Poluição e a densidade de vegetação: BTEX em algumas áreas públicas de Curitiba - PR, Brasil

The occurrence of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in some public areas of Curitiba-PR, Brazil, was evaluated. Their concentrations were then related to the vegetation's density in each area. Average benzene concentrations varied from 3.9 to 6.1 μg m-3, with higher values occurring in poorly dense vegetation areas. For toluene, average concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 7.2 μg m-3. The effect of such pollutants was evaluated by means of a bio indicator, Tillandsia stricta. Variation in total chlorophyll content and in stomatic density were detected in some samples and may be related to the BTEX concentrations found in the studied areas

Human exposure to hydrogen sulphide concentrations near wastewater treatment plants

The hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Curitiba, Brazil have been quantified for the first time. H2S generated by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in WWTPs is a cause for concern because it is an air pollutant, which can cause eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, and nausea. Considering the requirement for WWTPs in all communities, it is necessary to assess the concentrations and effects of gases such as H2S on populations living and/or working near WWTPs. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the indoor and outdoor concentration of H2S in the neighbourhood of two WWTPs located in Curitiba, as well as its human health impacts. Between August 2013 and March 2014 eight sampling campaigns were performed using passive samplers and the analyses were carried out by spectrophotometry, presenting mean concentrations ranging from 0.14 to 32 μg m− 3. Eleven points at WWTP-A reported H2S average concentrations above the WHO recommendation of 10 μg m− 3, and 15 points above the US EPA guideline of 2 μg m− 3. At WWTP-B the H2S concentration was above US EPA guideline at all the sampling points. The I/O ratio on the different sampling sites showed accumulation of indoor H2S in some instances and result in exacerbating the exposure of the residents. The highest H2S concentrations were recorded during the summer in houses located closest to the sewage treatment stations, and towards the main wind direction, showing the importance of these factors when planning a WWTP. Lifetime risk assessments of hydrogen sulphide exposure showed a significant non-carcinogenic adverse health risk for local residents and workers, especially those close to anaerobic WWTPs. The data indicated that WWTPs operated under these conditions should be recognized as a significant air pollution source, putting local populations at risk

Estudos sobre a ocorrência de compostos organoestânicos em sedimentos marinhos superficiais na costa do estado de São Paulo

Neste trabalho foi investigada a ocorrência de compostos organometálicos de estanho em sedimentos de zonas portuárias, marinas de barcos de lazer e em terminais de pesca da costa do estado de São Paulo. Tais áreas foram escolhidas para estudo pois representam os locais mais propensos à contaminação por compostos organoestânicos (OTs), já que estes organometálicos constituem o grupo de agentes biocidas mais amplamente utilizado em tintas antiincrustantes para uso náutico. Foram estudados os compostos mono-, di- e tributilestanho (MBT, DBT, TBT), e mono-, di- e trifenilestanho (MPhT, DPhT, TPhT). As amostras de sedimento foram coletadas nos meses de abril e dezembro de 1998 em cinco regiões costa paulista : Ubatuba, São Sebastião, Santos, Guarujá e Cananéia. Foram otimizadas as condições de análise por Cromatografia Gasosa com Detecção Fotométrica de Chama Pulsante (GC-PFPD). Os melhores resultados foram obtidos utilizando-se filtro de interferência de 610 nm. Os limites de detecção observados situaramse entre 3,2 e 43,8 pg de Sn injetado, o que significa alta sensibilidade quando comparado a outros detectores utilizados na detecção de compostos organoestânicos, como o Fotométrico de Chama (FPD) que apresenta limites de detecção de 20,7 a 2376,0 pg Sn injetado para os mesmos compostos (dados também obtidos no presente trabalho). A faixa de linearidade observada para os OTs foi de 20 – 500 ng g-1. Na validação do método utilizou-se o material de referência certificado PACS- 2, sedimento marinho do National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) certificado para os compostos DBT e TBT. Os valores de concentração obtidos foram bastante próximos dos certificados. Para o composto DBT o valor obtido foi de 1030,9 ng g-1 e o certificado é de 1090,0 ng g-1, com CV de 6,1% e para o composto TBT o valor obtido foi de 786,1 ng g-1, com CV de 4,4%...This work aimed to determine the ocorrence of oganotin (OTs) compounds on marine sediment of São Paulo State (Brazil) costal zone. For this propose it was chose harbor, marina and fishing sities, since these areas are potentially exposed to OTs from antifouling paints for ship hulls. The compounds studied were mono-, di- and tributiltin (MBT, DBT, TBT), e mono-, di- and tripheniltin (MPhT, DPhT, TPhT). Sediment samples were collected on April and December 1998 at five regions : Ubatuba, São Sebastião, Santos, Guarujá e Cananéia. The analysis were performed with a Gas Chromatograph with Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (GC-PFPD) which analytical condtions were optimized. The better results were obtained using a 610 nm interference filter. The detection limits were of 8,4 to 66,3 ng g-1, what means high sensitivity when compared to other detectors used in the organotin detection, like Flame Photometric Detection (FPD) that shows detection limits of 47,4 to 606,1 ng g-1 to the same compounds (data obtained in this study). For GC/PFPD, the OTs linearity range was 20 - 500 ng g-1. On method validation it was used a reference material (harbour sediment) PACS-2 from National Research Council of Canadá (NRCC), certificated for DBT and TBT concentration. The concentration values obtained were very close of the certified. For DBT compound the value was 1030,9 ng g-1 and the certified is 1090,0 ng g-1, with CV of 6,1% and for TBT compound the value was 786,1 ng g-1, with CV of 4,4. Surrogates (tripropyltin TPrT) were also used for evaluation of recovery that ranged between 65 and 100 %, for all analysed samples. The concentration levels detected were higher where the ship or pleasure boats movement are more intensive, like Santos harbor ( 360 ng g-1 TBT in average ) and Guarujá marina (670 ng g-1 TBT in average). Lower levels were observed in Cananéia,...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Contaminação ambiental por compostos organoestânicos

