Air quality improvements using European environment policies: A case study of SO2 in a coastal region in Portugal

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2007

Autores

Pereira, MC (Autor) FEUP; Santos, RC (Autor) Outra; Alvim Ferraz, MCM (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A

Vol. 70

Páginas: 347-351

ISSN: 1528-7394

Editora: Taylor & Francis

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citações

Scopus - 15 Citações

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências médicas e da saúde > Ciências da saúde

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-004-C32

DOI: 10.1080/15287390600884990

Abstract (EN): The European Union (EU) has defined several efforts for preventing and controlling air pollution that have led to a generalized reduction of health risks and environmental effects. One example of these efforts was the establishment of legislation that imposed a reduction of sulfur content in fuels, switching to cleaner fuels for industry and motor vehicles (Auto-Oil Directives). The goal of this study was to evaluate the first trends in the air quality of Oporto Metropolitan Area (Oporto-MA) related to implementation of these directives in Portugal since 2000. Therefore, sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentration data from air quality monitoring sites were analyzed for the period 1999 through 2003. It was observed that daily SO2 concentrations in the industrial area are much higher than those of the urban and rural areas, reflecting the influence of the industrial sector. The annual SO2 concentrations for the consecutive years of analysis decreased considerably for all the monitoring sites. A considerable decrease in SO2 emissions was also observed for the same period. According to EU legislation, the exceedances of the SO2 recommended limit values decreased significantly. In conclusion, this analysis shows evidence that SO2 concentrations are decreasing, and that this is consistent with the implementation of the legislation and control of the sources of pollution. Nevertheless, the potential for human health risks still persists, particularly in industrialized areas. It is expected that SO2 concentration levels in ambient air of Oporto-MA will continue to decrease in the coming years, following the present European trends.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 5