Unicamp, through the Chemistry Institute (IQ), hosts this Thursday and Friday (6th and 7th) the UNESCO Regional Training Workshop on Emerging Pollutants in Water Resources in Latin America and the Caribbean, an event that aims to train researchers and decision makers with a view to managing emerging pollutants that contaminate water resources. Among these compounds, which are not removed from water by conventional treatment systems, are pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene products, pesticides and microplastics, which can be highly harmful to the environment and human health. O Unicamp website heard Professor Cassiana Montagner, IQ professor and organizer of the workshop, and Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa, representative of UNESCO. In the following interview, the two talk about the challenges related to facing the risks presented by these contaminants.
Are emerging pollutants a global problem or are they more harmful to developing countries?
Cassiana Montagner -It is a global problem, but developing countries, such as those located in Latin America and the Caribbean, have their particularities.
So much so that this workshop is being held in the context of a program aimed at developing countries. The event was previously held in three other regions, and now here, in Brazil. Unicamp was chosen to host the meeting because of its history of research on the topic, which was started 15 years ago by professor Wilson Jardim. This choice is a recognition of our work, but it also demonstrates the importance of this issue today.
The research carried out at IQ has offered support for the formulation of public policies in the area, right?
Cassiana Montagner - Much of our research has served as a reference for water utilities, which have sought to improve their treatment systems. Research centers are being built thanks to this collaboration. Our studies have also supported actions by the Public Ministry and discussions around the review of the ordinance that deals with water potability. These contributions are as important as the articles we publish because they bring positive consequences for society.
Does Brazil have sufficient knowledge and technology to identify and remove these emerging pollutants from water?
Cassiana Montagner - Brazil is not behind what has been done at a global level. The challenges we face are the same as the rest of the world. Brazil has the technology to advance this line of research, both in relation to detection and treatment. Obviously, we have the particularity of having more precarious basic sanitation and a relatively high consumption standard. However, we have technology to deal with the issue within the scope of science.
Is there a class of emerging pollutants that is most concerning?
Cassiana Montagner – When we talk about the most worrying pollutants, we are talking about those to which we are most exposed or those that have the capacity to cause greater harmful effects. Thus, we can mention pharmaceuticals, drugs, pesticides, etc. Something new for Brazil, but not so new in international terms, are microplastics. We also have compounds of industrial origin that we use at home. I think the challenge for the coming years would be to list the priority pollutants for our reality. With this, we would act focused on what concerns Brazil most, which would help in conducting the regulatory process and decision-making.
Is it possible to provide an overview of the issue of contaminants in Latin America and the Caribbean?
Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa - The problem with emerging contaminants is evident in developing countries, mainly because sewage treatment systems are not sufficient. Countries only carry out secondary treatment, which is not enough to remove these contaminants. In Latin America we have many multinationals that produce many compounds. This makes it more difficult and exposes these pollutants to the environment and water reservoirs, such as pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene products, and pesticides, etc.
Does science have evidence about the damage that emerging pollutants can cause to nature and human health?
Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa- There is currently not much direct evidence of the risks to human health. Although it is bringing interesting results, this line of research is still very new. What has been very well reported in the literature are the consequences in animals, such as fish and aquatic organisms, which are very serious. Animal evidence has allowed correlations with human health. Today there are many studies that analyze the mixture of substances in water bodies, in order to identify the effects of this combination on the health of animals.
What are the roles of public policies and citizens in facing this problem?
Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa- Public policy action is important to promote the regulation of emerging pollutants. UNESCO's work is to set up working groups to reinforce the importance of this policy, as well as bring indicators that can facilitate the regulatory process in countries that have the same contamination situation. The population, in turn, has an important role in this context, which is to reduce the contribution of these contaminants into the environment. Disposing of medicines in appropriate places [returning them to pharmacies] and not throwing them in the toilet or in the general trash is a great action. Choosing personal hygiene products that contain fewer contaminants is also a welcome move. The conscious use and disposal of plastics are also initiatives that can help to significantly reduce the concentration of pollutants in the environment.
