CEMITÉRIOS COMO VETORES DE CONTAMINAÇÃO: O PAPEL DO NECROCHORUME NA RESISTÊNCIA ANTIMICROBIANA

Cemeteries, traditionally conceived as spaces of memory and culture, have emerged as potential vectors of environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance dissemination. Necroleachate, the liquid resulting from cadaveric decomposition, contains heavy metals, organic compounds, and pathogenic microorganisms, creating a complex environment that favors the persistence and spread of resistance genes. This work presents a narrative literature review focused on cemeteries as reservoirs of chemical and biological contaminants. Evidence from Brazilian and international studies demonstrates concentrations of cadmium, chromium, and nickel above legal limits, highlighting the role of heavy metals as co-selectors of antimicrobial resistance. The simultaneous presence of pollutants and resistant microorganisms reinforces the need to address cemeteries under the One Health perspective, considering integrated risks to human, animal, and environmental health. The study emphasizes the urgency of public policies, systematic monitoring, and sustainable funeral alternatives, such as cremation, biodegradable urns, and hydrogeological planning, to mitigate necroleachate impacts and limit the expansion of antimicrobial resistance.