Abstract
This study evaluated the quality of water consumed by schoolchildren in the city of Uberaba, relying upon chemical analyzes to determine the levels of free-residual chlorine and levels of chromium, copper, manganese, lead and cadmium. Microbiological analysis was also performed in order to determine total coliforms and Escherichia coli, using the values established by Ordinance n0. 2914 of 2011 of the Ministry of Health as parameters for safe drinking water. Water samples were analyzed from the drinking fountains and kitchen faucets of eight public schools that serve children aged 0-5 years. Sampling was conducted quarterly from December 2011 to September 2012, resulting in four collections. The results revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and total coliforms above the valued permitted by legislation in more than 50% of the samples. It was also observed that concentrations of free-residual chlorine were below the minimum value required by law in nearly half of the samples analyzed. In relation to the concentration of metals, some samples had water contents of copper, cadmium, chromium, manganese and lead above the permissible levels. Statistical tests revealed that when analyzing the period of sampling, only the values for the concentrations of free-residual chlorine, chromium and lead showed no significant difference (p> 0.05). The results show the need for corrective actions at the water supply point for the school population, in addition to monitoring and controlling the quality of water for human consumption.
Highlights
Drinking water is vital to the survival of all living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems, communities and economies
The results obtained in this study revealed that 100% of the water samples collected in water fountains and kitchen faucets conformed to the standards required by Ordinance no. 2914 of 2011 of the Ministry of Health, 2.0 mg L-1, for free residual chlorine variable (Brasil, 2011)
This study examined the levels of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) present in the water samples analyzed
Summary
Drinking water is vital to the survival of all living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems, communities and economies. In the last decade, water quality worldwide is being threatened due to population increases, agricultural and industrial activities (Khan et al, 2013; Baird, 2002). These changes resulted in climate change, directly affecting the global hydrological cycle. According to the World Health Organization - WHO, at present, 1.2 billion people do not have drinking water, and 80% of diseases and 30% of deaths worldwide are caused by contaminated water (Hênio, 2011). As a result of poor water quality, the study by the UN shows that at least 1.8 billion children under five years old have died to date (Giraldi, 2010)
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