Dados do Trabalho

Título

PARTICIPATORY MONITORING OF THE QUALITY OF WATER USED IN FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION

Introdução

Several approaches are employed to monitor the quality of water used for food, with participatory monitoring being one of the main strategies. This method involves the community in collecting data, which can be used by authorities to check water quality and implement environmental education strategies. Raising awareness among the local population about the importance of monitoring the quality of water used for consumption and food preparation is crucial for the health and well-being of the community.

Material e Métodos

The "Young Educates Young" project seeks to bring young people closer to environmental issues. Using the "AQUA" cell phone application, developed by the project, which combines detection and georeferencing, and miniaturized colorimetric kits to identify nitrite, organic matter, orthophosphate, ammonia and iron, the project aims to establish a participatory water quality monitoring network in residences, as well as rivers and bodies of water close to educational institutions. This objective is achieved through the use of the application and the engagement of students and teachers in the monitoring process.

Resultados e Discussão

The project was presented to high school students on November 21, 2022, at Colégio Estadual Cataratas do Iguaçu, and between May 17 and 23, 2023, a workshop entitled on Rio Boicy, both in Foz do Iguaçu/PR, was held.

Conclusão

The "AQUA" application stores all georeferenced data in the cloud, in a public database accessible to other researchers and interested entities. The application can be downloaded and installed directly through Google Play, increasing young people's engagement. Additionally, the project developed an image capture box, a low-cost device that allows for various analyses. Its use is simple: just add the sample to the measured tube, turn on the LED light in the box and position the tube in the holder. You can then access the "AQUA" application on your smartphone to capture the images. The project also provides a web page with all standard operating procedures (SOPs), demonstration videos and extensive documentation. These tools facilitate access and understanding of the methodologies used, promoting continuous learning and expanding the project's positive impact on the analysis of water used in food and food production.