No abstract

Studies that relate air pollution and health in medium-sized urban areas are scarce, especially in healthy adults. In addition, there is no consensus in the literature regarding a safe level of airborne particulate matter. Therefore, research at these sites may contribute to a better understanding of health and air pollution associations. From the point of view of the respiratory system, healthy adults were evaluated using the validated British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire. Measurements of particulate matter (PM), black carbon equivalent, and particle number concentrations (PNC) were performed during summer and winter in indoor and outdoor environments at two University Institutions (P1 and P2) located in the urban area. Although with different characteristics in the surroundings, the sites presented similar concentrations of particles, and between the seasons were dissimilar and higher during the winter. The average prevalence of respiratory symptoms increased by 13% in the winter compared to summer. We found a significant positive association (p < 0.05) between the explanatory variables and respiratory symptoms. The period, PM10, PM2.5, and PNC2.5 variables were risk factors for the univariate model. The relative risk (RR) for PM10 was 1.031 (CI: 1.016-1.110) with an increase in concentrations of 11 µg m-3. For the multivariate model, PM2.5 (RR 1.054; CI 1.045- 5.383) and PNC2.5 (RR 1.018; CI 1.002-1.071) for cough and phlegm for the group of adults considered healthy. Air pollution increases showed adverse effects, even in healthy adults and below guidelines, expanding the groups susceptible to its effects.Keywords: air pollution, respiratory symptoms, questionnaire, particulate matter, longitudinal study. Concentrações de partículas Aerotransportadas internas e externas e suas relações com sintomas respiratórios em voluntários do setor de educaçãoR E S U M OEstudos que relacionam poluição do ar e saúde em áreas urbanas de médio porte são escassos, principalmente em adultos saudáveis. Além disso, não há consenso na literatura quanto a um nível seguro de material particulado no ar. Portanto, pesquisas nesses locais podem contribuir para uma melhor compreensão das associações entre saúde e poluição do ar. Do ponto de vista do sistema respiratório, adultos saudáveis foram avaliados por meio do questionário validado do British Medical Research Council (BMRC). Medições de material particulado (MP), carbono negro equivalente e concentração do número de partículas (PNC) foram realizadas durante o verão e inverno em ambientes internos e externos em duas Instituições Universitárias (P1 e P2) localizadas na área urbana. Embora com características diferentes no entorno, os locais apresentaram concentrações de partículas semelhantes, e entre as estações foram dissimilares e maiores durante o inverno. A prevalência média de sintomas respiratórios aumentou 13% no inverno em relação ao verão. Encontramos associação positiva significativa (p < 0,05) entre as variáveis explicativas e os sintomas respiratórios. As variáveis período, PM10, PM2,5 e PNC2,5 foram fatores de risco para o modelo univariado. O risco relativo (RR) para PM10 foi de 1,031 (IC: 1,016-1,110) com aumento nas concentrações de 11 µg m-3. Para o modelo multivariado, PM2,5 (RR 1,054; IC 1,045- 5,383) e PNC2,5 (RR 1,018; IC 1,002-1,071) para tosse e catarro para o grupo de adultos considerados saudáveis. O aumento da poluição do ar mostrou efeitos adversos, mesmo em adultos saudáveis e abaixo das diretrizes, ampliando os grupos suscetíveis aos seus efeitos.Palavras-chave: poluição do ar, sintomas respiratórios, questionário, material particulado, estudo longitudinal.

Long-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major human health concern; respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are the main consequences. In this study, we present the source apportionment of PM2.5 in a large port region in the South Atlantic, located in a Natural Heritage Estuary, which is a particularly sensitive ecosystem and a marine protected area. The PM2.5 mean concentration was 15.26 ± 7.5 µg m− 3, with a range from 0.7 to 41.0 µg m− 3, exceeding both World Health Organization target thresholds 3 and 4, as well as the Air Quality Guideline level. Notably, 10% (n = 34) of the samples exceeded the Brazilian environmental quality threshold for PM2.5 24-hour mean (25 µg m− 3), which is significant since the guidelines recommend a maximum of 3 to 4 exceedance days per year. Bivariate plots with meteorological data and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were employed to estimate the sources of PM2.5 from soluble ions and trace and major metal compositions. The findings suggest that truck activity in a nearby parking lot is the primary source of PM2.5, and the presence of a transportation structure linked to grain transportation was identified as a secondary source. Additionally, the findings of this study demonstrate an urgent need to address the impact of the Brazilian soybean export industry on human health and biodiversity in the region, given the context of excessive PM2.5 concentrations and the risks they presumably pose.