Human health risk quantification from exposure to chemical pollutants and carcinogenic potential to communities adjacent to the Pardo River, Brazil

Author(s)

Carolina Sampaio Machado

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2016-12-07

Examining board members

Susana Segura Muñoz; Bruno Spinosa de Martinis; Cristina Filomêna Pereira Rosa Paschoalato; Ana Paula Milla dos Santos

• Advisor: Susana Segura Muñoz; Martí Nadal Lomas

Abstract

Chemical compounds of natural and artificial origin are incorporated to human body in different ways, they are ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. This study aims to quantify the risk to human health from exposure to pesticides and metals detected in Pardo River, Brazil. Data collection campaigns were conducted in 6 points along the Pardo River during rainy and dry periods between 2014 and 2015. Three fish specimens from Pardo River were acquired with fishermen and three specimens were acquired on a Ribeirão Preto, SP, market. The organochlorine insecticides analyzed were pp\'-DDE, pp\'-TDE, pp\'-DDT, ?-BHC, ?-BHC, ?-BHC, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, ?-endosulfan, ?-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate. Herbicides quantified in the water were ametrin, atrazine, deethylatrazine, diuron, hexazinone, metribuzin, simazine and tebuthiuron. Metals quantified in water, sediment and fish were Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Tl, Sn, V and Zn. Passive sampling was performed with DGT method, for the bioavailable fraction quantification of metals in water. The risk assessment through the exposure to metals and herbicides were considering the residential scenario. DDT and DDD metabolites were detected at levels below to the limits permitted by international thresholds. Herbicides were detected in five of the six sampling points analyzed in the Pardo River, and for atrazine concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 0.32 µg/L, above the levels allowed by the European Union (0.1 µg/L). Metal analyses in water indicated that Al, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn showed concentrations above the limits recommended by Brazilian legislation. The water pH ranged from 5.7 to 7.8. The levels of some metals in sediments were higher in sampling point #1, suggesting punctual source of pollution, probably related to contaminated tributary. The determination of metals in fish indicated that P. glauca showed concentrations above the limits established by Brazilian legislation (7.23 µg/L). Non-carcinogenic risk assessment for water intake indicated that the herbicide levels did not represent risk. For metals, all sampling points both rainy and dry season showed HI>1, and the metal that contributed to the results was Al. The evaluation of carcinogenic risk indicated that all of the six sampling points assessed were above the levels considered acceptable (<10-6 ) during the rainy season. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment associated with fish intake indicated that the species Salmo spp. and P. glauca showed HIs above to the levels considered safe. Carcinogenic risk associated to fish intake indicate that the species P. glauca, Salmo spp. and S. brasiliensis represented potential carcinogenic risk. The PCA showed that 94.3% of the data variation was explained by five main components. Contaminations determined in the Pardo River indicate that measures should be taken by the competent authorities in order to minimize the human health risks (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/03858-6 - Human health risk quantification for multiple exposure routes to chemical pollutants and carcinogenic potential for adjacent communities of the Pardo river, Brazil
• Grantee: Carolina Sampaio Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate