Burn wood influence on outdoor air quality in a small village: Foros de Arrão, Portugal

One Plus Sequential Air Sampler—Partisol was placed in a small village (Foros de Arrão) in central Portugal to collect PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm), during the winter period for 3 months (December 2009–March 2010). Particles masses were gravimetrically determined and the filters were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis to assess their chemical composition. The water-soluble ion compositions of the collected particles were determined by Ion-exchange Chromatography. Principal component analysis was applied to the data set of chemical elements and soluble ions to assess the main sources of the air pollutants. The use of both analytical techniques provided information about elemental solubility, such as for potassium, which was important to differentiate sources.

Seasonal variation of total particulate matter and children respiratory diseases at Lisbon primary schools using passive methods

In this work, 14 primary schools of Lisbon city, Portugal, followed a questionnaire of the ISAAC - International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Program, in 2009/2010. The questionnaire contained questions to identify children with respiratory diseases (wheeze, asthma and rhinitis). Total particulate matter (TPM) was passively collected inside two classrooms of each of 14 primary schools. Two types of filter matrices were used to collect TPM: Millipore (IsoporeTM) polycarbonate and quartz. Three campaigns were selected for the measurement of TPM: Spring, Autumn and Winter. The highest difference between the two types of filters is that the mass of collected particles was higher in quartz filters than in polycarbonate filters, even if their correlation is excellent. The highest TPM depositions occurred between October 2009 and March 2010, when related with rhinitis proportion. Rhinitis was found to be related to TPM when the data were grouped seasonally and averaged for all the schools. For the data of 2006/2007, the seasonal variation was found to be related to outdoor particle deposition (below 10 μm).

Neutron activation analysis of wheat samples

The deficiency of essential micronutrients and excess of toxic metals in cereals, an important food items for human nutrition, can cause public health risk. Therefore, before their consumption and adoption of soil supplementation, concentrations of essential micronutrients and metals in cereals should be monitored. This study collected soil and two varieties of wheat samples–Triticum aestivum L. (Jordão/bread wheat), and Triticum durum L. (Marialva/durum wheat) from Elvas area, Portugal and analyzed concentrations of As, Cr, Co, Fe, K, Na, Rb and Zn using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) to focus on the risk of adverse public health issues. The low variability and moderate concentrations of metals in soils indicated a lower significant effect of environmental input on metal concentrations in agricultural soils. The Cr and Fe concentrations in soils that ranged from 93–117 and 26,400–31,300 mg/kg, respectively, were relatively high, but Zn concentration was very low (below detection limit <22 mg/kg) indicating that soils should be supplemented with Zn during cultivation. The concentrations of metals in roots and straw of both varieties of wheat decreased in the order of K>Fe>Na>Zn>Cr>Rb>As>Co. Concentrations of As, Co and Cr in root, straw and spike of both varieties were higher than the permissible limits with exception of a few samples. The concentrations of Zn in root, straw and spike were relatively low (4–30 mg/kg) indicating the deficiency of an essential micronutrient Zn in wheat cultivated in Portugal. The elemental transfer from soil to plant decreases with increasing growth of the plant. The concentrations of various metals in different parts of wheat followed the order: Root>Straw>Spike. A few root, straw and spike samples showed enrichment of metals, but the majority of the samples showed no enrichment. Potassium is enriched in all samples of root, straw and spike for both varieties of wheat. Relatively to the seed used for cultivation, Jordão presented higher transfer coefficients than Marialva, in particular for Co, Fe, and Na. The Jordão and Marialva cultivars accumulated not statistically significant different concentrations of different metals. The advantages of using INAA are the multielementality, low detection limits and use of solid samples (no need of digestion).

