Características e procedência da lenha usada na cocção no Brasil

Firewood has been replaced over the years by new forms of energy, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity. However, this fuel still accounts for a significant fraction of the Brazilian energy matrix. Research regarding its use remains limited and regional in the country. The objective of this study was survey the production, consumption and characteristics of firewood used for cooking. According to the results, in 2016 26.5% of the firewood produced in Brazil was used for residential purposes, around 2×107 metric tons. Firewood comes from both silviculture, Paraná being the largest producer, and extractivism, Bahia being the largest producer. Pará presented the greatest dependence of this fuel, while Rio de Janeiro practically does not use it for this purpose. Per capita consumption varies from one region to another. Based on data from 2016, it was estimated that consumption was 1.7 kg/person/day. In situ studies showed consumption ranges from 0.7 to 8.5 kg/person/day. The study shows an obvious reliance on native forests to obtain firewood, resulting in deforestation in some areas. The low availability of data and the variation among them prevents a better assessment of the use of this fuel in Brazil and the implications for forest health. The implementation of public policies should be a priority of the government, as the improper use of firewood negatively affects the management of native vegetation, as well as being a socio-environmental, economic and public health burden.A lenha vem sendo substituída ao longo dos anos por novas formas de energia, como o gás liquefeito de petróleo (GLP) e a eletricidade. Porém, esse combustível ainda representa uma fração significativa da matriz energética brasileira, muito embora as pesquisas referentes ao seu uso ainda sejam limitadas e regionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento da produção, consumo e características da lenha usada com a finalidade de cocção. De acordo com os resultados, em 2016, 26,5% da lenha produzida no Brasil foram empregados com fins residenciais, ou seja, em torno de 2x107 toneladas. A lenha é proveniente tanto da silvicultura, sendo o Paraná o maior produtor, quanto do extrativismo, sendo a Bahia a maior produtora. O estado que apresenta maior dependência desse combustível para a cocção é o Pará, enquanto o Rio de Janeiro, praticamente, não a usa para esse fim. O consumo per capita varia muito de uma região a outra do país. Com base nos dados de 2016, foi estimado um consumo de 1,7 kg/pessoa/dia. No entanto, estudos in loco mostraram variação de 0,7 a 8,5 kg/ pessoa/dia. O levantamento aponta que uma parte considerável da lenha é proveniente de matas nativas que têm reflexos no desmatamento de uma dada região. A pouca disponibilidade de dados e a variação entre eles impede uma avaliação mais precisa do uso deste combustível no país e suas implicações para a saúde das florestas. A implantação de políticas públicas deveria ser prioridade do governo, pois o uso da lenha de forma inadequada afeta o manejo da vegetação nativa, além de ser uma questão socioambiental, econômica e de saúde pública

Inorganic composition of suspended sediments in the Acre river, Amazon Basin, Brazil

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition of suspended sediments from the Acre River, located in the Purus Basin, upper Amazon basin, a region associated with the Fitzcarrald Arch. The elemental and mineralogical compositions of the sediments were assessed by using mass and atomic spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. A total of 46 samples were collected between 2008 and 2011 from four sites in the study area during wet and dry seasons. The suspended sediments contained feldspar, kaolinite, illite and quartz as well as the elements Hg, Zn, V, Ti, Si, Pb, Ni, Na, Mn, Mg, K, Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ca, Al, S, and P in different proportions that were associated with the various weathering reactions linked to physical, chemical and biological processes in the region. The obtained results represent the first set of values and relationships regarding the mineralogy and chemical identification of the suspended sediments in the Acre River and can be used as a reference for the geochemical characteristics of the Purus Basin. Such regional studies will become increasingly necessary to observe the impacts of climate change and human activities on the suspended sediment load and composition of the Amazon River

