Efeitos adversos das emissões geradas pela queima da cana-de-açúcar representa um problema que afeta principalmente os países em desenvolvimento. Estudos prévios têm demonstrado que, durante o período de queima, há um aumento das admissões hospitalares e atendimentos de emergência nas cidades do Brasil próximas às plantações de cana. Entretanto, até o momento, não há estudos que avaliaram os efeitos sobre a superfície ocular. O presente trabalho avalia o impacto causado pela queima da cana sobre a superfície ocular em cortadores de cana e na população da região de Tatuí-SP. Vinte e dois cortadores de cana e dezenove voluntários do perímetro urbano de Tatuí-SP, localizada no Estado de São Paulo, foram recrutados para o estudo. Medidas ambientais das concentrações de material particulado de 2,5 Vm (MP2,5), temperatura e umidade foram mensuradas durante os períodos de queima e entresafra. Ao mesmo tempo, avaliações histológicas e clínicas da superfície ocular, tais como, citologia de impressão da região tarsal, tempo de rotura do filme lacrimal (TRFL), teste de Schirmer I, colorações vitais por rosa bengala e fluoresceína, biomicroscopia e sintomas oculares foram realizadas durante os dois períodos. Níveis de MP2,5 durante a atividade de corte da cana queimada foi 3,5 vezes mais elevados do que o limite de 25Vg/m3 sugerido pelo órgão de regulamentação. Nas avaliações oculares, observamos que os valores médios das áreas coradas por ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) das amostras dos cortadores foram menores durante o período de queima (57±6,8%) do que na entresafra (64,3±12%; p=0,014) e quando comparadas com as amostras dos voluntários da cidade (63,9±6.8%; p=0,009). Modelo de regressão não-linear revela uma forte associação entre os valores médios das áreas PAS positivas e os anos de trabalho no corte da cana queimada. Detectamos um aumento nas áreas PAS positivas conforme os anos de trabalho acumulados no corte da cana queimada durante o período da entresafra (r=0,99; p=0,015). Teste de Schirmer I revela uma diminuição dos valores conforme os anos de trabalho no corte da cana queimada observados durante o período de queima. (r=0,99; p=0,026). Valores médios de TRFL dos cortadores de cana durante o periodo de queima (6,48±3.47s) foram menores do que na entresafra (10,16±7,79) e quando comparadas com o TRFL dos voluntários da cidade (8,6±4,6s; p<0,05). Não houve diferenças estatísticas em relação às outras variáveis oculares. Nossos resultados sugerem que a exposição sazonal às altas concentrações das emissões geradas pela queima da cana-de-açúcar pode causar efeitos tóxicos sobre a mucosa epitelial e afetar a estabilidade do filme lacrimal, permitindo que o epitélio torne-se menos protegido aos agentes deletérios. Por outro lado, a exposição crônica às emissões da cana parece induzir uma resposta adaptativa do epitélio ocular, associado a um aumento da densidade de muco para compensar a perda de células caliciformes durante o período da queima, todos os anos. Em conclusão, esses achados reforçam a importância de futuras investigações para melhor compreender as consequências da poluição atmosférica sobre a superfície ocular e sugere medidas para proteção da superfície ocular durante este período. / The adverse effects of particle emissions produced by sugar cane burning represent a problem that affects mostly developing countries. Previous studies have shown that, during the burning period, there is an increase in respiratory hospital admissions and emergency room visits in communities surrounded by sugar cane plantations in rural cities of Brazil. However, until this date, no previous studies have evaluated the effects on the ocular surface. The aim of the present work is to study the impact of the sugar cane burning on the ocular surface of cane workers and the people at the city of Tatuí, near the burning crops. Twenty-two healthy sugar cane workers and nineteen volunteers from Tatuí region located at the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were recruited to the study. Measurements of the average concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 Vm, temperature and humidity were done during the burning and non-burning periods. Concurrently, histological and clinical assessments of the ocular surface such as, inferior tarsal impression cytology, tear film break-up time, Schirmer´s I test, fluorescein and rose bengal staining, biomicroscopy and eye irritation symptoms were evaluated during the two periods. PM2.5 exposure levels in the crops during the activity of burnt cane cutting were 3.5-fold higher than the suggest limit of 25Vg/m3 proposed by governmental regulation. On ocular assessments, we observed that the average of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive areas of sugar cane workers samples were lower during the burning (mean 57%, SD 6.8) than the non-burning period (mean 64.3%, SD 12; p=0.014) and the downtown volunteers samples (mean 63.9%, SD 6.8; p=0.009). A non-linear regression model reveals a strong relationship between average PAS positive areas and years working in sugar cane harvesting. We noticed an increase in PAS positive areas as long as the years accumulated in sugar cane harvesting labor during non-burning period (r=0.99, p=0.015). Schirmer test t reveals impairment at the values across the years of labour in sugar cane harvesting observed during the burning period (r=0.99, p=0.026). Mean TBUT values of sugar cane workers during the burning period (mean 6.48s; SD 3.47) were lower than non-burning period (mean 10.16s; SD 7.79) and than TBUT of the volunteers of downtown (mean 8.6s, SD 4.6; p<0.05). There were no statistically differences among the groups for the other ocular variables. Our results suggest that seasonal exposition of higher concentrations of emissions generated by sugar cane burning may cause toxic effects on the mucosal epithelium and affect tear film stability that may leave underlying ocular epithelium less protected to harmful agents. On the other hand, chronic occupational exposure to sugar cane emissions during harvest may induce an adaptive response of ocular epithelium associated with an increase of mucus density in order to compensate loss of goblet cells every year during burning period. In conclusion, these findings reinforce the importance for further investigations to better understanding the consequences of air pollution on the ocular surface and suggest procedures to protect ocular surface during this period.

