1
|
Gonçalves LR, Roberto MM, Braga APA, Barozzi GB, Canizela GS, de Souza Gigeck L, de Souza LR, Marin-Morales MA. Another casualty of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic-the environmental impact. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:1696-1711. [PMID: 34689297 PMCID: PMC8542190 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Rocha Gonçalves
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil.
| | - Matheus Mantuanelli Roberto
- Hermínio Ometto Foundation's University Center (FHO), Av. Dr. Maximiliano Baruto, 500 - Jardim Universitário, Araras, SP, CEP: 13607-339, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Andrade Braga
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Bertoletti Barozzi
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Segati Canizela
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia de Souza Gigeck
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Letícia Rosa de Souza
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida Marin-Morales
- Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, CEP: 13506-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shemie SD. Clarifying the paradigm for the ethics of donation and transplantation: was 'dead' really so clear before organ donation? Philos Ethics Humanit Med 2007; 2:18. [PMID: 17718918 PMCID: PMC2048971 DOI: 10.1186/1747-5341-2-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2007] [Accepted: 08/24/2007] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent commentaries by Verheijde et al, Evans and Potts suggesting that donation after cardiac death practices routinely violate the dead donor rule are based on flawed presumptions. Cell biology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, critical care life support technologies, donation and transplantation continue to inform concepts of life and death. The impact of oxygen deprivation to cells, organs and the brain is discussed in relation to death as a biological transition. In the face of advancing organ support and replacement technologies, the reversibility of cardiac arrest is now purely related to the context in which it occurs, in association to the availability and application of support systems to maintain oxygenated circulation. The 'complete and irreversible' lexicon commonly used in death discussions and legal statutes are ambiguous, indefinable and should be replaced by accurate terms. Criticism of controlled DCD on the basis of violating the dead donor rule, where autoresuscitation has not been described beyond 2 minutes, in which life support is withdrawn and CPR is not provided, is not valid. However, any post mortem intervention that re-establishes brain blood flow should be prohibited. In comparison to traditional practice, organ donation has forced the clarification of the diagnostic criteria for death and improved the rigour of the determinations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam D Shemie
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Extracorporeal Life Support Program, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|