Well-defined locations of pemphigus cases support the hypothesis of environmental factors' involvement in its etiopathogenesis; however, these foci have never been described using specialized geographical tools. This is the first report to geo-reference pemphigus cases in a high-prevalence Brazilian region using geographic information systems. We aimed to report the spatio-temporal behavior of pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and vulgaris (PV) in southeastern Brazil, over the last five decades to describe geographical clusters, as well as to characterize the land use in the city with the highest number of cases. Patients were identified from 1965 to 2014. Maps were developed using ArcGIS software and organized into decades from 1965 to 2014. Ribeirão Preto was identified as the city with the greatest number of cases. Land use was analyzed within a 2 km-buffer surrounding the residence of each patient. A total of 426 cases of pemphigus were identified. PF was the predominant form (285 cases); notwithstanding, the number of new cases of PV rose, overtaking the number of new cases of PF in the last decade studied. Agricultural area (42%) and exposed soil (33.2%) are the most predominant land uses in Ribeirão Preto surrounding patients' residences. This study shows high-confidence geographical foci of PF and PV, as well as provides evidence of an increase of both clinical forms over the last five decades. All cases of PV and PF are in proximity to rivers and agricultural areas which reinforce the hypothesis that environmental factors play a role in pemphigus etiopathogenesis.

Mixture of metals and herbicides in rivers may pose relevant risks for the health of surrounding communities. Humans may be exposed to river pollution through intake of contaminated water and fish, as well as irrigated agricultural products. The aim of this study was to assess the human health risks of environmental exposure to metals and herbicides through water and fish intake in the Pardo River. Metals (Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Tl, Sn, V, and Zn) were analyzed in river water and in edible fish. Herbicides (ametryn, atrazine, diuron, hexazinone, simazine, and tebuthiuron) were analyzed in river water. Seasonal variances were also studied. Aluminum, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn levels in river water were higher than the USEPA benchmarks. Non-carcinogenic risks due to pollutants mixture exposure were above the limit, and carcinogenic risks of As exposure were >10 in the sampling points during the rainy season. Metal levels in fish were lower than the Brazilian legislation and do not pose a threat to public health. Herbicides were detected in four sampling points, with atrazine concentrations (range 0.16-0.32 μg/L) below the Brazilian standard (2.0 μg/L), but above the European Union standard (0.1 μg/L). Considering the water supply needs of cities located in the Pardo River Basin and the persistence of metals and herbicides, the present study indicated that there was a seasonal influence on non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to human health, especially in the rainy season. Studies for water treatment plants implantation should consider the risks of exposure to persistent substances, in order to protect the population.

The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn were determined in breast milk of women living in Conceição das Alagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The potential relationships between metal levels in samples of breast milk, drinking water, and soils collected in the study area were also established. Metal levels in breast milk, except Cr, were lower in comparison to WHO reference concentrations. Zinc was the predominant element in breast milk and drinking water samples, with a median level of 46.2 and 82.2 μg · L(-1), respectively. Soils presented a different pattern of metal concentrations with respect to those found in breast milk and drinking water, Chromium showed the highest median levels (148 mg · kg(-1)), while a certain predominance of Zn and Cu was also observed (47.0 and 43.0 mg · kg(-1), respectively). Similar profiles were observed when comparing metal concentrations in drinking water and breast milk (chi-square χ(2) = 14.36; p < 0.05). In contrast, breast milk-soil and drinking water-soil metal concentration profiles showed significant differences (χ(2) = 635.05 and χ(2) = 721.78, respectively; p < 0.05). These results indicate that drinking water is an important exposure pathway for metals to newborns through breast milk. Further studies should be aimed at assessing the body burdens of metals in that population and at evaluating the potential relationships in the concentrations in biological and environmental matrices as well as at estimating the contribution of dietary intake of metals. In addition, the presence of other chemical pollutants in breast milk should be also studied in order to assess the combined newborn exposure to other contaminants.

No abstract

RESUMOO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as condições fisico-químicas e microbiológicas do Córrego do Tanquinho, localizado em área altamente urbanizada e industrializada no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, considerando variações espaciais e temporais. Os parâmetros limnológicos avaliados foram: pH, temperatura, turbidez, condutividade e oxigênio dissolvido (OD), com medições realizadas in situ. Os níveis de metais no sedimento e em água superficial foram analisados por Espectrofotometria de Absorção Atômica. Para a determinação dos Coliformes Totais e Escherichia coli foi empregada a técnica dos Tubos Múltiplos com utilização de substrato cromogênico. Os parâmetros OD, E. coli e a concentração dos metais Cu e Mn na água encontram-se em desacordo com a legislação. Os metais encontrados em maior concentração no sedimento foram Mn, Cr e Zn. A avaliação microbiológica evidenciou o despejo de esgoto doméstico no córrego e as concentrações de metais indicam a possível ocorrência de efluentes industriais, podendo gerar graves problemas de saúde pública. O diagnóstico espacial indicou os locais de amostragem com as piores condições microbiológicas e altas concentrações de metais, enquanto que a influência temporal foi observada no pH, Mn e Cr em água superficial, e Mn, Cr e Pb nos sedimentos. Os resultados mostraram que o Córrego do Tanquinho é um corpo hídrico impactado. Recomenda-se a realização de outros estudos que possam esclarecer melhor a origem das cargas poluidoras, além da conscientização da população e da adoção de medidas que possibilitem a recuperação e proteção desse corpo hídrico.Palavras-chave: água superficial, E. coli, metais, parâmetros limnológicos, sedimento.