parameters between the cities. Candiota city (host city of coal exploration activities) have the highest prevalence of obstructive ventilatory disorder. Curiously, upper economic class had significant higher risk of altered lung function (P<0.001), as well as inappropriate sewage destination (P<0.001). Residents of Candiota city had 20% higher risk of altered lung function. Regarding air quality, the PM10, SO2, and NO2 of the region were 20.6± 3.9, 7.0± 2.2, and 6.0± 1.6, respectively. Two air quality stations exceed the limit of 20 µg/m3 to PM10 proposed by Brazilian legislation and WHO, and three stations had PM10 quite close to the limit. This study points out the need for urgent action to protect residents from this coal mining region.

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Coal is the most aggressive energy sources in the environment. Several adverse outcomes on children's health exposure to coal pollutants have been reported. Pollutants from coal power plants adversely affect the intellectual development and capacity. The present study aimed to evaluate the intellectual development and associated factors among children living a city under the direct influence (DI) and six neighboring municipalities under the indirect influence (II) of coal mining activity in the largest coal reserve of Brazil. A structured questionnaire was completed by the child's guardian, and Raven's Progressive Color Matrices were administered to each child to assess intellectual development. A total of 778 children participated. In general, no significant difference was observed between the two cities. The DI city had better socioeconomic conditions than the II municipalities according to family income (< 0.001). The prevalence of children who were intellectually below average or with intellectual disabilities was 22.9%, and there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between municipalities. In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, intellectual development was associated with maternal age, marital situation and maternal education level, birth weight, breast feeding, frequent children's daycare, paternal participation in children's care and child growth. Living in the DI area was not associated with intellectual disability. The results suggest that socioeconomic conditions and maternal and neonatal outcomes are more important than environmental factors for intellectual development of children living in a coal mining area.

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Coal extraction and processing generate environmental contamination, which has several negative impacts on human health. Hematological and biochemical parameters are effective biomarkers of the exposure of a population to air pollutants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate hematological and biochemical parameters in adult residents in a coal mining region in the largest national reserve in Brazil, as well as to investigate their relations with air quality. The study included three cities in the south of Brazil, which are located near an important power plant and coal mine. The air quality was analyzed by PM10, NOx, and SO2 at five air quality monitoring stations, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were evaluated with a questionnaire, and biochemical parameters were assessed in blood samples. The mean PM10 in the study area was 19.18 µg/m3. The air quality varied among the five monitoring stations, and the Candiota station exceeded the reference limit by 63.3%. In general, participants had lived more than 10 years in the municipality and had hepatic and renal parameters within the reference values. A higher prevalence of alterations was found in hematological parameters (43.1%) and liver function (30%). Among the three cities, the population of Pedras Altas seems to have a greater impairment of the blood parameters evaluated. The only parameter that was correlated with PM10 was the hematocrit level (r = 0.33; P < 0.001).

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Microalga species have attracted interest as a source of bioactive compounds with several pharmacological activities. Previous studies reported that microalgae from the genus Chlamydomonas have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of two extracts from microalga Chlamydomonas pumilioniformis were investigated. Cellular and extracellular extracts were prepared from a 14 day-batch culture in WC medium at the end of exponential growth and their carbohydrate contents were determined. Antinociceptive effects of extracts were evaluated by writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests, while the anti-inflammatory activity was analyzed by formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The analysis of dissolved carbohydrates detected amounts of 90 and 20 µg mL-1 of total carbohydrate in cellular and extracellular extracts, respectively. Cellular extract was mainly composed of glucose, but with significant proportions of arabinose, galactose and mannose and/or xylose and minor ones of fucose, rhamnose, amino sugars and uronic acids. Extracellular extract was composed of a similar proportion of glucose, galactose and mannose/xylose, besides significant ones of arabinose, fucose and galacturonic acid. Intraperitoneal administration of extracts significantly reduced writhing response in mice. In the formalin test, the extracellular extract inhibited both formalin phases, while the cellular extract was only effective in the late phase. Furthermore, extracts reduced the formalin-induced paw edema. In sum, we showed, for the first time, that C. pumilioniformis can be an important source of polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