Indoor school environment: easy and low cost to assess inorganic pollutants

Total particulate matter (TPM) was passively collected inside two classrooms of each of five elementary schools in Lisbon, Portugal. TPM was collected in polycarbonate filters with a 47 mm diameter, placed inside of uncovered plastic petri dishes. The sampling period was from 19 May to 22 June 2009 (35 days exposure) and the collected TPM masses varied between 0.2 mg and 0.8 mg. The major elements were Ca, Fe, Na, K, and Zn at μg level, while others were at ng level. Pearson′s correlation coefficients above 0.75 (a high degree of correlation) were found between several elements. Soil-related, traffic soil re-suspension and anthropogenic emission sources could be identified. Blackboard chalk was also identified through Ca large presence. Some of the determined chemical elements are potential carcinogenic. Quality control of the results showed good agreement as confirmed by the application of u-score test.

Fungi, bacteria and pollens seasonally quantified at 3 basic schools in Lisbon: evaluation of ventilation need

Nowadays, most individuals spend about 80% of their time indoor and, consequently, the exposure to the indoor environment becomes more relevant than to the outdoor one. Children spend most of their time at home and at school and evaluations of their indoor environment are important for the time-weighted exposure. Due to their airways still in development, children are a sensitive group with higher risk than adults. Larger impact in health and educational performance of children demand indoor air quality studies of schools. The aim of this study was to assess the children exposure to bioaerosols. A methodology based upon passive sampling was applied to evaluate fungi, bacteria and pollens; its procedures and applicability was optimized. An indoor air study by passive sampling represents an easier and cheaper method when comparing with the use of automatic active samplers. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve important quality information without interfering in the classroom activities. The study was conducted in three schools, representative of different environments in the Lisbon urban area, at three different periods of the year to obtain a seasonal variation, to estimate the variability through the city and to understand the underneath causes. Fungi and bacteria were collected indoor and outdoor of the classrooms to determine the indoor/outdoor ratios and to assess the level of outdoor contamination upon the indoor environment. The children's exposure to pollen grains inside the classrooms was also assessed.

Indoor air quality in primary schools

Clean air is a basic requirement of life. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the object of several studies due to an increasing concern within the scientific community on the effects of indoor air quality upon health, especially as people tend to spend more time indoors than outdoors. The quality of air inside homes, offices, schools or other private and public buildings is an essential determinant of healthy life and people’s well-being. People can be exposed to contaminants by inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. In the past, scientists have paid much attention to the study of exposure to outdoor air contaminants, because they have realised the seriousness of outdoor air pollution problems. However, each indoor microenvironment has unique characteristics, determined by the local outdoor air, specific building characteristics and indoor activities. Indeed, hazardous substances are emitted from buildings, construction materials and indoor equipment or due to human activities indoors.

Efeitos do fumo ambiental no trato respiratório inferior de crianças com até 5 anos de idade

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação do fumo passivo com morbidade respiratória em crianças abaixo de 5 anos de idade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal incluindo 1.104 crianças abaixo de 5 anos de idade residentes na cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará. Por meio de um questionário com os pais das crianças, foram obtidas informações sobre sintomas e doenças respiratórias, história familiar de morbidade respiratória, presença de fumantes nas casas e condições de moradia. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 546 meninas e 558 meninos. Das 611 crianças fumantes passivas, 82% tinham problemas respiratórios ("odds ratio" = 1,64; IC 95%:1,21-2,20). As queixas respiratórias mais freqüentes foram: chiado no peito ("odds ratio" =1,66; IC 95%: 1,21-2,27), dispnéia ("odds ratio"=1,91; IC 95%:1,36-2,67), tosse e/ou expectoração("odds ratio" =1,58; IC 95%: 1,13-2,84). A chance de apresentar asma, bronquite ou pneumonia foi maior para as crianças fumantes passivas ("odds ratio" =1,60; IC 95%: 1.11-2.31). CONCLUSÕES: Os principais fatores de risco com chance de predizer morbidade respiratória em crianças com idade de 0 a 5 anos foram: crianças que conviviam com mães fumantes, pais fumantes, presença de mofo em casa, historia familiar de asma ou rinite.