Estudo da qualidade do ar no entorno da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Resumo: Tendo em vista a falta de conhecimento, por uma grande parcela da população, a respeito da qualidade do ar em seu entorno e das indesejadas consequências ao meio ambiente e à saúde pública que a má qualidade deste traz, o presente estudo visa caracterizar quimicamente o poluente atmosférico material particulado (MP10 e MP2.5) na região da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), comparando os resultados com a legislação vigente e com estudos anteriores realizados no Rio de Janeiro, verificando, também, se este não está a comprometer a saúde das pessoas e do Meio Ambiente.Palavras-chave: MP10; MP2.5; Saúde Pública; Meio Ambiente; Qualidade do Ar. Abstract: As the lack of knowledge about air quality and its dangerous consequences in the environment and public health persists in general population, this present study aims to quantify the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter (PM10 e PM2.5) collected in PUC-Rio, comparing the results with current legislation and previous studies carried out in Rio de Janeiro as well as verifying if this pollutant is compromising the public health and the environment.Keywords: PM10; PM2.5; Public Health; Environment; Air Quality

Impacto do sistema de transporte na qualidade do ar: o caso do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

In the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an urban mobility plan was implemented between 2011 and 2016 due to 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental benefits achieved by this urban mobility plan by comparing two periods: 2013 (before the megaevents) and 2017 (after the megaevents). Energy consumption and emissions from buses were estimated, and regulated pollutants (O3, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) were monitored. According to the calculations, NOx was the most emitted pollutant (60%). A 25% reduction levels for all pollutants was observed in 2017 compared to 2013. The reorganization of traffic shortened the bus routes, resulting in less fuel consumption (8%) and emissions. The annual mean concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, and CO) also decreased, thereby improving air quality. However, the levels of O3 increased, possibly owing to the reduction of NOx levels.In the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an urban mobility plan was implemented between 2011 and 2016 due to 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental benefits achieved by this urban mobility plan by comparing two periods: 2013 (before the megaevents) and 2017 (after the megaevents). Energy consumption and emissions from buses were estimated, and regulated pollutants (O3, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) were monitored. According to the calculations, NOx was the most emitted pollutant (60%). A 25% reduction levels for all pollutants was observed in 2017 compared to 2013. The reorganization of traffic shortened the bus routes, resulting in less fuel consumption (8%) and emissions. The annual mean concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, and CO) also decreased, thereby improving air quality. However, the levels of O3 increased, possibly owing to the reduction of NOx levels.In the downtown area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an urban mobility plan was implemented between 2011 and 2016 due to 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. This study aimed to evaluate the environmental benefits achieved by this urban mobility plan by comparing two periods: 2013 (before the megaevents) and 2017 (after the megaevents). Energy consumption and emissions from buses were estimated, and regulated pollutants (O3, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) were monitored. According to the calculations, NOx was the most emitted pollutant (60%). A 25% reduction levels for all pollutants was observed in 2017 compared to 2013. The reorganization of traffic shortened the bus routes, resulting in less fuel consumption (8%) and emissions. The annual mean concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, and CO) also decreased, thereby improving air quality. However, the levels of O3 increased, possibly owing to the reduction of NOx levels.No centro da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, foi implementado um plano de mobilidade urbana entre 2011 e 2016 devido à Copa do Mundo FIFA 2014 e aos Jogos Olímpicos 2016. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os benefícios ambientais alcançados por este plano de mobilidade urbana comparando dois períodos: 2013 (antes dos megaeventos) e 2017 (depois dos megaeventos). O consumo de energia e as emissões dos ônibus foram estimados e os poluentes regulamentados (O3, CO, PM10 e PM2,5) foram monitorados. De acordo com os cálculos, o NOx foi o poluente mais emitido (60%). Observou-se em 2017 uma redução de 25% de todos os poluentes em relação a 2013. A reorganização do tráfego encurtou as rotas de ônibus, resultando em menor consumo de combustível (8%) e emissões. As concentrações médias anuais de poluentes atmosféricos (PM10, PM2,5 e CO) também diminuíram, melhorando assim a qualidade do ar. No entanto, os níveis de O3 aumentaram, possivelmente devido à redução dos níveis de NOx

