S. M. Almeida

Outdoor/indoor air quality in primary schools in Lisbon: a preliminary study

Simultaneous measurements of outdoor and indoor pollution were performed at three schools in Lisbon. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and NO2 were passively monitored over a two-week period. Bacterial and fungal colony-forming units and comfort parameters were also monitored at classrooms and playgrounds. The highest indoor levels of CO2 (2666 μg/m3), NO2 (40.3 μg/m3), VOCs (10.3 μg/m3), formaldehyde (1.03 μg/m3) and bioaerosols (1634 CFU/m3), and some indoor/outdoor ratios greater than unity, suggest that indoor sources and building conditions might have negative effects on air indoors. Increasing ventilation rates and use of low-emission materials would contribute towards improving indoor air quality.

Quality assurance in elemental analysis of airborne particles

Abstract Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) are commonly used to yield multielemental data in atmospheric studies. In this work the quality assurance of the analytical data is discussed based on two studies. The first is a precision study, involving sampling and analysis of air particulate matter in the size ranges of the aerodynamic diameter (AD)

Quality assessment on airborne particulate matter of k0-INAA

The analysis of airborne particulate matter (APM) by k0-NAA was assessed using: (1) BCR reference material (RM) simulated air-filters, (2) synthetic air-filters prepared by spiking blank filters with standard solutions, and (3) real APM filters. k0-INAA is a suitable technique for the analysis of APM, delivering accurate and precise results. However, the quality assessment of APM analysis appears to be a difficult task.

Chemical characterization of atmospheric particles and source apportionment in the vicinity of a steelmaking industry

The objective of this work was to provide a chemical characterization of atmospheric particles collected in the vicinity of a steelmaking industry and to identify the sources that affect PM10 levels. A total of 94 PM samples were collected in two sampling campaigns that occurred in February and June/July of 2011. PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 were analyzed for a total of 22 elements by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Particle Induced X-ray Emission. The concentrations of water soluble ions in PM10 were measured by Ion Chromatography and Indophenol-Blue Spectrophotometry. Positive Matrix Factorization receptor model was used to identify sources of particulate matter and to determine their mass contribution to PM10. Seven main groups of sources were identified: marine aerosol identified by Na and Cl (22%), steelmaking and sinter plant represented by As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, Sb and Zn (11%), sinter plant stack identified by NH4(+), K and Pb (12%), an unidentified Br source (1.8%), secondary aerosol from coke making and blast furnace (19%), fugitive emissions from the handling of raw material, sinter plant and vehicles dust resuspension identified by Al, Ca, La, Si, Ti and V (14%) and sinter plant and blast furnace associated essentially with Fe and Mn (21%).

Impact of maritime air mass trajectories on the Western European coast urban aerosol.

Lisbon is the largest urban area in the Western European coast. Due to this geographical position the Atlantic Ocean serves as an important source of particles and plays an important role in many atmospheric processes. The main objectives of this study were to (1) perform a chemical characterization of particulate matter (PM2.5) sampled in Lisbon, (2) identify the main sources of particles, (3) determine PM contribution to this urban area, and (4) assess the impact of maritime air mass trajectories on concentration and composition of respirable PM sampled in Lisbon. During 2007, PM2.5 was collected on a daily basis in the center of Lisbon with a Partisol sampler. The exposed Teflon filters were measured by gravimetry and cut into two parts: one for analysis by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and the other by ion chromatography (IC). Principal component analysis (PCA) and multilinear regression analysis (MLRA) were used to identify possible sources of PM2.5 and determine mass contribution. Five main groups of sources were identified: secondary aerosols, traffic, calcium, soil, and sea. Four-day backtracking trajectories ending in Lisbon at the starting sampling time were calculated using the HYSPLIT model. Results showed that maritime transport scenarios were frequent. These episodes were characterized by a significant decrease of anthropogenic aerosol concentrations and exerted a significant role on air quality in this urban area.

Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools

The indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms is expected to play a key role in the assessment of the effects of the children’s personal exposure to air pollution since they spend on average 7–11 h per weekday at school. A statistical treatment was conducted over a database of indoor air parameters and the primary schools where these parameters were sampled (urban area of Lisbon, Portugal). The aim of this study was to assess the associations between indoor air parameters with the schools’ building characteristics, through the use of statistical methods. Several associations were found and allow pointing out from this study several recommendations to improve the classrooms IAQ. For example, some factors such as ventilation, cleanings and chalk use instead whiteboard pens, can reduce or increase specific contaminants inside the classrooms.

