Monitoramento e avaliação dos riscos causados por diclofenaco em efluentes e água de abastecimento de um município da região metropolitana de São Paulo

Abstract

Diclofenac and its metabolites are frequently reported in the literature and have already been detected in surface water from several countries, such as Germany, Sweden, Greece, Taiwan, Switzerland and Spain. Their damage to the environment to human health is causing concern, as they can increase bacterial resistance, feminization of fish and reduction of human sperm production, etc. Thus, this work aimed at monitoring the presence of diclofenac in drinking water and effluent in a city in the Greater São Paulo Region, evaluating the risks of soil contamination, aquatic environments and human health. A questionnaire was developed in order to measure the level of population knowledge about the impacts caused by the irregular disposal of diclofenac. During the application of the questionnaires were collected water supply samples. Samples of sanitary sewage effluents were also collected in the ETEs exit channel of the same city. Analyzes were performed by UV/vis spectrophotometry using potassium permanganate as to oxidize diclofenac in acidic medium. A risk matrix has been developed to verify what danger situation the city is in. The results presented in the tabulation of the questionnaire data showed that 72% of the interviewees practiced incorrect disposal of the drugs (garbage, toilet and sink). And, the analyzes in the samples detected the presence of diclofenac in effluent water (5.0 mg.L-1) and in the supply water (between 2.5 and 3.1 mg.L-1). This may be a consequence of these incorrect discards. In this way, the risk analysis showed that under current conditions the water bodies can lead to catastrophic or serious consequences with very high probability of occurrence of resistant bacteria, death of aquatic species, anticipated hatching of animal eggs, cell mutation and liver inflammation In animals and delayed growth and decreased reproduction due to sperm reduction in humans. Thus, this work was able to identify the presence of diclofenac in samples of water supply and sanitary effluent; Serving as an alert for Public Bodies to make decisions in order to minimize their effects on the environment and the human being.