Estimation of arsenic contents in rice purchased on Peruvian markets and estimation of dietary intake by Peruvians through rice consumption

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3 mg kg-1). The DE showed that, on average, Peruvians consume 5.60 μg As kg-1 BW weekly. The MOE value was higher than 1 at the mean dietary exposure level. Our findings suggest that the health risk from dietary arsenic exposure is low for the Peruvian population. However, more studies are needed to reduce dietary arsenic exposure in Peru.Campus Lima Centr

Critical assessment of restrictive socioeconomic measures taken during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and their impact on air quality worldwide

The ongoing global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 has been a public health emergency of international concern. Countries have adopted several restriction measures. Because of this fateful moment, it was possible to assess the effect of anthropogenic activities on air pollutants in an unprecedented way. This work aims to outline changes in the air quality levels of several cities worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on the criteria pollutants found in these cities before and during the pandemic were used to evaluate air quality performance. The collection of most of the data was possible thanks to the constant monitoring methods applied in some countries. The severe limitation of people’s movements significantly reduced pollutants concentration, mainly due to the traffic of vehicles. Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter 2.5 μm, and particulate matter 10 μm (CO, SO2, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10) concentration reductions were observed due to more restrictive or flexible lockdowns. In almost all cities evaluated, WHO’s air quality guidelines have been achieved, except for tropospheric ozone, which has been increasing with the reduction of nitric oxides (NOx) emissions. The increment in the concentrations of the pollutants immediately after the end of the restrictions is an indication that control strategies must be implemented to improve air quality.A pandemia global em curso da doença de coronavírus 2019 tem sido uma emergência de saúde pública de interesse internacional. Os países adotaram várias medidas de restrição. Este momento fatídico permitiu avaliar o efeito das atividades antrópicas sobre os poluentes atmosféricos de forma inédita. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar a variação dos níveis de qualidade do ar de várias cidades do mundo após a chegada da pandemia do COVID-19. Critérios de dados de poluentes dessas cidades antes da pandemia e durante seu curso foram adotados para avaliar o desempenho da qualidade do ar. A coleta da maioria dos dados foi possível graças aos métodos de monitoramento constante aplicados em alguns países. A severa limitação dos movimentos das pessoas reduziu significativamente a concentração de poluentes, principalmente em razão do tráfego de veículos. As reduções das concentrações de CO, SO2, NO2, MP2,5 e MP10 foram observadas pelo bloqueio mais restritivo ou flexível. Em quase todas as cidades avaliadas, as diretrizes de qualidade do ar da Organização Mundial da Saúde foram alcançadas, exceto para os níveis de ozônio troposférico, que vêm aumentando com a redução das emissões de NOx. O incremento nas concentrações dos poluentes imediatamente após o fim das restrições é um indicativo de que estratégias de controle devem ser implementadas para melhorar a qualidade do ar

Structural signatures of water-soluble organic aerosols in contrasting environments in South America and Western Europe

