Browsing by Author "Almeida, Susana Marta"
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- Assessment of aerosol emission sources in a traffic site combining on-line and off-line measurementsPublication . Coutinho, J. T.; Canha, Nuno; Galinha, C.; Martins, V.; Faria, Tiago; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Lage, J.; Rigler, M.; Mocnik, G.; Diapouli, E.; Eleftheriadis, K.; Almeida, Susana MartaIn urban areas, evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies show that traffic-related air pollution has adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Urban air pollution accounts for 3% of mortality from cardiopulmonary disease and 1% of mortality from acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years, worldwide. Therefore, disease and mortality associated with vehicle emissions represent a substantial challenge in public health. Source apportionment, using receptor models, is an essential tool to support the implementation of the European and Member States legislation on air quality and principally to reduce the impact of exposure to Air Particulate Matter (PM) on human health. This work was developed in the framework of the Interreg Med REMEDIO project and aims to assess the aerosol emission sources in an urban traffic site, located in the outskirts of Lisbon.
- Assessment of children’s potential exposure to bioburden in indoor environmentsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Almeida, Beatriz; Dias, Marta; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Carolino, Elisabete; Gomes, Anita Q.; Faria, Tiago; Martins, Vânia; Almeida, Susana MartaExposure to particles and bioaerosols has been associated with the increase in health effects in children. The objective of this study was to assess the indoor exposure to bioburden in the indoor microenvironments more frequented by children. Air particulate matter (PM) and settled dust were sampled in 33 dwellings and four schools with a medium volume sampler and with a passive method using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC), respectively. Settled dust collected by EDC was analyzed by culture-based methods (including azole resistance profile) and using qPCR. Results showed that the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in classrooms (31.15 μg/m3 and 57.83 μg/m3, respectively) were higher than in homes (15.26 μg/m3 and 18.95 μg/m3, respectively) and highly exceeded the limit values established by the Portuguese legislation for indoor air quality. The fungal species most commonly found in bedrooms was Penicillium sp. (91.79%), whereas, in living rooms, it was Rhizopus sp. (37.95%). Aspergillus sections with toxigenic potential were found in bedrooms and living rooms and were able to grow on VOR. Although not correlated with PM, EDC provided information regarding the bioburden. Future studies, applying EDC coupled with PM assessment, should be implemented to allow for a long-term integrated sample of organic dust.
- Bioburden in sleeping environments from Portuguese dwellingsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Dias, Marta; Monteiro, Ana; Faria, Tiago; Lage, Joana; Carolino, Elisabete; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Q.; Almeida, Susana Marta; Verde, Sandra Cabo; Belo, Joana; Canha, NunoA wider characterization of indoor air quality during sleep is still lacking in the literature. This study intends to assess bioburden before and after sleeping periods in Portuguese dwellings through active methods (air sampling) coupled with passive methods, such as electrostatic dust cloths (EDC); and investigate associations between before and after sleeping and bioburden. In addition, and driven by the lack of information regarding fungi azole-resistance in Portuguese dwellings, a screening with supplemented media was also performed. The most prevalent genera of airborne bacteria identified in the indoor air of the bedrooms were Micrococcus (41%), Staphylococcus (15%) and Neisseria (9%). The major indoor bacterial species isolated in all ten studied bedrooms were Micrococcus luteus (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Micrococcus varians (11%). Our results highlight that our bodies are the source of the majority of the bacteria found in the indoor air of our homes. Regarding air fungal contamination, Chrysosporium spp. presented the highest prevalence both in after the sleeping period (40.8%) and before the sleeping period (28.8%) followed by Penicillium spp. (23.47% morning; 23.6% night) and Chrysonilia spp. (12.4% morning; 20.3% night). Several Aspergillus sections were identified in air and EDC samples. However, none of the fungal species/strains (Aspergillus sections Fumigati, Flavi, Nidulantes and Circumdati) were amplified by qPCR in the analyzed EDC. The correlations observed suggest reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs of some fungal species found in sleeping environments. Toxigenic fungal species and indicators of harmful fungal contamination were observed in sleeping environments.
- Burn wood influence on outdoor air quality in a small village: Foros de Arrão, PortugalPublication . Canha, Nuno; Freitas, Maria do Carmo; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Almeida, Susana Marta; Dung, H. M.; Dionísio, I.; Cardoso, J.; Pio, C. A.; Caseiro, A.; Verburg, T. G.; Wolterbeek, H. Th.One Plus Sequential Air Sampler—Partisol was placed in a small village (Foros de Arrão) in central Portugal to collect PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm), during the winter period for 3 months (December 2009–March 2010). Particles masses were gravimetrically determined and the filters were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis to assess their chemical composition. The water-soluble ion compositions of the collected particles were determined by Ion-exchange Chromatography. Principal component analysis was applied to the data set of chemical elements and soluble ions to assess the main sources of the air pollutants. The use of both analytical techniques provided information about elemental solubility, such as for potassium, which was important to differentiate sources.
- Cidades mais sustentáveis: estudo de caso de Moscavide, PortugalPublication . Almeida-Silva, Marina; Lourenço, Daniela; Teixeira, Ana Marta; Noivo, Fernando; Ramos, Anabela; Cota, Rui; Almeida, Susana MartaO Projeto REMEDIO [Regenerating mixed‐use MED urban communities congested by traffic through Innovative low carbon mobility sOlutions, do programa Interreg MED e cofinanciado pelo FEDER (Ref.862)] tem como objetivo reforçar a capacidade das cidades a utilizar sistemas de transporte de baixo teor de carbono e incluí‐los nos seus planos de mobilidade, testando soluções de mobilidade existentes, através de uma ferramenta de avaliação e esquemas de governança participativa. Neste estudo foi aplicado um questionário de satisfação a mais de 100 pessoas que residem, trabalham e/ou passam pelo local de estudo. A avaliação permitiu perceber as necessidades da população face à intervenção na Avenida Moscavide.
- Compliance of indoor air quality during sleep with legislation and guidelines: a case study of Lisbon dwellingsPublication . Canha, Nuno; Alves, Ana Carolina; Marta, Catarina Simão; Lage, Joana; Belo, Joana; Faria, Tiago; Cabo-Verde, Sandra; Viegas, Carla; Alves, Célia; Almeida, Susana MartaThis study aimed to provide a comprehensive characterization of the indoor air quality during the sleeping period of 10 couples at Lisbon dwellings, using a multi-pollutant approach, and to understand how the compliance with legislation and guidelines was to assure good indoor air quality. The assessment of indoor air quality was conducted in the cold season using real-time monitors during the sleeping period for comfort parameters (temperature and relative humidity) and air pollutants (carbon dioxide - CO2, carbon monoxide - CO, formaldehyde - CH2O, total volatile organic compounds - VOCs, and particulate matter - PM2.5 and PM10), together with an active sampling of bioaerosols (fungi and bacteria) before and after the sleeping period. Lower compliance (less than 50% of the cases) with the Portuguese legislation was found for temperature, CO2 (3440 ± 1610 mg m-3), VOCs (1.79 ± 0.99 mg m-3), and both bioaerosol types. In 70% of the cases, PM2.5 (15.3 ± 9.1 μg m-3) exceeded the WHO guideline of 10 μg m-3. All bedrooms presented air change rates above the recommended minimum value of 0.7 h-1, highlighting that good indoor air quality during sleep is not guaranteed.