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Microalga species have attracted interest as a source of bioactive compounds with several pharmacological activities. Previous studies reported that microalgae from the genus Chlamydomonas have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this study, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of two extracts from microalga Chlamydomonas pumilioniformis were investigated. Cellular and extracellular extracts were prepared from a 14 day-batch culture in WC medium at the end of exponential growth and their carbohydrate contents were determined. Antinociceptive effects of extracts were evaluated by writhing and formalin-induced nociception tests, while the anti-inflammatory activity was analyzed by formalin-induced paw edema in mice. The analysis of dissolved carbohydrates detected amounts of 90 and 20 µg mL-1 of total carbohydrate in cellular and extracellular extracts, respectively. Cellular extract was mainly composed of glucose, but with significant proportions of arabinose, galactose and mannose and/or xylose and minor ones of fucose, rhamnose, amino sugars and uronic acids. Extracellular extract was composed of a similar proportion of glucose, galactose and mannose/xylose, besides significant ones of arabinose, fucose and galacturonic acid. Intraperitoneal administration of extracts significantly reduced writhing response in mice. In the formalin test, the extracellular extract inhibited both formalin phases, while the cellular extract was only effective in the late phase. Furthermore, extracts reduced the formalin-induced paw edema. In sum, we showed, for the first time, that C. pumilioniformis can be an important source of polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.(AU)

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Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de trabalhadores portuários identificando os fatores associados a esse desfecho.Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal desenvolvido com 226 trabalhadores de estiva e de capatazia de um porto no sul do Brasil. A coleta ocorreu em 2014, abrangendo dados sobre qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT), atividade física, estresse e sintomas osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho; utilizando-se, respectivamente, o Questionário de Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho, o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física, a Job Stress Scale e o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares. Resultados: Dos trabalhadores analisados, identificou-se 73% (n=165) com nível de estresse médio ou alto, 68,2% (n=154) com sobrepeso e/ou obesidade e 50% (n=113) com sintomas osteomusculares, sendo a região lombar a mais prevalente (31,9% - n=72). Este estudo mostrou associação do desfecho QVT com as variáveis independentes: idade, renda e sintomas osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho. Encontrou-se a prevalência de 46% (n=104) para QVT desfavorável. O risco para o desfecho aumentou na presença de sintomas osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (RP=1,37) e, diminuiu gradativamente nas maiores faixas etárias: 45-59 anos (RP=0,70) e 60 anos ou mais (RP=0,53). Conclusão: Identificou-se a necessidade de uma intervenção no ambiente laboral portuário, sobretudo no que se refere aos sintomas osteomusculares que comprometem a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores e no estímulo à adoção de hábitos de vida mais saudáveis. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of casual dock worker identifying the associated factors to this outcome. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study developed with 226 workers stevedore and capatazia of a port in southern Brazil. The collected data occurred in the year 2014, covering data on quality of working life (QWL), physical activity, stress and musculoskeletal symptoms related to work; using, respectively, the Quality of Life at Work Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Job Stress Scale and the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms. Results: Of workers analyzed, 73% (n=165) were identified with medium or high level of stress, 68.2% (n=154) with overweight and/or obese and 50% (n=113) with musculoskeletal symptoms, being the lumbar region the most prevalent (31.9% - n=72). This study showed an association of quality of life outcome with the independent variables: age, income and musculoskeletal symptoms related to work. The prevalence of 46% (n=104) for unfavorable QWL was found. The risk for the outcome increased in the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms related to work (PR=1.37) and, gradually, decreasing in older age groups: 45-59 years (PR=0.70) and above 60 years (PR=0.53). Conclusion: It was identified the need of intervention in the port work environment, especially with regard to the musculoskeletal symptoms that compromise the quality of life of workers and encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyles. (AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida de los trabajadores portuarios temporales e identificar los factores asociados con esta variable de interés. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal desarrollado con 226 trabajadores de estiba y muellaje de un puerto en el sur de Brasil. La recopilación ocurrió en 2014, abarcando datos sobre calidad de la vida laboral (CVL), actividad física, estrés y síntomas musculoesqueléticos relacionados con el trabajo; utilizando, respectivamente, el Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida en el Trabajo, el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, la Job Stress Scale y el Cuestionario Nórdico de los Síntomas Musculoesqueléticos. Resultados: De los trabajadores analizados, 73% (n=165) fueron identificados con nivel de estrés medio o elevado, 68,2% (n=154) tenían sobrepeso y/u obesidad y 50% (n=113) con síntomas musculoesqueléticos, con la región lumbar la más frecuente (31,9% - n=72). Este estudio mostró una asociación de la variable de interés CVL con las variables independientes: edad, renta y los síntomas musculoesqueléticos relacionados con el trabajo. La prevalencia de la CVL considerada desfavorable fue de 46% (n=104). El riesgo para la variable de interés aumentó en presencia de síntomas musculoesqueléticos relacionados con el trabajo (RP=1,37) y disminuyó gradualmente en grupos de mayor edad: 45-59 años (RP=0,70) y 60 o más años (RP=0,53). Conclusión: Se identificó la necesidad de una intervención en el ambiente de trabajo portuario, especialmente con respecto a los síntomas musculoesqueléticos que comprometen la calidad de vida de los trabajadores y en el estímulo de la adopción de estilos de vida más saludables. (AU)

