Lean diesel technology and human health: a case study in six Brazilian metropolitan regions

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:Due to their toxicity, diesel emissions have been submitted to progressively more restrictive regulations in developed countries. However, in Brazil, the implementation of the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy (Euro IV standards for vehicles produced in 2009 and low-sulfur diesel with 50 ppm of sulfur) was postponed until 2012 without a comprehensive analysis of the effect of this delay on public health parameters. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the delay in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy on health indicators and monetary health costs in Brazil.METHODS:The primary estimator of exposure to air pollution was the concentration of ambient fine particulate matter (particles with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 µm, [PM2.5]). This parameter was measured daily in six Brazilian metropolitan areas during 2007-2008. We calculated 1) the projected reduction in the PM2.5 that would have been achieved if the Euro IV standards had been implemented in 2009 and 2) the expected reduction after implementation in 2012. The difference between these two time curves was transformed into health outcomes using previous dose-response curves. The economic valuation was performed based on the DALY (disability-adjusted life years) method.RESULTS:The delay in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy will result in an estimated excess of 13,984 deaths up to 2040. Health expenditures are projected to be increased by nearly US$ 11.5 billion for the same period.CONCLUSIONS:The present results indicate that a significant health burden will occur because of the postponement in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy. These results also reinforce the concept that health effects must be considered when revising fuel and emission policies.

Air Pollution in the Brazilian Road Transport and Its Environmental and Social Consequences

“…Several authors have pointed the harmful effects of air pollution on human health [33] [37] [45]- [47]. In Brazil, the situation is aggravated in the main metropolis, São Paulo, mainly by the transport model adopted in the country [24] [49].…”

Cashew nut roasting: Chemical characterization of particulate matter and genotocixity analysis

“…Fine particulates (PM 2.5 ) are potentially harmful to health and may affect the lower airways, reaching the pulmonary alveoli. These particles are related to genotoxic events, an increase in the number of hospitalizations and ambulatory visits, and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (Alves et al, 2011;André et al, 2012;De Oliveira et al, 2012;Da Silva et al, 2012). The organic fraction of PM has recently caused significant environmental concern due to the high mutagenic and carcinogenic potential displayed by its components (Vasconcellos et al, 2010).…”

Projeção da mortalidade e internações hospitalares na rede pública de saúde atribuíveis à poluição atmosférica no Estado de São Paulo entre 2012 e 2030

“…Em uma análise prospectiva, Bell et al (2005) mostraram que a diminuição de 10% de poluentes entre 2000 e 2020 na cidade de São Paulo acarretaria a redução de 138 mil visitas de crianças e jovens a consultórios, três mil visitas a prontos-socorros por doenças respiratórias e 817 mil ataques de asma. Estudo semelhante realizado por André et al (2012) apontou que haveria um excesso de quase 14 mil mortes até 2040 e mais de 18 mil internações na rede pública de saúde em seis regiões metropolitanas brasileiras (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre, Curitiba e Belo Horizonte), caso houvesse um atraso na implementação de políticas mais limpas de diesel. No presente estudo, um decréscimo da poluição da ordem de 5% em um período de 15 anos levaria a uma redução de 10.777 mortes, 1.021 internações hospitalares pelas quatro causas selecionadas no estudo e uma economia de mais de R$ 40 milhões em internações públicas em jovens.…”