Road traffic deaths in Brazil: rising trends in pedestrian and motorcycle occupant deaths

Objective: According to the World Health Organization, the global burden of road traffic mortality exceeds 1.27 million people annually; over 90 percent occur in low- and middle-income countries. Brazil's road traffic mortality rate of ～20 per 100,000 is significantly higher than nearby Chile or Argentina. To date, there has been very little information published on road traffic fatalities among vulnerable road users (VRUs) in Brazil. Methods: Road traffic fatality data from 2000 to 2008 were extracted from Brazil's Mortality Information System (SIM). Road traffic deaths were extracted using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) V-codes (V01-V89) and then subcategorized by VRU categories. Information was then disaggregated by gender, age, and region. Results: In 2008, 39,211 deaths due to road traffic injuries were recorded in Brazil, resulting in a crude mortality rate of 20.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. Pedestrian mortality averaged 5.46 deaths per 100,000 between 2000 and 2008. The mortality rate for elderly pedestrians (80+ years) is 20.1 per 100,000, over 10 times that of 0- to 9-year-olds. In the past decade, motorcycle occupant mortality has dramatically increased by over 300 percent from 1.5 per 100,000 in 2000 to 4.7 per 100,000 in 2008. The 20- to 29-year age group remains most affected by motorcycle deaths, with a peak fatality rate of 10.76 per 100,000 in 2008. The north and northeast regions, with the lower per capita gross domestic product (GDP), have higher proportions of VRU deaths compared with other regions. Conclusions: Vulnerable road users are contributing an increasing proportion of the road traffic fatalities in Brazil. Nationally, elderly pedestrians are at particularly high risk and motorcycle fatalities are increasing at a rapid rate. Less prosperous regions have higher proportions of VRU deaths. Understanding the epidemiology of road traffic mortality in vulnerable road user categories will better allow for targeted interventions to reduce these preventable deaths.     

Kinetics of thermal de-chlorination of PVC under pyrolytic conditions

Although PVC-containing wastes are an important potential source of energy they are frequently disposed in landfill. In thermal treatment processes such as pyrolysis and gasification, the presence of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a compound with 56.7% of chlorine, may cause problems concerned with environmental protection, as consequence of the formation of hydrochloric acid, chlorine gas and dioxins, as well as corrosion phenomena of the reactor/equipment materials. Thus, a possible solution may involve a previous removal of the chlorine from PVC containing waste through a pyrolysis process at low temperatures before the material being submitted to a subsequent thermal treatment, for energetic valorization. In this work, a kinetic model for the thermal decomposition of PVC has been developed, in view of its de-chlorination. DTA/TGA testing at different temperatures indicated a first order reaction and an activation energy of 133,800J/mol. An almost completed de-chlorination reaction was obtained at 340°C under an inert atmosphere. The resulted material is a C(n)H(n) type polymer with potential to be used in an energy recovery process. Validation test performed at laboratory scale indicate that the temperature of 340°C enables the removal of ～99.9% of the chlorine present in PVC. The chloride can be fixed in the form of an aqueous solution of HCl or calcium chloride, driving to an alternative full process with environmental benefits and reduction of the costs associated to the PCV - containing materials/wastes management.     

Applications of Cr-rich composted tannery sludge in the soil decrease microbial biomass and select specific bacterial groups

The tannery industries generate a solid waste known as tannery sludge, which is composed of organic and inorganic compounds, mainly chromium (Cr). When Cr is not removed from the tannery sludge, this solid waste is metal-rich and its application could affect the soil microorganisms. Alternatively, the composting of the tannery sludge can contribute to decreasing the concentration of Cr in the composted tannery sludge (CTS). However, in some cases, the concentration of Cr remains high in the CTS. During the last 10 years, the Cr-rich CTS has been successively applied in the soil, and its effect on soil microbial properties was verified. Here, we discuss the effect of successive applications of Cr-rich CTS on soil microbes. Interestingly, the findings have shown that successive applications of Cr-rich CTS selected specific soil microbial groups with potential functions. In addition, the studies added a new focus to further research evaluating the potential effect of successive applications of Cr-rich CTS on the rare microbial community.

     

Photodegradation of Diquat and Paraquat in aqueous solutions by titanium dioxide: evolution of degradation reactions and characterisation of intermediates

The titanium dioxide assisted photodegradation of Diquat and Paraquat herbicides solutions has been the subject of the present investigation, considering its direct application in the treatment of contaminated waters and soils. To have a better understanding of the photodegradation process, different types of TiO2, commercial and 'home prepared' Ti(1-x)FexO2 (x = 0% and 4%), were used as catalysts, using an UV light as radiation source. The degradation reactions were followed by UV spectroscopy and the intermediates and reaction products were characterised by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESIMS) combined with collision-induced dissociation (CID) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The present study shows that, for photocatalytic degradation of Diquat and Paraquat solutions, a basic pH can be determinant, as well as the type of catalyst. The type of catalyst can also strongly influence the degradation pattern of the herbicide. Regarding complete degradation, we were able to show that Diquat is more persistent than Paraquat. During the photocatalytic processes, several intermediate and reaction products are sequentially formed, to which structures are proposed.     

A tubular ceramic membrane coated with TiO2-P25 for radial addition of H2O2 towards AMX removal from synthetic solutions and secondary urban wastewater

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This work aims to integrate several hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activation mechanisms, photolysis (UVC irradiation), chemical electron transfer (TiO2-P25...     

Investigation of two new low-cost adsorbents functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles for the efficient removal of triclosan and a synthetic mixture

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Triclosan (TCS) is widely used in the production of antibacterial products, being often found in wastewater. Therefore, this study developed new...     

Nanotechnology-based controlled release of sustainable fertilizers. A review

The rising population is increasing food demand, yet actual crop production is limited by the poor efficiency of classical fertilizers. In particular, only about 40–60% of fertilizer nitrogen, 15–20% of phosphorus and 50–60% of potassium are used by crop plants, the rest ending polluting the environment. Nanofertilizers are promising alternatives. Here, we review plant nutrients, synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles, encapsulation of nanoparticles in fertilizers, and effect on plants.