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Several negative health effects have been associated with environmental pollution. Coal mining activities are related to DNA damage. However, the impact of lifestyle as well as environmental exposure must be considered when evaluating the extent of DNA damage. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze nutritional status, dietary patterns, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) among coal miners as well as to investigate the correlation of these variables with DNA damage. We used a questionnaire to assess demographics, health, and dietary habits. The nutritional status was measured in terms of BMI (body mass index) and DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay. The sample population was composed of 158 coal miners from the largest coal mining company in South of Brazil, and majority of them were classified as overweight (51.3%) or obese (28.5%). Hypertension was the most common CNCD (50.6%) and a majority of these workers consumed all groups of foods three or more times a week. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and DNA damage (r = 0.1646, p = 0.04) and this association was stronger (r = 0.2556, p = 0.04) in coal miners with some CNCD. There was no significant correlation between dietary patterns and DNA damage in coal miners. These results suggest that the nutritional status and CNCD increase the extent of DNA damage in coal miners. Since this population is at high occupational risk, specific strategies should be designed to improve the health of these workers, aiming to achieve health equity.

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An understanding of the spatial distribution and contribution of a power plant to local soil contamination is important for the planning of soil use and prioritizing remedial actions for public safety. Consequently, the aim of this study was to map the spatial distribution of potentially hazardous elements (PHEs; Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, As, and Se) in soils around a large (796 MW) coal-fired power plant in Brazil. For the purpose, 33 soil samples were collected in the area within a radius of approximately 17.5 km from the plant and subsequently analyzed for PHEs. The frequency and direction of winds were also obtained from a meteorological station in the region. The sampling area was divided into four quadrants (northwest: N-NW; northeast: N-NE; southeast: S-SE; southwest: S-SW), and there were significant negative correlations between the distance and the concentrations of Se in the S-SE quadrant and As in the S-SW and S-SE quadrants. There were positive correlations between distance from the plant and the concentration of Mn in the N-NE quadrant and the concentration of Cd in the S-SW quadrant. The dominant direction of the winds was N-NE. The indexes used in this study showed low-to-moderate enrichment factor, but detailed analysis of the dominant quadrant of the winds showed a correlation with higher concentrations in the soils closer to the power plant for at least seven of the PHEs analyzed, especially with regard to As. Therefore, we conclude that the distribution of the metalloid As can be used as a marker of the spatial distribution of contamination from the thermoelectric plant, but the dynamics of the other elements suggests that the presence of other sources of contamination may also compromise the quality of local soils.

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In large urban centers, the toxicity of metal mixtures may be enhanced by physicochemical factors and environmental variables, including pH. Rio Grande, a municipality located in the extreme south of Brazil, has soils with high levels of contamination due to urban and industrial activities and a high prevalence of acid rain events. Previous studies have shown that contact with elutriate of these soils can cause physiological and reproductive changes. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate, through animal experimentation, the effects of a metal-contaminated soil, acidified by hydrofluoric acid at two different pH values (5.2 and 3.6), on the health of offspring of rats exposed during gestation and lactation. Female Wistar rats were gavaged daily for 42 days (gestation and breastfeeding) with soil elutriate contaminated with metals, using solvent with different pH values (6.0, 5.2, and 3.6). The following parameters were evaluated in their offspring: body and organ weight, length, appearance of developmental characteristics, and swimming. Experimental groups in which the progenitors were exposed to the solution at pH 3.6 exhibited a delayed increase in weight as well as motor deficit, with a decreased weight (onset) and length (beginning and end), while exposure in association with soil was an aggravating factor for the damages to the body. Exposure to the solution at pH 5.2 decreased the initial weight of the animals, impaired some parameters of weight development, and caused motor deficit on the 14th day. These novel findings reveal that the exposure of progenitors to environmental stressors can compromise the health of the offspring. Special attention should be given to populations living in areas with high prevalence of acid rain.

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