Assessment of air quality in preschool environments (3-5 years old children) with emphasis on elemental composition of PM10 and PM2.5

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016-07-01

Authors

Klara Slezakova (Author) FEUP; Marta Oliveira (Author) Other; Cristina Delerue Matos (Author) Other; Maria do Carmo Pereira (Author) FEUP; Simone Morais (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Environmental Pollution

Vol. 214

Pages: 430-439

ISSN: 0269-7491

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 26 Citations

Scopus - 37 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Associated Projects

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-E4Z

DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.046

Abstract (EN): This study evaluated concentrations of main air pollutants in a Portuguese preschool (indoors/outdoors) environment, with emphasis on elemental characterization of different PM fractions, and estimated risks for the pupils (aged 3-5 years). With exception to total volatile organic compounds, levels of PM10, PM2.5, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde were below legislative guidelines. Calcium, sodium, aluminium, and potassium were the most abundant elements in indoor PM (82-84% of the analysed content) resulting mainly from crustal sources. Carcinogenic elements (1-2% of the indoor analysed content) were mostly PM2.5-bound (83-91%). Indoor-to-outdoor ratios of individual elements indicated contributions of indoor origin and from penetration of outdoor emissions indoors; trace metals were associated with ambient anthropogenic emissions (namely traffic). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from overall preschool exposure were acceptable for children; for adults carcinogenic risks exceeded (4-11 times) the USEPA recommend value of 10-6, being 8-40 times higher than for children.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10