Resumo Em ETEs, o ataque ácido (associado ao ataque por sulfatos como consequência secundária) afeta a pasta de cimento formando etringita e/ou gipsita, provocando expansão, fissuração e friabilidade do material. Este mecanismo de degradação do concreto atinge, também, o C-S-H, reduzindo a capacidade portante e a vida útil da estrutura. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar resultados de uma inspeção de uma ETE em funcionamento há aproximadamente 15 anos, onde há visível degradação do concreto por ataque combinado de ácido e sulfato. A análise contempla resultados de amostra coletada em região imediatamente acima do nível do efluente, onde há maior concentração de bactérias, e de testemunho extraído da laje de cobertura do tanque de tratamento. A resistência à compressão do testemunho atende o valor especificado no projeto, apesar de ensaios de microscopia eletronica de varredura e difração de raios-X identificarem a formação de gipsita e etringita no interior do concreto.

Abstract At sewage treatment plants, acid attack (and sulfate attack as a secondary consequence) degrades the cement paste, forming ettringite and/or gypsum, causing expansion, cracking and brittleness. The degradation mechanism of concrete in sewage treatment plants also affects the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), reducing the mechanical capacity and service life. The aim of this paper is to present results of the inspection of a sewage treatment plant, which has been operating for about 15 years, where there is noticeable degradation of concrete by a combined acid and sulfate attack. The analysis includes results of a sample collected in the region immediately above the effluent, which had the highest concentration of bacteria and a specimen extracted from the treatment tank slab. Compressive strength of the specimen is consistent with the project, although scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction identified the formation of gypsum and ettringite within the concrete.

Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) reduces the activity of radioiodine required to treat multinodular goiter (MNG), but acute airway compression can be a life-threatening complication. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we assessed the efficacy and safety (including airway compression) of different doses of rhTSH associated with a fixed activity of 131I for treating MNG. Euthyroid patients with MNG (69.3 ± 62.0 mL, 20 females, 2 males, 64 ± 7 years) received 0.1 mg (group I, N = 8) or 0.01 mg (group II, N = 6) rhTSH or placebo (group III, N = 8), 24 h before 1.11 GBq 131I. Radioactive iodine uptake was determined at baseline and 24 h after rhTSH and thyroid volume (TV, baseline and 6 and 12 months after treatment) and tracheal cross-sectional area (TCA, baseline and 2, 7, 180, and 360 days after rhTSH) were determined by magnetic resonance; antithyroid antibodies and thyroid hormones were determined at frequent intervals. After 6 months, TV decreased significantly in groups I (28.5 ± 17.6%) and II (21.6 ± 17.8%), but not in group III (2.7 ± 15.3%). After 12 months, TV decreased significantly in groups I (36.7 ± 18.1%) and II (37.4 ± 27.1%), but not in group III (19.0 ± 24.3%). No significant changes in TCA were observed. T3 and free T4 increased transiently during the first month. After 12 months, 7 patients were hypothyroid (N = 3 in group I and N = 2 in groups II and III). rhTSH plus a 1.11-GBq fixed 131I activity did not cause acute or chronic changes in TCA. After 6 and 12 months, TV reduction was more pronounced among patients treated with rhTSH plus 131I.