Cemetery leachate generated by the process of cadaveric decomposition is a significant contaminant of several matrices in the cemetery environment (soil, groundwater, and surface water). The biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine stand out among the cemetery leachate contaminants, since they are potentially carcinogenic compounds. This review article presents a discussion of possible environmental impacts caused by the increase in deaths resulting from COVID-19 as its central theme. The study also aims to demonstrate the importance of considering, in this context, some climatic factors that can alter both the time of bodily decomposition and the longevity of the virus in the environment. Additionally, some evidence for the transmission of the virus to health professionals and family members after the patient’s death and environmental contamination after the burial of the bodies will also be presented. Several sources were consulted, such as scientific electronic databases (NCBI), publications by government agencies (e.g., ARPEN, Brazil) and internationally recognized health and environmental agencies (e.g., WHO, OurWorldInData.org), as well as information published on reliable websites available for free (e.g., CNN) and scientific journals related to the topic. The data from this study sounds the alarm on the fact that an increase in the number of deaths from the complications of COVID-19 has generated serious environmental problems, resulting from Cemetery leachate.

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Cemeteries are among the most polluting sources of groundwater and surface water in the world. Necro-leachate, a liquid released during the putrefaction of corpses, is the main culprit of such pollution. Among the compounds in this liquid are the potentially toxic amines cadaverine and putrescine, which are still poorly understood in terms of the environmental health risks they pose. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of cadaverine and putrescine, using efficient contamination bioindicators of aquatic environments. Danio rerio and Daphnia magna were exposed to both amines individually or in a mixture. Acute toxicity (LC50) was then observed in both organisms after exposure to the amines individually. Cadaverine showed higher lethality for D. magna (LC50 – 9.5 mg. L-1) and D. rerio (LC50 - 335.5 mg. L-1) than did putrescine (LC50 - 36.7 mg. L-1 and LC50- 452.6 mg. L-1, respectively). In embryotoxicity tests with D. rerio (hatching rate and malformations), delayed hatching, vertebral column malformations, and pericardial edema were observed after exposure to an amine mixture. However, co-exposure to cadaverine and putrescine was not toxic to D. magna. The results of this study confirmed the efficiency of the bioindicators used to assess contaminants in cemeteries and raised awareness of the toxic potential of cadaveric decomposition by-products.

Rizobactérias nativas da Caatinga com potencial para redução dos efeitos da seca em soja (Glycine max L.)

Among the compounds present in necro-leachate, a liquid released during the process of decomposition of the human body, are the biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine. Although some studies on necro-leachate have indicated a potential ecotoxicological and public health risk associated with it, the research on this type of contamination is still rather limited. This study presents information about the phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic potential of cadaverine and putrescine, evaluated separately and within a mixture. Phytotoxicity was evaluated through a germination test, the initial growth of seedlings with Lactuca sativa, and cytogenotoxicity through chromosomal aberration and micronucleus tests with Allium cepa. The L. sativa results showed a phytotoxic effect for the evaluated amines, by reducing root (>90%) and hypocotyl (>80%) elongation. The co-exposure of cadaverine and putrescine potentiated cytogenotoxic activity by aneugenic action in the meristematic cells of A. cepa. From this result, it is possible to infer the eco-toxicogenic potential of cadaverine and putrescine amines and to emphasize the importance of further research in order to assess the risks of contamination generated in cemetery environments.