RESUMO
This paper presents results of a methane balance assessment in a test cell built in a region with a subtropical climate near São Paulo, Brazil. Measurements and calculations were carried out to obtain the total methane emission to the atmosphere, the methane oxidation rate in the cover, and the total methane generation rate in the test cell. The oxidation rate was obtained through a calculation scheme based on a vertical one-dimensional methane transport in the cover region. The measured maximum and mean methane fluxes to the atmosphere were 124.4 and 15.87 g m(-2) d(-1), respectively. The total methane generation rate obtained for the test cell was 0.0380 ± 0.0075 mol s(-1). The results yielded that 69 % of the emitted methane occurred through the central well and 31 % through the cover interface with the atmosphere. The evaluations of the methane oxidation fraction for localized conditions in the lateral embankment of the test cell yielded 0.36 ± 0.11, while for the whole test cell yielded 0.15 ± 0.10. These results conciliate localized and overall evaluations reported in the literature. The specific methane generation rate obtained for the municipal solid waste with an age of 410 days was 317 ± 62 mol year(-1) ton(-1). This result from the subtropical São Paulo region is lower than reported figures for tropical climates and higher than reported figures for temperate climates.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Metano/análise , Eliminação de Resíduos , Poluentes Atmosféricos/química , Atmosfera/química , Brasil , Metano/química , Modelos Teóricos , Oxirredução , Eliminação de Resíduos/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos/normas , Clima Tropical , Instalações de Eliminação de ResíduosRESUMO
As biosolids application to croplands becomes a common practice, potential harm from pathogenic microbes needs to be mitigated for its safe reuse. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of tilling treatment on biosolids drying and microbial inactivation during the solar drying process in a semi-arid and temperate region. Solar drying experiments were conducted in sand and gravel dying beds open-to-the-air and under covering structures with biosolids to 20 cm depth from 2004 to 2006. Anaerobically- and Aerobically-digested biosolids received different tilling treatments throughout the drying process, while a series of biosolids samples were collected to determine the impact on total solids and microbial concentrations (Salmonella spp and heminth ova). Tilling treatments appeared to enhance the biosolids drying and microbial inactivation. Tilling was more effective during the cold season compared with the summer season and tilling treatments were also helpful in elevating biosolids temperature by expediting biosolids drying. The combined effect of temperature increase and moisture decrease by tilling may have resulted in faster microbial inactivation, particularly for persistent helminth ova. It was concluded that incorporation of tilling into biosolids solar drying can expedite biosolids drying as well as microbial inactivation, and thus can be an effective measure for shortening the biosolids conversion to Class A biosolids in which pathogens are reduced to below detectable levels.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Viabilidade Microbiana , Eliminação de Resíduos/normas , Esgotos/microbiologia , Esgotos/parasitologia , Luz Solar , Animais , Arizona , Fenômenos Fisiológicos Bacterianos/efeitos da radiação , Helmintos/fisiologia , Helmintos/efeitos da radiação , México , Estações do Ano , Esgotos/químicaRESUMO
Waste molding and core sands from the foundry industry are successfully being used around the world in geotechnical and soil-related applications. Although waste foundry sands (WFSs) are generally not hazardous in nature, relevant data is currently not available in Argentina. This study aimed to quantify metals in waste molding and core sands from foundries using a variety of metal-binder combinations. Metal concentrations in WFSs were compared to those in virgin silica sands (VSSs), surface soils and soil guidance levels. A total analysis for Ag, Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Te, Tl, V, and Zn was conducted on 96 WFSs and 14 VSSs collected from 17 small and medium-sized foundries. The majority of WFSs analyzed, regardless of metal cast and binder type, contained metal concentrations similar to those found in VSSs and native soils. In several cases where alkyd urethane binder was used, Co and Pb concentrations were elevated in the waste sands. Elevated Cr, Mo, Ni, and Tl concentrations associated with VSSs should not be an issue since these metals are bound within the silica sand matrix. Because of the naturally low metal concentrations found in most WFSs examined in this study, they should not be considered hazardous waste, thus making them available for encapsulated and unencapsulated beneficial use applications.
