The impact of air pollutants on the degradation of two historic buildings in Bordeaux, France

Abstract

Urban centers concentrate high levels of atmospheric pollutants, sourced by vehicular traffic, public transit systems, industrial emissions and agricultural emissions. This leads to the accumulation of gases and particulate matter (PM) which contribute to the degradation of historic buildings. Considering the importance of preserving historic structures, this manuscript examines the analysis of dangerous elements on the facades of two historic, UNESCO listed sites in Bordeaux, France, Grosse Cloche and Cathédrale St-André, due to the multiple influences of atmospheric pollutants, responsible for the degradation of historic buildings, in addition to causing possible compromises to human health. A total of 48 samples of particulate matter were collected between June 2018 and May 2019 using self-made passive samplers (SMPSs). Sedimented dust samples were collected from the same locations at the same time, one collection during each of the 4 seasons of the year. Analyses of accumulated ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) were performed on the collected samples. The results detected the presence of more than 800 organic NPs with high levels of toxic elements. Of these, 78% were detected in samples obtained via SMPS and the others in sedimented dust. 60% were shown to have a diameter of less than 50 nm. The authors suggest restoring the sampled historical structures for the benefit of humanity, in addition to increasing the rigor of public policies to control the release of particulate matter.

Indoor Nanoparticle Characterization in Construction Waste Recycling Companies over Time

“…Despite the adoption of recycling, or at least attempts to recycle construction waste, problems are present in all parts of the world [16,28]. The authors of the present study understand that little is known about the subject of exposure to NPs and UPFs generated at different stages of the recycling of different construction waste materials, and it is rarely studied [18,29]. The study of particles, as well as of exposure to particulates produced in the activity of recycling construction material, is of great importance to the reduction of risks to the health of workers and the population around such activity [30][31][32].…”

“…In view of this scenario, the objective of this study is to evaluate the NPs and UFPs present during the activities of a small company that recycles construction waste for the manufacture of concrete blocks and materials for earthwork. As a result [26,29], this work will contribute to the knowledge that helps small companies to develop their activities in such a manner as to mitigate the related health risks of the people who are vulnerable to exposure to the particulates.…”

“…The study of particles, as well as of exposure to particulates produced in the activity of recycling construction material, is of great importance to the reduction of risks to the health of workers and the population around such activity [30][31][32]. The analysis and chemical definition of the particles generated in the activity of this study is a complex challenge due to the considerable heterogeneity of the materials in question [18,29,[33][34][35].…”

“…Building materials can undergo substantial changes due to atmospheric contamination [18,29,[36][37][38], and could be the source of atmospheric pollutants [18,26,29]. In view of this scenario, the objective of this study is to evaluate the NPs and UFPs present during the activities of a small company that recycles construction waste for the manufacture of concrete blocks and materials for earthwork.…”

“…This important activity is crucial in all countries of the world, since the tendency of people to live in cities increases every year. For the recycling of construction materials to be carried out, it is necessary to have greater governmental powers over civil construction companies so that they do not deposit their waste in landfills or use it in earthworks without proper treatment to separate the materials that contaminate the atmosphere, soils, and water, as reported by Oliveira et al [29]. The present study explores the exposure to NPs and UFPs produced by construction waste recycling activities, with an emphasis on the human health risks as well as on the examination of the particles.…”