Modelação da contribuição do tráfego automóvel para a qualidade do ar em zona industrial

A preocupação sobre a qualidade do ar nas zonas industriais confere aos estudos sobre a qualidade do ar uma importância acrescida. Este trabalho teve como objectivo saber qual a contribuição dos principais poluentes provenientes do tráfego automóvel para a qualidade do ar na zona do parque industrial da Sapec, da Península da Mitrena, concelho de Setúbal, recorrendo ao modelo meteorológico e de qualidade do ar, TAPM (The Air Pollution Model). Neste trabalho analisaram-se dados da estação de monitorização da qualidade do ar, mais próxima da zona de estudo (Subestação) por forma a caracterizar-se a zona em causa, a nível meteorológico e da qualidade do ar. Os dados metereológico desta estação também foram utilizados com o objectivo de se validar os resultados meteorológicos obtidos pelo modelo. Na avaliação da contribuição do tráfego para a qualidade do ar, recorreu-se a um estudo de tráfego realizado pela Estradas de Portugal (EP) em 2004. Este estudo realizou a contagem dos veículos que se dirigiram ao parque industrial nos dias 14 e 15 de Dezembro, num período de 24 horas. A partir dessa contagem e de factores de emissão foi possível determinar a contribuição, de cada classe de veículo, para as concentrações atmosféricas de PM10 (resultantes de processos de combustão e ressuspensão), NOx, CO e HC. A comparação entre os dados meteorológicos simulados e medidos mostram que o modelo teve um bom comportamento, isto é, as discrepâncias entre os valores simulados e medidos foram mínimas. Relativamente à contribuição de cada categoria de veículos para a qualidade do ar, verificou-se que a classe de pesados de mercadorias foi aquela que mais contribui para as emissões de PM10, NOx e HC, enquanto que para as emissões de CO foram os veículos ligeiros de passageiros que tiveram uma maior contribuição. As classes dos motociclos e ciclomotores foram aquelas que tiveram uma menor contribuição para as concentrações atmosféricas de poluentes. Comparando as emissões de PM10 provenientes dos processos de combustão e de ressuspensão conclui-se que a maior percentagem provem da ressuspensão.

Síndroma dos edifícios doentes: estudo da qualidade do ar interior e despiste da eventual existência de SED entre a população do edifício “E” de um estabelecimento de ensino superior

Mestrado em Segurança e Higiene no Trabalho.

On the assessment of exposure to airborne ultrafine particles in urban environments

The aim of this study was to contribute to the assessment of exposure levels of ultrafine particles in the urban environment of Lisbon, Portugal, due to automobile traffic, by monitoring lung deposited alveolar surface area (resulting from exposure to ultrafine particles) in a major avenue leading to the town center during late spring, as well as in indoor buildings facing it. Data revealed differentiated patterns for week days and weekends, consistent with PM2.5 and PM10 patterns currently monitored by air quality stations in Lisbon. The observed ultrafine particulate levels may be directly correlated with fluxes in automobile traffic. During a typical week, amounts of ultrafine particles per alveolar deposited surface area varied between 35 and 89.2 μm2/cm3, which are comparable with levels reported for other towns in Germany and the United States. The measured values allowed for determination of the number of ultrafine particles per cubic centimeter, which are comparable to levels reported for Madrid and Brisbane. In what concerns outdoor/indoor levels, we observed higher levels (32 to 63%) outdoors, which is somewhat lower than levels observed in houses in Ontario.

Monitoring exposure to airborne ultrafine particles in Lisbon, Portugal

The aim of this study is to contribute to the assessment of exposure levels of ultrafine particles (UFP) in the urban environment of Lisbon, Portugal, due to automobile traffic, by monitoring lung-deposited alveolar surface area (resulting from exposure to UFP) in a major avenue leading to the town centre during late Spring, as well as in indoor buildings facing it. This study revealed differentiated patterns for week days and weekends, consistent with PM(2.5) and PM(10) patterns currently monitored by air quality stations in Lisbon. The observed ultrafine particulate levels could be directly related with the fluxes of automobile traffic. During a typical week, UFP alveolar deposited surface area varied between 35.0 and 89.2 µm(2)/cm(3), which is comparable with levels reported for other towns such in Germany and United States. The measured values allowed the determination of the number of UFP per cm(3), which are comparable to levels reported for Madrid and Brisbane. In what concerns outdoor/indoor levels, we observed higher levels (32-63%) outdoor, which is somewhat lower than levels observed in houses in Ontario.