Assuntos
Resíduos Industriais/análise , Metais/análise , Dióxido de Silício/análise , Poluentes do Solo/análise , Solo/análise , Argentina , Metalurgia , Metais/química , Eliminação de Resíduos/normas , Poluentes do Solo/químicaRESUMO
Sales of electrical and electronic equipment are increasing dramatically in developing countries. Usually, there are no reliable data about quantities of the waste generated. A new law for solid waste management was enacted in Brazil in 2010, and the infrastructure to treat this waste must be planned, considering the volumes of the different types of electrical and electronic equipment generated. This paper reviews the literature regarding estimation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), focusing on developing countries, particularly in Latin America. It briefly describes the current WEEE system in Brazil and presents an updated estimate of generation of WEEE. Considering the limited available data in Brazil, a model for WEEE generation estimation is proposed in which different methods are used for mature and non-mature market products. The results showed that the most important variable is the equipment lifetime, which requires a thorough understanding of consumer behavior to estimate. Since Brazil is a rapidly expanding market, the "boom" in waste generation is still to come. In the near future, better data will provide more reliable estimation of waste generation and a clearer interpretation of the lifetime variable throughout the years.
Assuntos
Resíduo Eletrônico/análise , Modelos Teóricos , Reciclagem/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos/métodos , Brasil , Países em Desenvolvimento , Equipamentos e Provisões Elétricas/classificação , Resíduo Eletrônico/classificação , Resíduo Eletrônico/economia , América Latina , Reciclagem/economia , Reciclagem/legislação & jurisprudência , Reciclagem/normas , Eliminação de Resíduos/economia , Eliminação de Resíduos/legislação & jurisprudência , Eliminação de Resíduos/normasRESUMO
This work investigated knowledges and attitudes of nurses from the staff of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on solid healthcare waste (SHCW). This is an exploratory descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews applied to 24 nurses from the staff. Content analysis was used to categorize the data. Four categories were identified: Meaning of the phrase solid healthcare waste; Separation of solid healthcare waste; Realization of the course/knowledge; and Professionals who do not separate. Results confirmed the importance to treat this issue more seriously, emphasizing the need of access to appropriate guidance.
Assuntos
Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Assistentes de Enfermagem/psicologia , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/psicologia , Eliminação de Resíduos , Adulto , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Brasil , Medicina Clínica , Feminino , Fidelidade a Diretrizes/estatística & dados numéricos , Departamentos Hospitalares , Hospitais Urbanos , Humanos , Masculino , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/normas , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Eliminação de Resíduos/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos/normas , Eliminação de Resíduos/estatística & dados numéricos , Centro Cirúrgico Hospitalar , Adulto JovemRESUMO
O presente trabalho investigou os conhecimentos e atitudes dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rio Grande do Sul, em relação ao descarte dos resíduos sólidos dos serviços de saúde (RSSS). Realizou-se uma pesquisa de natureza exploratória descritiva, através de uma abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas aplicadas a 24 profissionais da equipe de enfermagem. Os dados foram categorizados através da análise de conteúdo, tendo sido identificadas quatro categorias: Significado da expressão resíduos sólidos de serviços de saúde; Separação dos resíduos sólidos dos serviços de saúde; Realização do curso/conhecimento e Profissionais que não realizam a separação. Os resultados ratificaram a importância de tratar com maior seriedade a questão apresentada, reforçando a necessidade do acesso às orientações adequadas.
El presente trabajo pretiende investigar los conocimientos y actitudes de los profesionales del equipo de enfermería del Hospital de Clínicas de Porto (HCPA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, en relación al descarte de los residuos sólidos de los servicios de salud (RSSS). Fue realizada una pesquisa de naturaleza exploratoria descriptiva, a través de un abordaje cualitativo. Los datos fueron obtenidos a partir de encuestas semi estructuradas aplicadas a 24 profesionales del equipo de enfermaje. Se buscó la categorización de los datos a través del análisis de contenido. Fueron identificadas cuatro categorías: Significado de la palabra residuos sólidos de servicios de salud; Separación de los residuos sólidos de los servicios de salud; Realización del curso/conocimiento y Profesionales que no realizan la separación. Con los resultados, se ratificó la importancia de tratar con mayor seriedad la cuestión presentada, reforzando la necesidad del acceso a las orientaciones adecuadas.