The occurrence and the effects of organotin compounds (OTs) have been studied since a long time, due to their widespread use and deleterious effects. Some OTs are used as pesticides in crops, or as biocides in antifouling paints, applied in the ship hulls to avoid attachment and growth of tube worms, mussels and barnacles. However, nontarget organisms may be exposed, resulting in the poisoning of biological system, originating mutations and sentencing species to extinction. In this work we reported a revision study on the history of OTs and the techniques developed for its assessment and control.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Salt Lake Aerosol Overview: Emissions, Chemical Composition and Health Impacts under the Changing Climate

Salt Lakes, having a salt concentration higher than that of seawater and hosting unique extremophiles, are predominantly located in drought-prone zones worldwide, accumulating diverse salts and continuously emitting salt dust or aerosols. However, knowledge on emission, chemical composition, and health impacts of Salt Lake aerosols under climate change is scarce. This review delves into the intricate dynamics of Salt Lake aerosols in the context of climate change, pointing out that, as global warming develops and weather patterns shift, Salt Lakes undergo notable changes in water levels, salinity, and overall hydrological balance, leading to a significant alteration of Salt Lake aerosols in generation and emission patterns, physicochemical characteristics, and transportation. Linked to rising temperatures and intensified evaporation, a marked increase will occur in aerosol emissions from breaking waves on the Salt Lake surface and in saline dust emission from dry lakebeds. The hygroscopic nature of these aerosols, coupled with the emission of sulfate aerosols, will impart light-scattering properties and a cooling effect. The rising temperature and wind speed; increase in extreme weather in regard to the number of events; and blooms of aquatic microorganisms, phytoplankton, and artemia salina in and around Salt Lakes, will lead to the release of more organic substances or biogenic compounds, which contribute to the alteration of saline aerosols in regard to their quantitative and chemical composition. Although the inhalation of saline aerosols from Salt Lakes and fine salt particles suspended in the air due to salt dust storms raises potential health concerns, particularly causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease and leading to eye and skin discomfort, rock salt aerosol therapy is proved to be a good treatment and rehabilitation method for the prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is implied that the Salt Lake aerosols, at a certain exposure concentration, likely can delay the pathogenesis of silicosis by regulating oxidative stress and reducing interstitial fibrosis of the lungs. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate changes, chemical composition, and health aspects, advocating for a comprehensive and practical approach to address the challenges faced by Salt Lake aerosols in an ever-changing global climate

Impact assessment of IMO’s sulfur content limits: a case study at latin America’s largest grain port

The world ocean fleet consumes around 4.3 million barrels of heavy fuel oil (HFO) daily, releasing large amounts of sulfur-enriched gaseous and particulate pollutants into the atmosphere. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set new sulfur content limit values for HFO under the Global Sulfur Cap 2020 (GSC-2020) program to reduce its environmental and public health impact. This study assesses the environmental benefits of the sulfur content limit values for heavy fuel oil set by the IMO on sulfur emissions, trace element concentrations, and ship related PM2.5 pollution at Paranaguá, the largest grain port in Latin America. X-ray Fluorescence analysis revealed that the concentrations of vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni) in PM2.5 (i.e., finer particulate matter), which are prevalent trace elements in ship exhaust emissions, decreased significantly from 25.4 ng m− 3 and 5.8 ng m− 3 in 2019 to 3.5 ng m− 3 and 2.2 ng m− 3 in 2020, respectively. The V/Ni ratio also changed from 4.3 in 2019 to 1.8 in 2020, suggesting significant changes in the signature of marine vessel emission. Sulfur emissions also decreased, with average concentrations of 2.0 µg m− 3 in 2019 and 1.2 µg m− 3 in 2020. The primary PM2.5 concentration, attributed to ship emissions using V as a tracer, was reduced from ~ 80% in 2019 (mean = 35.8%) to less than 5% (mean = 4.9%) in 2020. Inhalation exposure to V and Ni in PM2.5 showed a decrease in the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) in 2020 compared to 2019, indicating potential health benefits. Our findings underscore the need for more robust international shipping policies prioritizing health objectives and reducing greenhouse gas emissions concurrently. Despite the significant health benefits associated with the implementation of low-sulfur fuels in global shipping, there remains a need for further investigation into the long-term effects of these fuels on air quality and human health

Organotins: A review of their reproductive toxicity, biochemistry, and environmental fate

The review purposes are to (1) evaluate the experimental evidence for adverse effects on reproduction and metabolism and (2) identify the current knowledge of analytical procedures, biochemistry and environmental aspects relating to organotins. Organotins are pollutants that are used as biocides in antifouling paints. They produce endocrine-disrupting effects in mollusks, such as imposex. In rodents, organotin exposure induces developmental and reproductive toxicity as well as alteration of metabolic homeostasis through its action as an obesogen. The adverse effects that appear in rodents have raised concerns about organotins' potential health risk to humans in relation to organotin exposure. At present, triorganotin, such as tributyltin, have been demonstrated to produce imposex, and mammalian reproductive and metabolic toxicity. For most mammals, triorganotin exposure predominantly occurs through the ingestion, and this compound can cross the placenta. With these risks in mind, it is important to improve our knowledge of organotins' effects on environmental health. © 2012 Elsevier Inc