This study describes and compares the key structural units present in water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) fraction of atmospheric aerosols collected in different South American (Colombia – Medellín and Bogotá, Peru – Lima, Argentina – Buenos Aires, and Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Porto Velho, during moderate (MBB) and intense (IBB) biomass burning) and Western European (Portugal – Aveiro and Lisbon) locations. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy was employed to assess the relative distribution of non-exchangeable proton functional groups in aerosol WSOC of diverse origin, for the first time to the authors’ knowledge in South America. The relative contribution of the proton functional groups was in the order H-C > H–C–C= > H-C-O > Ar-H, except in Porto Velho during MBB, Medellín, Bogotá, and Buenos Aires, for which the relative contribution of H-C-O was higher than that of H-C-C=. The 1H NMR source attribution confirmed differences in aging processes or regional sources between the two geographic regions, allowing the differentiation between urban combustion-related aerosol and biological particles. The aerosol WSOC in Aveiro, Lisbon, and Rio de Janeiro during summer are more oxidized than those from the remaining locations, indicating the predominance of secondary organic aerosols. Fresh emissions, namely of smoke particles, becomes important during winter in Aveiro and São Paulo, and in Porto Velho during IBB. The biosphere is an important source altering the chemical composition of aerosol WSOC in South America locations. The source attribution in Medellín, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, and Lima confirmed the mixed contributions of biological material, secondary formation, as well as urban and biomass burning emissions. Overall, the information and knowledge acquired in this study provide important diagnostic tools for future studies aiming at understanding the water-soluble organic aerosol problem, their sources and impact at a wider geographic scale.Fil: Duarte, Regina M.B.O.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Matos, João T.V.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Paula, Andreia S.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Lopes, Sónia P.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Pereira, Guilherme. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vasconcellos, Pérola. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Gioda, Adriana. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Carreira, Renato. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Silva, Artur M.S.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Duarte, Armando C.. Universidade de Aveiro; PortugalFil: Smichowski, Patricia Nora. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rojas, Nestor. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Sanchez Ccoyllo, Odon. No especifíca

The contribution of meteorological parameters and the COVID-19 partial lockdown on air quality in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study evaluated the pollutant levels (NO2, SO2, CO, and O3), air quality index (AQI) and the influence of meteorological variables and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the air quality in Rio de Janeiro. The data set used comprises periods before (March-April, 2019) and during pandemic (March-April, 2020). According to the AQI results, on most days, the air quality was ranked as “good”. Brazilian air quality standards for SO2, O3, and NO2 were not exceeded in any of the monitoring stations during partial lockdown, while CO exceeded in all periods in one site due to industrial emission. Comparing both periods, descriptive statistics for the meteorological parameters presented no differences, which suggests similar conditions. However, when evaluated week by week in 2020, weather conditions presented some differences that probably affected pollutant concentrations. The correlations between O3 and NO2 and some meteorological parameters indicate that variations in both favored ozone formation, since it is a photochemical process favored by temperature and solar radiation and that, in Rio de Janeiro, low NO2 concentrations lead to increased O3. The improvements on air quality during the partial lockdown may be attributed mainly to a reduction on emission sources rather than weather conditions.Campus Lima Centr

Estimation of arsenic contents in rice purchased on Peruvian markets and estimation of dietary intake by Peruvians through rice consumption

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3 mg kg-1). The DE showed that, on average, Peruvians consume 5.60 μg As kg-1 BW weekly. The MOE value was higher than 1 at the mean dietary exposure level. Our findings suggest that the health risk from dietary arsenic exposure is low for the Peruvian population. However, more studies are needed to reduce dietary arsenic exposure in Peru.Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of essential elements but also can contain high As concentrations, which may be consumed and causes health effects. This work aimed to contribute to the lack of information quantifying the total arsenic (tAs) in 31 domestic rice (white rice, n=19; brown rice, n=7; parboiled rice, n=5) of different brands purchased in Peruvian markets. The tAs content was conducted by ICP-MS. The tAs concentration was compared to the maximum limits prescribed by regulatory agencies. Dietary intake (DI), dietary exposure (DE), and margin of exposure (MOE) were estimated. tAs concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.292 ± 0.106 mg/kg, 0.401 ± 0.081 mg/kg, 0.229 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. Arsenic concentration in white rice exceeded limits recommended by FAO/WHO (0.20 mg kg-1), and European legislation (0.25 mg kg-1), but no Mercosul limits (0.3 mg kg-1). The DE showed that, on average, Peruvians consume 5.60 μg As kg-1 BW weekly. The MOE value was higher than 1 at the mean dietary exposure level. Our findings suggest that the health risk from dietary arsenic exposure is low for the Peruvian population. However, more studies are needed to reduce dietary arsenic exposure in Per