Effects of Exposure to Particles and Ozone on Hospital Admissions for Cardiorespiratory Diseases in SetúBal, Portugal

In recent years, the adverse health effects attributed to air pollution have been a focus of intense study. Exposure to pollutants such as airborne particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O3) has been associated with increases in morbidity and mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine a correlation between particles (PM10, PM2.5) and O3 with hospital admissions in Setúbal, a densely populated Portuguese urban region that coexists with a heavy industrial area. A database with daily air quality and hospital admission data over 5 years (2005–2009) was assembled and associations were investigated by ordinary least squares linear regression. Results showed positive significant associations between PM10 and respiratory diseases for ages below 14 yr and above 64 yr, and between PM2.5 and respiratory diseases for ages above 64 yr.

Impact of Sahara Dust Transport on Cape Verde Atmospheric Element Particles

The objectives of this study were to (1) conduct an elemental characterization of airborne particles sampled in Cape Verde and (2) assess the influence of Sahara desert on local suspended particles. Particulate matter (PM10) was collected in Praia city (14°94’N; 23°49’W) with a low-volume sampler in order to characterize its chemical composition by k0-INAA. The filter samples were first weighed and subsequently irradiated at the Portuguese Research Reactor. Results showed that PM10 concentrations in Cape Verde markedly exceeded the health-based air quality standards defined by the European Union (EU), World Health Organization (WHO), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in part due to the influence of Sahara dust transport. The PM10 composition was characterized essentially by high concentrations of elements originating from the soil (K, Sm, Co, Fe, Sc, Rb, Cr, Ce, and Ba) and sea (Na), and low concentrations of anthropogenic elements (As, Zn, and Sb). In addition, the high concentrations of PM measured in Cape Verde suggest that health of the population may be less affected compared with other sites where PM10 concentrations are lower but more enriched with toxic elements.

Air quality control monitoring at an urban and industrialized area

Air particulate matter analysis has been performed since 1999, within a contract for air quality monitoring of an urban waste incinerator. Air collection was made with Gent samplers, which collect size-fractionated aerosol samples in three sampling sites. Samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In this study some INAA results are discussed. PM10 mass concentrations are compared with the limit values for human health protection regulated by the European Council Directive 1999/30/CE. Weekend day and weekday samples are compared concerning As, Co, Fe, K, La, Na, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn mean concentrations collected at Bobadela for 1999. Enrichment factors are also presented. Enrichments were found for As, Sb, Se and Zn for both fractions in the three sampling sites. In order to quantify the evolution for the 1999-2001 period, basic statistics was performed for the enriched elements.

Estimating the inhaled dose of pollutants during indoor physical activity.

BACKGROUND It is undeniable that many benefits come from physical activity. People exercise in fitness centers to improve their health and well-being, prevent disease and to increase physical attractiveness. However, these facilities join conditions that cause poor indoor air quality. Moreover, increased inhalation rates during exercise have influence on inhaled doses of air pollution. OBJECTIVES This study aims to calculate the inhaled dose of air pollutants during exercise, by estimating minute ventilation of participants and measuring air pollutant concentrations in fitness centers. METHODS Firstly, the 20 participants performed an incremental test on a treadmill, where heart rate and minute ventilation were measured simultaneously to develop individual exponential regression equations. Secondly, heart rate was measured during fitness classes and minute ventilation was estimated based on the calculated regression coefficients. Finally, the inhaled dose of air pollutants was calculated using the estimated minute ventilation and the concentrations of the pollutants measured in a monitoring program performed in 63 fitness classes. RESULTS Estimated inhaled doses were higher in aerobic classes than in holistic classes. The main difference was registered for PM10 inhaled dose that presented an average ratio between aerobic and holistic classes greater than four. Minute ventilation and PM10 concentrations in aerobic classes were, on average, 2.0 times higher than in holistic classes. Results showed that inhalation of pollutants is increased during heavy exercise, demonstrating the need to maintain high indoor air quality in fitness centers. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates the importance of inclusion minute ventilation data when comparing inhaled doses of air pollution between different population groups. This work has estimated for the first time the minute ventilation for different fitness classes. Also constitutes an important contribution for the assessment of inhaled dose in future studies to be performed in fitness centers.