Karina Camasmie Abe

Health Impact Assessment of Air Pollution in São Paulo, Brazil

Epidemiological research suggests that air pollution may cause chronic diseases, as well as exacerbation of related pathologies such as cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates air pollution scenarios considering a Health Impact Assessment approach in São Paulo, Brazil. We have analyzed abatement scenarios of Particulate Matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM10), <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and ozone concentrations and the health effects on respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the period from 2009 to 2011 through the APHEKOM tool, as well as the associated health costs. Considering World Health Organization (WHO) standards of PM2.5 (10 μg/m3), São Paulo would avoid more than 5012 premature deaths (equivalent to 266,486 life years’ gain) and save US

Homocysteine and cysteine concentrations are modified by recent exposure to environmental air pollution in São Paulo, Brazil

15.1 billion annually. If São Paulo could even diminish the mean of PM2.5 by 5 μg/m3, nearly 1724 deaths would be avoided, resulting in a gain of US

In utero exposure to air pollution lowers erythrocyte antioxidant defense and decreases weight in adult mice

4.96 billion annually. Reduced levels of PM10, PM2.5 and ozone could save lives and an impressive amount of money in a country where economic resources are scarce. Moreover, the reduced levels of air pollution would also lower the demand for hospital care, since hospitalizations would diminish. In this sense, Brazil should urgently adopt WHO air pollution standards in order to improve the quality of life of its population.

Health Impact Assessment of the construction of hydroelectric dams in Brazil

Millions of people worldwide are affected by anthropogenic air pollution derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. In this work, we tested the effects of fetal, lactation and post-weaning ambient air pollution exposure on total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations and on a downstream pathway element, the plasma cysteine (Cys) concentration. Two similar exposure chambers (polluted and filtered chamber) were located near an area with heavy traffic in São Paulo, Brazil, and male Swiss mice were housed there from the pre-natal period until 3 months of age. Groups during fetal, lactation and adult periods of exposure were apportioned, and tHcy and Cys plasma concentrations were assessed when the animals were 3 months old. In our study, both the tHcy and Cys concentrations were decreased in groups that spent their final stage of life in polluted chambers, suggesting recent alterations in tHcy and Cys concentrations due to air pollution exposure. The possible relationship of these data with cardiovascular dysfunction is still a matter of controversy in animals; nevertheless, epigenetic mechanisms emerge as a possible issue to consider in the investigation of the link between air pollution and Hcy measurement.

Avaliação de impacto à saúde da poluição do ar no município de Diadema, Brasil

In this study, we tested the influence of ambient air pollution on different phases of development of adult mice. With respect to adult weight, the animals that had spent their in utero period exposed to pollution showed less weight gain over their lifetime, as well as lower activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Our study suggests that contact with atmospheric pollutants during the foetal period produces important changes on enzymatic erythrocyte antioxidant defense and weight in adult mice.

Avaliação de Impacto à Saúde (AIS) no Brasil e América Latina: uma ferramenta essencial a projetos, planos e políticas

Background: Brazil ́s dam-building plans in Amazonia imply substantial environmental and social impacts. This study evaluates the relationship between social, environmental, economic aspects, and impacts on the health status of the population of Rondônia, Brazil, due to the implementation of the Jirau and Santo Antônio hydroelectric dams. Methods: A qualitative and retrospective Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is used to focus the study objectives. The information is arranged in a structured diagram that enables an outside reviewer to assess the aspects/ impacts relationship derived from the construction of the dams. This comes with outline recommendations for health risk management that can orient national health authorities. We selected a narrative review synthesis as the most appropriate approach for the study. Results: The diagram network was built making it possible to analyze the impact changes caused by this enterprise in the health sector. Additionally, the model will serve in the implementation of a complete HIA approach in an attempt to quantitatively map the impacts and to propose recommendations. Conclusion: The diagram pathway has been useful as an important tool for assessing a broader view of direct and indirect impact categories, serving as a basis for further evaluations and studies. This effort is very important for highlighting the priorities in the public policy decision-making process, serving as a basis for the Brazilian Health System.

The impact of urban air pollution exposure on the development of alterations on oxidative stress and behavioral parameters in adult mice

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar cenarios preditivos de diminuicaoda poluicao atmosferica considerando uma abordagem de Avaliacao deImpacto a Saude (AIS) no municipio de Diadema, Brasil, assim como oscustos associados. Os poluentes analisados foram o material particulado deate 2,5 e de ate 10 μm (MP2,5 e MP10, respectivamente) e o ozonio (O3), entreos anos de 2012 e 2014. O cenario com reducao dos niveis de MP2,5 destacousedos demais, mostrando que seria possivel evitar ate 100 obitos anuais,resultando num ganho de 16,4 meses de expectativa de vida e uma economiade mais de US

Effects of neonatal hypoxia on mice behavior and oxidative stress parameters

527 milhoes. Esses resultados obtidos para o municipio deDiadema revelam a importância de acoes preventivas e politicas de controleda poluicao atmosferica, impactando nos efeitos a saude e a economia daregiao. Esse modelo pode ser aplicado em outros municipios brasileiros,colaborando para a melhor tomada de decisao e eficiencia na utilizacao dosrecursos publicos.

Leptin deficiency leads to the regulation of kinin receptors expression in mice.

O presente artigo apresenta uma revisao de literatura e discute a aplicacao da metodologia de Avaliacao de Impacto a Saude (AIS), divulgada pela Organizacao Mundial de Saude (OMS), para o Brasil e America Latina. Esse estudo mostrou que a pratica e a aplicacao da AIS nao e comum nestas regioes, e, alem disso, a analise de impactos a saude e realizada de forma superficial em licenciamentos ambientais e em politicas publicas, o que aponta para a necessidade da utilizacao de metodologias especificas, treinamento de profissionais e iniciativa governamental. A adocao da AIS no Brasil e America Latina evitaria a geracao de efeitos adversos a saude, potencializando os aspectos positivos, mitigando os efeitos negativos de projetos e politicas publicas, garantindo que a saude da populacao nao seja negligenciada.

Avaliação de impacto à saúde do Programa de Controle de Poluição do Ar por Veículos Automotores no município de São Paulo, Brasil

Materials and methods Swiss male mice were daily exposed to the urban polluted air (pollution group) or filtered air (control group) for 3 months inside a special chamber, which reproduced a real exposure condition. We performed activity box and elevated plus-maze (EPM) as behavioral tests; and erythrocyte antioxidant defense parameters, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities and total glutathione concentration. Statistical analysis were performed by student t test (p<0.05).