The main goal of health care units is patient care. During this process, water, energy, and different

In general, areas used for waste disposal represent potential foci of environmental pollution, as they can contaminate the surrounding environment and negatively impact the health of the populations living nearby. This study reports on results obtained in the analysis of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the leachate and other environmental compartments (ground and subsoil waters, soil, and sediments) of an area under the influence of the Morro do Céu Landfill Dump, located in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Quality of water compartments in the area was evaluated using other physical/chemical and microbiological complementary parameters such as COD, BOD, pH, colimetry, etc. Results showed that most of the metals are retained by the soil and sediments. The local waters (surface and subsoil) are contaminated by coliform, while the surface water, the Mata-Paca River, showed high levels of COD (5.200 mg/l), BOD (2.800 mg/l), Fe (6.4 mg/l), Mn (2.4 mg/l), Ni (0.12 mg/l), and Zn (0.23 mg/l).

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Problems related to contaminated sites are increasing in Brazil. These sites can be represented by gas station, waste disposal areas, abandoned industrial facilities, etc. and in general are located in the neighborhood of important ecosystems, being cause of negative impacts. Evaluation of contaminated sites in Brazil has been done using only chemical parameters, without ecotoxicological studies. The aim of this study was initiate preliminary tests according to the draft of ISO that describes an avoidance test used to assess soil quality and toxicity from chemical to Eisenia fetida (earthworm). This test can be applied as a rapid screening test to determinate the bioavailability of chemicals or contaminants in soil to E. fetida, where the avoidance behaviour is used as indicator. In accordance to the results, it can be decided if reproduction test with the same species must be performed. Samples from contaminated sites with different hydrocarbons concentrations collected from a bus garage, a gas station and a contaminated oil spilling area were analysed. The results of the sample from the bus station showed that 96% of the organisms escaped from the contaminated sample section to the control soil section. This indicates that the sample can be considered toxic, presenting the habitat function limited. The toxicity of this sample was confirmed later by mortality and reproduction tests. The preliminary results indicated that avoidance test was a rapid indicator of sample toxicity and can be applied as a complement to evaluate hydrocarbons contaminated sites.

Proper solid waste disposal is important to avoid human and environmental contamination. The NBR 10,004 Waste Classification lists several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and indicates that the presence of at least one PAH in a waste sample is enough to classify it as hazardous. The aim of this study was a preliminary evaluation of PAHs in solid waste samples from selected industries to obtain a preliminary overview of their potential for contamination in case of improper disposal. One or more PAHs listed in NBR 10,004 (benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, indene[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, chrysene, or fluoranthene) were found in all samples, thus leading to their classification as hazardous waste. Our results showed that toxicologically relevant PAHs were found in all the samples, indicating that their final disposal must be performed in appropriate areas in order to minimize human health risks and environmental contamination from waste disposal areas.