In order to estimate air quality at work environments from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we determined both the concentration of particulate matter (PM and PM) and the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as the heavy metals in the composition of the particulate matter. Three SMEs located in the city of La Plata, Argentina, were selected: an electromechanical repair and car painting center (ERCP), a sewing work room (SWR), and a chemical analysis laboratory (CAL). The results evidenced high levels of PM exceeding the limits allowed by the USEPA and the presence of benzo(k)fluoranthene in all the analyzed sites and benzo(a)pyrene in the most contaminated site (ERCP). Regarding metals, the presence of Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Mn, mainly in the fraction of PM, in the same workplace was found. As far as risk assessment at all the workplaces surveyed is concerned, risk values for contracting cancer throughout life for exposed workers (LCR) did not comply with the parameters either of USEPA or of WHO (World Health Organization).
Levels established in water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life are based on the total concentrations of heavy metals regardless of speciation. However, there are numerous studies that show the importance of determining both the physicochemical characterisation of water body and the total concentration of heavy metals in them, including its chemical speciation, given its specific correlation with the bioavailability. In this regard, the objective of this study is to quantify concentrations of heavy metals in Los Patos lagoon, Argentina, and to show the utility of estimating with Visual Minteq software the fractions in which these metals are forming aqueous inorganic species or complexed with organic matter. The results demonstrate the relevance of using speciation calculations of metal cations, particularly when their concentrations are in the order of guide levels.
Objetivo general de la tesis: Determinar las características microbiológicas y físico-químicas de cuerpos de agua superficiales de zonas urbanas y periurbanas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires expuestos a contaminación por basurales, descargas de aguas residuales y/o de efluentes industriales; y su relación con enfermedades hídricas y condiciones socioeconómicas y ambientales de la población. Objetivos particulares: - Seleccionar la/s cuenca/s a estudiar en función de la información obtenida y su accesibilidad. - Relevar la información existente referida a las características microbiológicas y físico-químicas de cuerpos de agua superficiales de los arroyos bonaerenses seleccionados y de fuentes puntuales de contaminación asociadas. - Determinar cualitativa y cuantitativamente los microorganismos indicadores y los agentes patógenos asociados a enfermedades hídricas, presentes en los cuerpos de agua seleccionados, de acuerdo con metodologías estandarizadas internacionales. - Estudiar posibles relaciones entre los resultados obtenidos y enfermedades asociadas, de manera general a partir de la bibliografía especializada. - Aplicar de índices de calidad y contaminación del agua. Análisis de sensibilidad de la incidencia de los distintos parámetros en el valor final del índice para su uso en estudios regionales. - Evaluar los resultados obtenidos considerando el contexto social, económico y cultural del área de estudio.
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