Célia Regina Pesquero

Dioxinas e furanos: origens e riscos

Apresenta-se uma atualizacao bibliografica com o objetivo de relatar a origem e os riscos a saude publica das dioxinas e furanos e possibilitar o conhecimento de algumas areas de pesquisa sobre esses compostos. Foram selecionadas 16 referencias bibliograficas, cobrindo aproximadamente doze anos (1986 a 1997). Pela analise feita concluiu-se que: a) Esses compostos sao de origem nao natural, considerados altamente toxicos, extremamente persistentes, tendo sido detectados em todas as matrizes ambientais como: solo, sedimentos, ar, agua, animais e vegetais; b) emissoes desses compostos para a atmosfera ocorrem principalmente nos processos de combustao; c) dispersao atmosferica, deposicao e subsequente acumulacao na cadeia alimentar tem sido a principal rota de exposicao da populacao em geral; d) devido a natureza lipofilica e persistencia, estes se acumulam em tecidos gordurosos, sendo os alimentos de origem animal os que apresentaram maiores concentracoes; e) no Brasil, os poucos estudos realizados, com medidas de concentracoes desses compostos no meio ambiente, apresentaram alguns niveis comparaveis aos da Alemanha. Recomenda-se a continuidade de pesquisas no Brasil, sobre esses compostos, em especial sua acumulacao em alimentos e no tecido humano.

Characterization of Metal and Trace Element Contents of Particulate Matter (PM10) Emitted by Vehicles Running on Brazilian Fuels—Hydrated Ethanol and Gasoline with 22% of Anhydrous Ethanol

Emission of fine particles by mobile sources has been a matter of great concern due to its potential risk both to human health and the environment. Although there is no evidence that one sole component may be responsible for the adverse health outcomes, it is postulated that the metal particle content is one of the most important factors, mainly in relation to oxidative stress. Data concerning the amount and type of metal particles emitted by automotive vehicles using Brazilian fuels are limited. The aim of this study was to identify inhalable particles (PM10) and their trace metal content in two light-duty vehicles where one was fueled with ethanol while the other was fueled with gasoline mixed with 22% of anhydrous ethanol (gasohol); these engines were tested on a chassis dynamometer. The elementary composition of the samples was evaluated by the particle-induced x-ray emission technique. The experiment showed that total emission factors ranged from 2.5 to 11.8 mg/km in the gasohol vehicle, and from 1.2 to 3 mg/km in the ethanol vehicle. The majority of particles emitted were in the fine fraction (PM2.5), in which Al, Si, Ca, and Fe corresponded to 80% of the total weight. PM10 emissions from the ethanol vehicle were about threefold lower than those of gasohol. The elevated amount of fine particulate matter is an aggravating factor, considering that these particles, and consequently associated metals, readily penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract, producing damage to lungs and other tissues.

Queimadas de cana-de-açúcar: Avaliação de efeitos na qualidade do ar e na saúde respiratória de crianças

Research undertaken in Espirito Santo do Turvo (SP), analyzed data on air pollution caused by sugarcane burning and respiratory health of children. Measurements of PM10, TSP, and NO2 were done during harvest period, in 2004 and 2005, at a public school patio and questionnaires to evaluate respiratory symptoms were applied to the school children. The municipality has predominantly sugarcane plantations and an alcohol processing plant close to urban area. Results of questionnaires were compared to those obtained in Juquitiba (SP), previously. Air pollution levels even during burning season were always bellow Brazilian standards. However, results indicated high prevalence of symptoms and of respiratory diseases.

Comparison of Emission of Dioxins and Furans from Gasohol- and Ethanol-Powered Vehicles.

ABSTRACT The exhaust emissions of 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were investigated in two spark-ignition light-duty vehicles, one gasohol-fueled and a flexible-fuel one fueled with hydrated ethanol. Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and 22% ethanol. The influence of fuel type and quality, lubricant oil type, and use of fuel additives on the formation of these compounds was tested using standardized U.S. Federal Test Procedure (FTP)-75 cycle tests. The sampling of the PCDD/Fs followed the recommendations of a modified U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 23 (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/promgate/m-23.pdf) and the analysis basically followed the U.S. EPA Method 8290 (http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/pdfs/8290a.pdf). Results showed that emission factors of PCDD/Fs for the gasohol vehicle varied from undetected to 0.068 pg international toxic equivalency (I-TEQ) km−1 (average of 0.0294 pg I-TEQ km−1), whereas in the ethanol vehicle they varied from 0.004 to 0.157 pg (I-TEQ) km−1 (average of 0.031 pg I-TEQ km−1). In the gasohol-powered vehicle, the use of fuel additive diminished the emission of Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) significantly, whereas in the ethanol vehicle no significant associations were observed between the investigated variables and the emissions. IMPLICATIONS The objective of this work was to analyze differences in emissions from a traditional fossil fuel (gasoline) and an alternative renewable fuel (ethanol from sugarcane), and the influence of fuel additives and lubricant oils on the formation of chlorinated dioxins and furans in spark-ignition light-duty gasohol and ethanol vehicles. Renewable fuels are very important in terms of climate change but the risk to the populations health must not increase. Thus the results of this work could help in the development of environmental impact studies as well as orienting policy-makers in formulating strategies for air pollution control.

Airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a medium-sized city affected by preharvest sugarcane burning and inhalation risk for human health

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air were measured in a municipality where sugarcane plantations are extensive, at three sites, one in the city center and two in rural localities. Twenty-four-hour sampling was done using PS1 PUF samplers from Andersen Instruments Inc., at least 1 day per month per site, from June 2009 to October 2009. The chemical analyses were performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the 16 most toxic PAHs. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILTR) by inhalation was determined by the Monte Carlo method for the urban population using Crystal Ball software. The total concentration of the 16 PAHs at all sites varied from 6.2 to 65.7 ng m−3, with an average of 25.9 ± 18.2 ng m−3. The average concentrations per site were 14.1 ± 13.0 ng m−3 at rural site B, 20.7 ± 11.5 ng m−3 at rural site A, and 36.1 ± 22.7 ng m−3 at the central site. The cancer risk for infants, children, and adults was approximately 14%, 25%, and 61% of the total IRLT, respectively. The mean (95% upper probability limit [95% UPL]) values were 1.2 × 10−7 (2.2 × 10−7) for infants, 2.2 × 10−7 (4.1 × 10−7) for children, and 8.9 × 10−7 (1.1 × 10−6) for adults. Although the three most abundant PAHs found were phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene, the three most important contributions to the incremental risk of cancer came from benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and naphthalene. Compared with the risks in big cities such as São Paulo, this would be low, but not negligible. Analysis of ratios of PAHs according to the literature showed that vehicle exhaust and biomass burning, including sugarcane burning, seem to be the most important contributors to PAH concentrations in the central area of Araraquara City. Implications: The growth of biofuel use worldwide, especially ethanol, together with preharvesting burning practice, is cause of concern with regard to possible health effects, due to increased air pollution levels in cities in regions where sugarcane plantation and processing are intensive. This paper shows that the risk of cancer from PAH inhalation in an urban area surrounded by sugarcane agriculture was of the same order of magnitude as the tolerable risk value of 10−6. As other classical and hazardous pollutants are also present, care should be taken to keep pollution as low as possible to protect human health.

Qualidade do ar na favela Paraisópolis, SP, e possíveis implicações à saúde

O crescimento da populacao favelada no municipio de Sao Paulo, o adensamento das construcoes existentes no interior da favela de Paraisopolis e a alta prevalencia de doencas respiratorias em criancas ali vivendo, motivaram o presente estudo. Buscou-se verificar se a poluicao do ar seria fator agravante. A pesquisa analisou a qualidade do ar na favela de Paraisopolis, situada no distrito de Vila Andrade, ao sul do bairro do Morumbi. Mediram-se parâmetros de poluicao atmosferica (PTS, PI, NO 2 ) na favela, entre 15 e 31 de julho de 2003. Os dados de PI foram comparados com os dados das estacoes da CETESB, de Pinheiros e de Santo Amaro, localizadas proximas a area de estudo. Verificou-se que a poluicao do ar nao consistiu fator agravante na favela.

Clima urbano e saúde: uma revisão sistematizada da literatura recente

A systematized review of 67 articles on urban climate and health was carried out from searches in the Web of Science and PubMed platforms. The articles were organized by date of publication, by the country where the study was undertaken and by subject: methods; evidences of health risks from thermal stress and climate-related infectious diseases; mitigation of extreme urban climate conditions through vegetation and other means; co-benefits and political articulations.

Correlations Between The Exhaust Emission OfDioxins, Furans And PAH In Gasohol AndEthanol Vehicles

The emissions of seventeen 2,3,7,8 substituted Polychlorinated Dibenzo-pDioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and sixteen Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) [14] in the exhaust pipes of spark ignition light duty vehicles considered toxic to human health were investigated. The formations of these compounds were evaluated under the influence of variations of fuels and fuel additives. Standard tests in a gasohol (gasohol is pure gasoline plus 20% to 25% of anhydrous ethyl alcohol fuel (AEAF)) vehicle and in an ethanol vehicle were performed with variations in the quality of fuels. The sampling of the PCDD/Fs followed the recommendations of a modified 23 method and the analysis basically followed the 8290 method. The recommendations of the TO-13 method were followed for the PAH analysis, with the necessary modifications for a vehicular emission laboratory. The emission factors of the total PCDD/Fs varied between undetected and 0.157 pg I-TEQ/km. The emission factors of the total PAH varied from 0.01 μg TEQ/km to 4.61 μg TEQ/km. Significant and positive correlations were observed between the emissions of naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and fluoranthene and significant and negative correlations were observed between the emissions of CO2 and fluoranthene in the gasohol vehicle. Significant and positive correlations between carbon monoxide and phenanthrene and between acenaphthylene, fluorene and fluoranthene in the alcohol vehicle were also observed, apart from significant and negative correlations between NOx and phenanthrene. In general way, significant correlations between PAH and PCDD/Fs were not observed, except in the ethanol vehicle considering phenanthrene.

Toxic Organic Air Pollutants In The AtmosphereOf São Paulo And Its Origins:Dioxins, Furans (PCDD/Fs) AndPolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Air quality in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region has shown improvement for some pollutants such as total suspended particulate matter, and carbon monoxide, being that sulphur dioxide control has been a success, according to Sao Paulo State Environment Agency (CETESB) data. However, inhalable particulate and ozone still are a serious problem. Ozone levels have remained constant and have frequently exceeded air quality standards. Levels of ozone depend on the presence of organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the air, which emissions are still increasing in the region. Besides ozone formation, organic compounds can be toxic, several of them with proven carcinogenic effect. In this work, measurements, levels and sources of dioxins, furans and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were reviewed. The results show that air levels and emissions of vehicles have importance, but industry emissions in urban areas and open burning in rural areas should also be addressed; measures should be taken to reduce them. Moreover, a wider program involving these toxic substances should be implemented, and it should contain an emission inventory and an emission reduction scheme, aiming at the prevention of health effects, especially neoplasias.