Genotoxicity biomarkers: application in histopathology laboratories

Most cancers results from man-made and natural environmental exposures (such as tobacco smoke; chemical pollutants in air, water, food, drugs; radon; and infectious agents) acting in concert with both genetic and acquired characteristics. It has been estimated that without these environmental factors, cancer incidence would be dramatically reduced, by as much as 80%-90%. The modulation of environmental factors by host susceptibility was rarely evaluated. However, within the past few years, the interaction between environmental factors and host susceptibility factors has become a very active area of research. Molecular biology as a tool for use in epidemiological studies has significant potential in strengthening the identification of cancers associated with environmental exposures related to lifestyle, occupation, or ambient pollution. In molecular epidemiology, laboratory methods are employed to document the molecular basis and preclinical effects of environmental carcinogenesis. Molecular epidemiology has become a major field of research and considerable progress has been made in validation and application of biomarkers and its greatest contribution has been the insights provided into interindividual variation in human cancer risk and the complex interactions between environmental factors and host susceptibility factors, both inherited and acquired, in the multistage process of carcinogenesis.

Marcadores sorológicos de hepatite B em indivíduos submetidos a exames de sangue em unidades de saúde

OBJETIVO: Estudar aspectos da epidemiologia da hepatite B em pessoas submetidas à coleta de sangue em unidades de saúde. MÉTODOS: Indivíduos dos quais se coletou sangue em unidades de saúde de Ribeirão Preto, independentemente do motivo, foram solicitados a fornecer uma quantidade adicional de material, obtida no momento da coleta e submetida à detecção de marcadores de hepatite B. Simultaneamente, por meio de questionário padronizado, foram obtidas informações de possíveis fatores de risco para a doença. Os dados foram analisados por meio de um modelo de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: As prevalências de HBsAg e de anti-HBcAg foram de 0,3% e 13,9%, respectivamente. Os fatores de risco associados à infecção foram: idade, residência na cidade há menos de um ano, antecedente de hepatite, exposição prévia a casas de correção e homo/bissexualismo masculino. CONCLUSÕES: Devido a dificuldades crescentes de obtenção de sangue de indivíduos sadios, essa pode ser uma alternativa para estudos que objetivem fornecer informações sobre a circulação de agentes infecciosos na população. Embora não se possa generalizar os dados obtidos pela metodologia usada, ela traz conhecimento referente à circulação do vírus de hepatite B.

Exposição ocupacional a formaldeído: avaliação da exposição e efeitos genotóxicos

