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Research on microplastics in Latin America is limited compared to a global perspective. Brazil plays a significant role in this context, as it possesses 12% of the world's freshwater reserves, constituting 53% of South America's water resources. There has been growing concern regarding the plastic pollution of the country's freshwater systems in recent years. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of plastic pollution on the Guaíba River, a significant watercourse in the southern region of Brazil that is subjected to high anthropogenic pressure. Additionally, we examined correlations between the presence of microplastics and key factors influencing their distribution in the river. Thus, freshwater was collected in seven sampling campaigns from 2019 to 2020, totaling 66 samples. The microplastics were quantified and characterized according to their color, shape, and polymeric composition. The concentration of microplastics varied between 2.9 and 53.8 items m−3, and the distribution and transport were positively influenced by the population density, precipitations, and depth of each sampling point. White-transparent color category (51%) and fragment shape (89%) were predominant among the found particles. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) represented 37% and 57% of the analyzed particles. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis indicated that similar contamination sources, such as domestic sewage, could influence three out of ten sampled points. Several microplastics presented the formation of cracks, with sizes smaller than 10 μm on their surface, which might indicate an erosion process, resulting in the formation of nanoplastics. The color fading observed in microplastics suggests that the particles were subjected to environmental stressors, leading to the leaching or degradation of the dye on the plastic. The results confirmed the ubiquity of microplastics in Guaíba River, highlighting the importance of improving the regulations on plastic waste disposal in the country to prevent the contamination of freshwater bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of use of analgesics in Brazil; and to characterize this use, according to sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study (National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines, PNAUM) was conducted between September 2013 and February 2014. A total of 41,433 people of all ages in Brazilian urban households were interviewed. Occasional use (within the last 15 days) and continuous use of non-opioid analgesics, opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were investigated, regardless of whether this use occurred through prescription or self-medication. The main outcome was the use of at least one analgesic. Results: The majority of the individuals were female (52.8%), aged between 20 and 59 years (57.2%), with 1 to 8 years of schooling (45.6%). The overall prevalence of analgesic use was 22.8% [95% CI: 21.4–24.2]. The use of analgesics was significantly higher among women, adults and elderly (20 years or more), highly educated individuals and respondents who referred: diagnosis of one or more chronic diseases, using three or more medications, possession of health insurance and with one or more emergency care admittances or hospitalizations within the last year. Non-opioid analgesics were the agents most used (18.5% of the sample), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (6.9%) and opioid analgesics (0.5%). The most commonly used drugs were metamizole (37.8% of all analgesics), paracetamol (25.3%) and diclofenac (10.7%). These drugs were used mainly to manage occasional health conditions, particularly pain. Conclusion: One in five Brazilians used some analgesic, especially non-opioid analgesics, to manage acute health problems such as painful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular and sharing economy (C&SE) strategies in the building sector offer significant potential for climate mitigation but they remain underexploited. This editorial introduces nine papers of the Virtual Special Issue (VSI) Climate Mitigation from Circular and Sharing Economy in the Buildings Sector that cover a range of related topics. Three of the papers focus on concrete, including modelling current and future quantities, and assessing the impacts of reuse and recycling. Four of the papers focus on waste recovery, including construction waste, wood waste for bio-concrete, urban mining (350 components) and building facades. The papers use a broad set of quantitative and qualitative methods, with a predominance of life cycle approaches but also building models, material flows, scenarios, surveys and interviews. The geographic scope of the studies covers Europe, North and South America. Together the papers provide further insights on the utilization of a series of C&SE strategies as climate mitigation solutions. Significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are demonstrated for utilising waste wood in bio-concrete, sharing offices, urban farming and recycling building facades. Recovery of C&DW is shown economically possible and environmentally beneficial. Urban mining could move beyond concrete and metals, with 350 components identified as being economically suitable for reuse or recycling. The papers highlight the need for accurate modelling of material and building stocks to enable effective planning. In addition, robust assessment methodologies such as life cycle assessment are necessary to capture the full benefits and potential trade-offs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]