Identification of regions with high ozone concentrations aiming the impact assessment on childhood asthma

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Sousa, SIV (Author) FEUP; Pereira, MMC (Author) FEUP; Martins, FG (Author) FEUP; Alvim Ferraz, CM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment (HERA)

Vol. 14

Pages: 610-622

ISSN: 1080-7039

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 13 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-3DH

DOI: 10.1080/10807030802074147

Abstract (EN): High concentrations of near-surface ozone are known to have negative impacts on human health, especially among risk groups such as persons with respiratory problems, children, and the elderly. The aim of this work was to identify regions with high ozone concentrations and very low concentrations of other pollutants, where further studies will be performed regarding the specific impact of ozone on childhood asthma. For that, the concentrations of ozone and of its precursors at remote areas were assessed and compared with those observed at an urban area influenced by traffic. Measurements using passive samplers were compared with those performed with continuous monitors and it was possible to conclude that measurements with passive samplers had satisfactory reproducibility and precision. For O-3, the comparison of both methods showed a maximum absolute difference of +4.10 mu g.m(-3) and relative differences lower than -8.8%. The maximum absolute difference for NO2 was +5.2 mu g.m(-3) and the relative differences were greater than 12% only for very low concentrations (2-3 mu g.m(-3)). Comparing with one urban site, the results obtained at remote sites showed significantly lower concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (12 to 20 times) and volatile organic compounds (2 to 8 times) and greater ozone concentrations (2 to 3 times). It was inferred that the lower concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were the main reason for the greater ozone concentrations found at the remote sites. The remote areas studied showed very high ozone concentrations and very low concentrations of other pollutants, being an adequate zone to perform further studies regarding the specific impact of ozone on childhood asthma without the confounding effects of other pollutants.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13