O formaldeído (FA) foi classificado, em 2004, pela International Agency for Cancer Research como agente cancerígeno. Este agente químico ocupa a 25ª posição em toda a produção química dos Estados Unidos da América, com mais de 5 milhões de toneladas produzidas por ano. Devido à sua importância económica e uso diversificado, muitos indivíduos estão expostos profissionalmente a FA. Com o estudo desenvolvido pretendeu‑se avaliar a exposição a FA em dois contextos ocupacionais distintos – na produção de FA e resinas e em laboratórios de anatomia patológica (AP) e relacionar com eventuais efeitos para a saúde, comparando a frequência de micronúcleos (MN) em linfócitos do sangue periférico e em células esfoliadas da mucosa bucal dos trabalhadores expostos a FA com indivíduos não expostos (controlos). Como amostra foram estudados 80 trabalhadores ocupacionalmente expostos a FA: 30 trabalhadores da fábrica de produção de FA e resinas e 50 trabalhadores de 10 laboratórios de AP. Foi constituído um grupo controlo de 85 indivíduos com atividades profissionais que não envolviam a exposição a formaldeído ou qualquer outro agente químico com propriedades genotóxicas. Aplicaram‑se duas metodologias distintas de avaliação ambiental do FA com o objetivo de conhecer a exposição profissional. Compararam‑se os resultados obtidos com os valores limite para a exposição média ponderada (TLV‑TWA=0,75 ppm) e para a concentração máxima (VLE‑CM=0,3 ppm). A totalidade dos laboratórios apresentou resultados superiores ao valor de referência existente para a concentração máxima. Nenhum dos resultados obtidos para a exposição média ponderada foi superior ao valor de referência. O exame macroscópico obteve os valores das concentrações máximas mais elevadas em 90% dos laboratórios. Os valores de MN foram mais elevados nos indivíduos expostos a FA comparativamente com os controlos. No caso dos MN nos linfócitos, a média foi de 3,96 nos expostos e de 0,81 nos não expostos. Os MN nas células esfoliadas da boca apresentaram uma média de 0,96 nos expostos e de 0,16 nos controlos. Os resultados obtidos nesta acção de biomonitorização podem revelar‑se particularmente úteis para as organizações responsáveis em definir os níveis aceitáveis para a exposição humana a FA. ABSTRACT: Since 2004, formaldehyde (FA) has been classified by the International Agency for Cancer Research as a carcinogen. The FA ranks 25th in the overall United States chemical production, with more than 5 million tons produced each year. Due to its economic importance and varied use, many individuals are exposed to FA at their occupational settings. This study aimed to assess the exposure to FA in two occupational settings – FA production factory and pathology anatomy (PA) laboratories – and relate it to possible health effects by comparing frequency of micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes and exfoliated cells from the oral mucosa of workers exposed to FA with individuals not exposed to this agent (controls). This study was performed in 80 workers occupationally exposed to FA: 30 workers of the FA factory and 50 workers in 10 PA laboratories. The control group comprised 85 subjects without exposure. We have applied two different methodologies for environmental monitoring of FA. The results were compared with the reference to the exposure weighted average (TLV‑TWA = 0.75 ppm) and ceiling concentration (VLE‑MC = 0.3 ppm). All laboratories had results higher than the reference value to CM (1.41 ppm). None of the results obtained for the TWA exposure (0.16 ppm) were higher than the reference value. Macroscopic examination obtained the highest values of CM in 90% of laboratories. MN values were higher in individuals exposed to FA as compared to controls. As for MN in lymphocytes, the average was 3.96 in exposed compared with 0.81 in the unexposed. The MN in exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa had an average of 0.96 in exposed, compared with 0.16 in controls. The results of this biomonitoring can be particularly useful to organizations responsible for defining acceptable levels for human exposure to FA.

Grid Integration of Offshore Wind Farms Using Modular Marx Multilevel Converters

This paper proposes the use of a Modular Marx Multilevel Converter, as a solution for energy integration between an offshore Wind Farm and the power grid network. The Marx modular multilevel converter is based on the Marx generator, and solves two typical problems in this type of multilevel topologies: modularity and dc capacitor voltage balancing. This paper details the strategy for dc capacitor voltage equalization. The dynamic models of the converter and power grid are presented in order to design the converter ac output voltages and the dc capacitor voltage controller. The average current control is presented and used for power flow control, harmonics and reactive power compensation. Simulation results are presented in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed (MC)-C-3 topology.

Homeopatia e fitoterapia: crenças e consumo dos estudantes da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa

Medicinas complementares e alternativas (MCA): cada vez mais utilizadas, em paralelo com a medicina convencional (MC) e 80% das pessoas no mundo já usaram alguma terapia das MCA. Insatisfação relativa à MC: preço elevado da assistência médica privada; alto custo dos medicamentos; precariedade da assistência prestada pelos serviços públicos. Crenças positivas sobre MCA: tão eficazes como a MC; se correctamente utilizadas, não ocasionam efeitos colaterais prejudiciais; mais compatíveis com valores pessoais e filosofias religiosas do que MC. Utilização das MCA: mais utilizadas (homeopatia e fitoterapia); tratamento e controlo de doenças crónicas. Objectivo do estudo: caracterizar as crenças sobre homeopatia e fitoterapia e os comportamentos de consumo dos estudantes da ESTeSL, enquanto consumidores e futuros profissionais de saúde.