Occupational exposure to aflatoxin (AFB1) in poultry production

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been recognized to produce cancer in human liver. In addition, epidemiological and laboratory studies demonstrated that the respiratory system was a target for AFB1. Exposure occurs predominantly through the food chain, but inhalation represents an additional route of exposure. The present study aimed to examine AFB1 exposure among poultry workers in Portugal. Blood samples were collected from a total of 31 poultry workers from six poultry farms. In addition, a control group (n = 30) was included comprised of workers who undertook administrative tasks. Measurement of AFB1 in serum was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For examining fungi contamination, air samples were collected through an impaction method. Air sampling was obtained in pavilion interior and outside the premises, since this was the place regarded as the reference location. Using molecular methods, toxicogenic strains (aflatoxin-producing) were investigated within the group of species belonging to Aspergillus flavus complex. Eighteen poultry workers (59%) had detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to4.23 ng/ml and with a mean value of 2 ± 0.98ng/ml. AFB1 was not detected in the serum sampled from any of the controls. Aspergillus flavus was the fungal species third most frequently found in the indoor air samples analyzed (7.2%) and was the most frequently isolated species in air samples containing only Aspergillus genus (74.5%). The presence of aflatoxigenic strains was only confirmed in outdoor air samples from one of the units, indicating the presence of a source inside the building in at least one case. Data indicate that AFB1 inhalation represents an additional risk in this occupational setting that needs to be recognized, assessed, and prevented.

Geoquímica de radionuclídeos naturais e biomonitoramento em área de mineração de carvão no sul do Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fungal contamination in swine: a potential occupational health threat

Poor air quality in a pig-confinement building may potentially place farmers at higher health risk than other workers for exposure to airborne pollutants that may reach infectious levels. The aim of this study was to assess worker exposure to fungi in indoor environments in Portuguese swine buildings. Air samples from 7 swine farms were collected at a flow rate of 140 L/min, at 1 m height, onto malt extract agar supplemented with chloramphenicol (MEA). Surfaces samples of the same indoor sites were obtained by swabbing the surfaces. Samples from the floor covering were also collected from four of seven swine farms. All collected samples were incubated at 27°C for 5-7 days. After lab processing and incubation of obtained samples, quantitative colony-forming units (CFU)/m(3), CFU/cm(2), and CFU/g and qualitative results were determined with identification of isolated fungal species. Aspergillus versicolor was the most frequent species found in air (21%), followed by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (17%) and Penicillium sp. (14%). Aspergillus versicolor was also the most frequent species noted on surfaces (26.6%), followed by Cladosporium sp. (22.4%) and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (17.5%). Chrysosporium was the most frequently found genera in the new floor covering (38.5%), while Mucor was the most prevalent genera (25.1%) in used floor covering. Our findings corroborate a potential occupational health threat due to fungi exposure and suggest the need for a preventive strategy.

Exposure to particles in Portuguese swine production

Several studies have shown that human exposures to airbome dust and microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, can cause respiratory diseases. Agricultural workers have been found to be at high risk of exposures to airborne particles. From a human health perspective dust exposure in pig farming is the most important risk because of the large number of workers needed in pig production and the increasing number of working hours inside enclosed buildings. In the pig buildings, particulate matters like dust play a role in not only deteriorating indoor air quality but also can cause an adverse health effect on workers. Generally, dust is recognized to adsorb and transport odorous compounds and biological agents. The aim of this study was to determine particles contamination in 7 swine farms located in Lisbon district, Portugal.

Caracterização da prática do fisioterapeuta na sua intervenção em crianças até um ano de idade com torcicolo muscular congénito

Mestrado em Fisioterapia.

Estudo da desgaseificação difusa no Vulcão das Furnas (Ilha de S. Miguel) : o caso do ²²²Rn

Dissertação de Mestrado, Vulcanologia e Riscos Geológicos, 20 de Fevereiro de 2008, Universidade dos Açores.

Estudo da transferência das cloraminas da água para o ar duma piscina coberta

Mestrado em Engenharia Química

Optimization, high availability and redundancy in information communications and technology using networks and systems virtualization architectures

Mestrado em Engenharia Informática

Contribuição para a aplicação de um plano de segurança de água ao sistema de abastecimento do concelho de Angra do Heroísmo

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia do Ambiente

Mould and yeast identification in archival settings: preliminary results on the use of traditional methods and molecular biology options in Portuguese archives

This project was developed to fully assess the indoor air quality in archives and libraries from a fungal flora point of view. It uses classical methodologies such as traditional culture media – for the viable fungi – and modern molecular biology protocols, especially relevant to assess the non-viable fraction of the biological contaminants. Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) has emerged as an alternative to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and has already been applied to the study of a few bacterial communities. We propose the application of DHPLC to the study of fungal colonization on paper-based archive materials. This technology allows for the identification of each component of a mixture of fungi based on their genetic variation. In a highly complex mixture of microbial DNA this method can be used simply to study the population dynamics, and it also allows for sample fraction collection, which can, in many cases, be immediately sequenced, circumventing the need for cloning. Some examples of the methodological application are shown. Also applied is fragment length analysis for the study of mixed Candida samples. Both of these methods can later be applied in various fields, such as clinical and sand sample analysis. So far, the environmental analyses have been extremely useful to determine potentially pathogenic/toxinogenic fungi such as Stachybotrys sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Fusarium sp. This work will hopefully lead to more accurate evaluation of environmental conditions for both human health and the preservation of documents.

Relatório de estágio em gabinete de engenharia na componente de climatização

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica com especialização em Energia, Climatização e Refrigeração