Avaliação da contaminação por metais tóxicos na água potável fornecida à população de cidades da Baixada Santista

Abstract

The contamination of drinking water by toxic metals constitutes a significant public health issue, especially in the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista (RMBS), characterized by intense industrialization, unplanned urbanization, and a history of environmental degradation, which raises concerns about the population's exposure to toxic metals such as aluminum, chromium, manganese, lead, and other chemical elements. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of these toxic metals in the water supplied by the recently privatized utility to the populations of the municipalities of Cubatão, Santos, and São Vicente, through quantitative determination of drinking water distributed by the Cubatão Integrated System. The study contributes data for independent environmental monitoring for the Exposure and Environmental Risk Assessment Group at the Universidade Católica de Santos, as well as aims to protect public health in the region. Water samples were collected at 30 georeferenced points, strategically distributed in consumption areas, during two distinct periods (summer and winter). The samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a highly sensitive technique recognized as the gold standard by the World Health Organization, using certified reference materials and automated accessories to minimize potential contamination during sample handling. The results indicated the presence of some metals above the limits established by legislation, such as aluminum, in the neighborhoods of Santa Maria, Vila Nova, Japuí, and Parque das Bandeiras in the summer collection, and Jockey Club and Jardim Rio Branco in the winter collection. The remaining metals investigated were found below quantification limits or within legal parameters, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of the water consumed by the population of Baixada Santista, especially considering seasonal variations and changes in water management.