Language and trade: the (new) route of portuguese in the 21st century

Globalisation has eliminated frontiers and in the case of Europe helped the crossing of borders and changed forever the concept of social (and I would also say individual) geography: the rest of the world is out there; we can pretend not to see it, but we cannot avoid it. Moreover, Europe is undergoing a serious crisis, also economic, and new markets and business partners are welcome. In this context, cultural bonds like a common language can open new investment paths and give rise to successful stories. In this paper we intend to present an example of how low linguistic distance can lead to good business, even if a) in the internationalization process of the companies’ language is often forgotten as a management element and b) consumers of language products (like User Guides) are also not stimulating investment in language by the companies. Through the results of 2 studies carried out in 2010 and 2011 we will show how a pluricentric language like Portuguese is managed in multinational companies (MC) and Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs). The second study is based on an online survey questioning the effectiveness, efficiency and general quality of User Guides and the reaction of consumers to language. Results show that although playing a role in the internationalization process of companies in the same linguistic space, language is opportunistically used. On the other hand, Portuguese and Brazilian consumers show a very functional perception of the Portuguese language...

Matrix Converter-Based Unified Power-Flow Controllers: Advanced Direct Power Control Method

This paper presents a direct power control (DPC) for three-phase matrix converters operating as unified power flow controllers (UPFCs). Matrix converters (MCs) allow the direct ac/ac power conversion without dc energy storage links; therefore, the MC-based UPFC (MC-UPFC) has reduced volume and cost, reduced capacitor power losses, together with higher reliability. Theoretical principles of direct power control (DPC) based on sliding mode control techniques are established for an MC-UPFC dynamic model including the input filter. As a result, line active and reactive power, together with ac supply reactive power, can be directly controlled by selecting an appropriate matrix converter switching state guaranteeing good steady-state and dynamic responses. Experimental results of DPC controllers for MC-UPFC show decoupled active and reactive power control, zero steady-state tracking error, and fast response times. Compared to an MC-UPFC using active and reactive power linear controllers based on a modified Venturini high-frequency PWM modulator, the experimental results of the advanced DPC-MC guarantee faster responses without overshoot and no steady-state error, presenting no cross-coupling in dynamic and steady-state responses.

Qualidade microbiológica de leite humano obtido em banco de leite

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de microrganismos indicadores e potencialmente patogênicos que indicam as condições higiênico-sanitárias das amostras de leite humano ordenhado coletadas em banco de leite. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas de 338 amostras de leite humano ordenhado, sendo 194 de leite cru e 144, pasteurizado, coletadas em banco de leite humano de um hospital materno infantil de Goiânia, GO. As análises microbiológicas foram realizadas com semeadura em ágar Mc Conkey, de acordo com o tipo de bactéria. RESULTADOS: No leite cru, verificou-se a presença de Staphylococcus spp. Streptococcus spp., bolores e leveduras e Enterobacteriaceae. Observou-se que Staphylococcus aureus esteve presente em 10 (5,2%) amostras, Staphylococcus epidermidis em 28 (14,4%), Streptococcus spp. em três (1,6%), bolores e leveduras em 43 (22,2%) e Enterobacteriaceae em 49 (25,3%). Das 144 amostras de leite humano ordenhado pasteurizado, detectaram-se Staphylococcus aureus em cinco (3,5%), Staphylococcus epidermidis em 15 (10,4%), Staphylococcus lugdenensis em duas (1,4%), Streptococcus spp. em quatro (2,8%), bolores e leveduras em 37 (25,7%) e Enterobacteriaceae em nove (6,3%). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram um alto grau de contaminação no leite cru. No leite pasteurizado, apesar da eliminação da grande maioria de microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos, a percentagem de bolores e leveduras excedeu a de leite cru, mostrando a necessidade de obtenção de um leite com carga microbiana inicial mais baixa para que a pasteurização seja eficiente no controle microbiológico.