- Concentração de partículas e elementos químicos em Moscavide, PortugalPublication . Vogado, Filipa; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Alves, C.; Diapouli, D.; Eleftheriadis, K.; Almeida, Susana MartaNo âmbito do Projeto REMEDIO, o presente estudo foi realizado em Moscavide (Portugal) no período de Outono de 2016, com o propósito de analisar as concentrações elementares de PM2,5 e PM10. Os resultados deste estudo permitiram identificar a distribuição horária das concentrações de PM2,5 e PM10, possibilitando identificar os períodos do dia mais problemáticos em termos de impacte de poluição atmosférica. As concentrações médias de PM2,5 e PM10 excedem os valores limite, em períodos do dia cujo tráfego rodoviário é superior. Há uma predominância dos elementos oriundos de aerossóis marinhos (Na, K e Cl), seguidos daqueles provenientes da crosta terrestre (Ca, Fe, Si, Al) e por fim dos elementos químicos provenientes de fontes antropogénicas (S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Pb).
- Determination of airborne nanoparticles in elderly care centresPublication . Almeida-Silva, Marina; Almeida, Susana Marta; Gomes, J. F.; Albuquerque, Paula; Wolterbeek, H. Th.According to numerous studies, airborne nanoparticles have a potential to produce serious adverse human health effects when deposited into the respiratory tract. The most important parts of the lung are the alveolar regions with their enormous surface areas and potential to transfer nanoparticles into the blood stream. These effects may be potentiated in case of the elderly, since this population is more susceptible to air pollutants in general and more to nanoparticles than larger particles. The main goal of this investigation was to determine the exposure of institutionalized elders to nanoparticles using Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM) equipment to calculate the deposited surface area (DSA) of nanoparticles into elderly lungs. In total, 193 institutionalized individuals over 65 yr of age were examined in four elderly care centers (ECC). The occupancy daily pattern was achieved by applying a questionnaire, and it was concluded that these subjects spent most of their time indoors, including the bedroom and living room, the indoor microenvironments with higher prevalence of elderly occupancy. The deposited surface area ranged from 10 to 46 μm2/cm3. The living rooms presented significantly higher levels compared with bedrooms. Comparing PM10 concentrations with nanoparticles deposited surface area in elderly lungs, it is conceivable that living rooms presented the highest concentration of PM10 and were similar to the highest average DSA. The temporal distribution of DSA was also assessed. While data showed a quantitative fluctuation in values in bedrooms, high peaks were detected in living rooms.
- Determination of airborne nanoparticles in elderly care centresPublication . Almeida-Silva, Marina; Almeida, Susana Marta; Gomes, João; Albuquerque, Paula; Wolterbeek, H. T.According to numerous studies, airborne nanoparticles have a potential to produce serious adverse human health effects when deposited into the respiratory tract. The most important parts of the lung are the alveolar regions with their enormous surface areas and potential to transfer nanoparticles into the blood stream. These effects may be potentiated in case of the elderly, since this population is more susceptible to air pollutants in general and more to nanoparticles than larger particles. The main goal of this investigation was to determine the exposure of institutionalized elders to nanoparticles using Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM) equipment to calculate the deposited surface area (DSA) of nanoparticles into elderly lungs. In total, 193 institutionalized individuals over 65 yr of age were examined in four elderly care centers (ECC). The occupancy daily pattern was achieved by applying a questionnaire, and it was concluded that these subjects spent most of their time indoors, including the bedroom and living room, the indoor microenvironments with higher prevalence of elderly occupancy. The deposited surface area ranged from 10 to 46 mu m(2)/cm(3). The living rooms presented significantly higher levels compared with bedrooms. Comparing PM10 concentrations with nanoparticles deposited surface area in elderly lungs, it is conceivable that living rooms presented the highest concentration of PM10 and were similar to the highest average DSA. The temporal distribution of DSA was also assessed. While data showed a quantitative fluctuation in values in bedrooms, high peaks were detected in living rooms.
- Environmental audits: an analysis prior to the participation of Portuguese schools in the ClimACT projectPublication . Manteigas, Vítor; Lage, J.; Gomes, M.; Giorgetti, G.; Almeida, Susana Marta