This work investigated the knowledges and attitudes of the professionals of the nursing group of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on solid residues in health services (SRHS). Was realized a search for exploratory descriptive nature, through a qualitative approach. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews applied to 24 professionals of the nursing group. The categorization of the data came through content analysis. Four categories were identified: Meaning of the word solid residues in health services; Separation of solid residues of the health services; Realization of the course/knowledge and professionals who not do the separation. With the results, was confirmed the importance to treat more seriously this question presented, emphasizing the need for access to appropriate guidance.
Assuntos
Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Assistentes de Enfermagem/psicologia , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/psicologia , Eliminação de Resíduos , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Brasil , Medicina Clínica , Fidelidade a Diretrizes/estatística & dados numéricos , Departamentos Hospitalares , Hospitais Urbanos , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/normas , Eliminação de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Eliminação de Resíduos/métodos , Eliminação de Resíduos/normas , Eliminação de Resíduos/estatística & dados numéricos , Centro Cirúrgico HospitalarRESUMO
This case study analysed the impact of the global economy on the environment of the Vale do Rio do Sinos region in southern Brazil. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from social, cultural, economic and political agents in this region, and documents about the tanning industry were reviewed and analysed. Global perspectives and local conditions were brought together to understand the causes and consequences of social, political and economic structures and to evaluate the intrinsic association of the tanning industry with the social, historical and cultural development of the Vale do Rio dos Sinos. The behaviour of the local community, where individuals believe that progress is primordially based on industrial development and go to any lengths to achieve it, was also studied. The analysis of industries that have a high contamination potential revealed that dirty industries moved from central to peripheral countries up to the 1980s, but movement is currently internal and occurs between states in Brazil due to several types of incentives.
Este trabalho indaga os impactos da economia global para o meio ambiente na região do vale do rio dos Sinos, Brasil. É um estudo de caso que se apoiou em 32 entrevistas; 307 questionários, aplicados aos atores socioculturais, econômicos e políticos; além de observação e documentos, relacionados à indústria curtidora. A proposta consiste em aproximar o global ao local, percebendo as causas e consequências da estrutura social, política e econômica. Em relação à indústria de curtumes, veremos que a mesma está intrínseca no processo de formação sócio-histórico e cultural da comunidade do vale do rio dos Sinos. Por outro lado, essa sociedade acredita que o progresso tem sua base no desenvolvimento industrial, não medindo esforços para alcançá-lo. Perceberemos, também, um movimento de migração de indústrias com alto potencial de contaminação. Os dados apontam que, até a década de 80, o que víamos dos países de centro (principalmente Europa) deslocar suas indústrias sujas para os países de periferia; hoje, por muitos incentivos de ordens diversas, assinala-se essa migração internamente entre os estados do Brasil.
Assuntos
Humanos , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Internacionalidade , Eliminação de Resíduos , Rios/química , Curtume , Poluição Química da Água/análise , Brasil , Eliminação de Resíduos/economia , Eliminação de Resíduos/normasRESUMO
The final destination of medicine residues is a relevant subject to the public health due to the pharmacological properties of each medicine, that in future will become a residue and will need to be treated. In Brazil, the correct discard of the solid medicine residues is regulated by the Ministry of Health and also by the Ministry of Environment, that aim to provide the producers of medicine residues with instruments that enable them to correctly discard those residues. However, there are some obstacles that can only be overcome through the integration of all agents involved in this process. The purpose of this article is to make a critical survey of the legal instruments offered by the regulatory institutions, locating each agent and its responsibilities concerning the protection of public health and the environment.