The present study evaluated the microbiological risk for roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW), with Campylobacter as the pathogenic microorganism of reference, using a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). QMRA has been widely used as an alternative method for epidemiological assessment of human exposure to microorganisms that can cause diseases, through a four-step process: hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose–response assessment, and risk characterization. The results presented drinking as the water use with the highest median value for microbiological risk, with 3.4 × 10⁻⁴ disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per person per year (pppy), and bathing, food washing, hose irrigation and toilet flushing with median values of 6.5 × 10⁻⁷, 4.0 × 10⁻⁷, 2.1 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ DALYs pppy, respectively. Therefore, drinking would be the only water use that would require preliminary treatment for its safe use, considering the acceptable risk standards set by the World Health Organization for drinking water. However, with the adoption of a sanitary barrier and a simple point-of-use treatment system, it was observed that drinking rainwater would have a median microbiological risk of 2 × 10⁻⁶ DALYs pppy, enough to meet the safety criteria considering developing countries.

Brazil is one of the major agricultural producers and phosphorus consumers of the world. Phosphorus (P) management in the country has direct impacts in the global cycle of this resource. In this context, this study proposes a Phosphorus Flow Analysis for Brazil, using the Mass Flow Analysis method to create a conceptual model of major P flows and stocks at the country scale, considering the base year of 2013. A total of 10 processes and 46 flows were identified and quantified. Results showed that, for the year of study, Brazil had a P input of 1.7 × 10³ Gg P/year, mainly in the form of P-fertilizers, and a P output of 4.7 × 10² Gg P/year, mainly as grains exports. Agricultural soils were the main stock of P in the country. From the 2.6 × 10³ Gg P/year applied in arable soils, 40% remain in the soil, with other 40% leaving as crop products, and 16% being lost through erosion and runoff to the hydrosphere. P flow in the food actually consumed by the population was 1.8 × 10² Gg P/year, only 8% of total P-fertilizer inputs in agricultural soils. About 6.5 × 10² Gg P/year was lost to the environment. There were no significant flows of P reuse and recycling during the study year. Scarcity scenarios and opportunities for sustainable use of P are discussed, along with the main environmental impacts caused by phosphorus production and consumption in Brazil.

This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of two manufacturing scenarios for a camera housing: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) using polyamide 12 (PA-12) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining using aluminum, for a cradle-to-gate boundary. The selected impact categories were cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). The key findings indicate that the PA-12 PBF part outperformed the aluminum CNC machining one in terms of environmental and energy performance, showing a significant reduction of approximately 90% in equivalent carbon emissions and 84% in cumulative energy demand. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the PBF process was highly sensitive to changes in the proportion of virgin/recycled material for the printing process, variations in the life cycle inventory (LCI) data sources for PA-12 powder production, and changes in the transportation system for imported materials, as is the case for the main input in the process (PA-12 powder). Sensitivity analysis also showed less impact for the PBF camera housing even considering a lifespan of one-fifth that of the aluminum for the impact categories considered. However, it should be noted that this analysis did not include considerations for the usage and end-of-life phases, which may have significant contributions to the overall environmental impact.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the environmental viability of applying biosolids to soil as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers. Theoretical Framework: Agriculture is a sector with a continuous demand for nutrients. Food production requires appropriate soil conditions for crop growth. Brazilian soils have a high demand for fertilizers for correction, as they have low concentrations of phosphorus (P), an essential element for crop development. Sewage sludge is a continuously generated residue, rich in organic matter and nutrients that can be used in the form of biosolids for soil correction. However, the environmental performance of replacing synthetic fertilizers by biosolids must be evaluated. Method: A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted, as described in the NBR ISO 14040/44 standards, using the openLCA® software to evaluate the production and application of different P sources – biosolid and synthetic fertilizer – based on energy demand in megajoules (MJ) and carbon footprint in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2eq). Data collection was carried out through consultation with experts, literature, estimates, and the ecoinvent® inventory database version 3.6. Results and Discussion: The results of the energy demand and carbon footprint for 57 kg of P applied to agricultural soil from biosolids (8 241 MJ and 1 547 kg CO2eq) were lower than those for synthetic fertilizer and sludge disposal in a sanitary landfill (16 489 MJ and 9 490 kg CO2eq), representing an advantage for this biofertilizer. Research Implications: This research supports resource recovery from waste sources to promote sustainability in the production and use of nutrients. In this regard, integrating the sanitation and agricultural sectors is strategic for promoting a higher nutrient use efficiency in human activities. Originality/Value: This study contributes to quantifying the environmental viability of replacing synthetic fertilizers by biosolids, as in addition to providing the necessary nutrients for agricultural cultivation, they promote the environmentally appropriate disposal of sludge, adding value to the waste and reducing energy demand and carbon footprint.