A artrite idiopática juvenil (AIJ) constitui um grupo heterogêneo de doenças que se caracteriza por inflamação crônica em uma ou mais articulações, com diagnóstico em menores de 16 anos de idade. A poluição atmosférica tem sido responsabilizada pelo aumento da morbidade e mortalidade em doenças cardiorrespiratórias, mas poucos estudos avaliaram os efeitos da exposição prolongada sobre doenças inflamatórias crônicas. Alguns estudos demonstram associação entre fumo e início da doença reumatológica em adultos e outros mostram associação de mães fumantes durante a gravidez com desenvolvimento de AIJ nos filhos. Entretanto, existem poucos estudos na literatura avaliando a exposição à poluição do ar e AIJ. Objetivo: avaliar a influência de poluentes ambientais inalatórios como fatores de risco no desenvolvimento da AIJ em pacientes residentes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, acompanhados em um serviço terciário de Reumatologia Pediátrica. Metodologia: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo, do tipo caso-controle, que incluiu 66 pacientes com AIJ e 124 controles saudáveis, semelhantes em idade e gênero, residentes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, desde a gestação até o diagnóstico da doença. Um questionário estruturado e com alto índice de confiabilidade (índice kappa para teste-reteste 0,80) avaliou dados demográficos, fatores relacionados à gestação e ao período perinatal, exposição ocupacional materna durante a gravidez a partículas inaláveis e/ou vapor volátil, exposição ao tabaco e exposição à inalação ambiental durante a gravidez e após o nascimento (presença de atividades industriais, pedreiras ou postos de gasolina perto do domiícilio/ trabalho/ creche/ escola). Foram também analisados poluentes troposféricos nos dois períodos: material particulado (PM10), dióxido de enxofre (SO2), dióxido de nitrogênio (NO2), ozônio (O3) e monóxido de carbono (CO). Resultados: Durante a gravidez, o fumo fetal (OR= 3,43, IC 95%: 1,45-8,12, p=0,005) e a exposição ocupacional materna (OR= 13,69, IC95%: 4,43-42,27, p < 0,001) se mostraram fatores de risco independentes para AIJ. Em contrapartida, o fato de a mãe trabalhar fora de casa (OR= 0,06, IC 95%: 0,02- 0,16, p < 0,001) e o ganho de peso ideal da mãe (OR = 0,36, IC 95%: 0,16-0,83, p= 0,017) apresentaram associação negativa. Para o período após o nascimento até o diagnóstico de AIJ, fumo passivo (OR= 3,6, IC 95%: 1,76- 7,31, p < 0,0001) e exposição ao ozônio durante o segundo ano de idade (OR= 2,76, IC 95%: 1,20-6,37, p= 0,017) foram fatores de risco independentes e significativos para o diagnóstico da AIJ. Conclusão: O fumo passivo, a exposição ao ozônio no segundo ano de vida e a exposição ocupacional materna são destacados como importantes fatores de risco para a AIJ / Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation in one or more joints with onset in children under 16 years of age. Air pollution has been blamed for increased morbidity and mortality in cardiorespiratory diseases, but few studies have evaluated the effects of prolonged exposure on chronic inflammatory diseases. Some studies show an association between smoking and onset of rheumatologic illness in adults, and others show an association of smoking mothers during pregnancy with the development of JIA in children. However, there are few studies in the literature to date evaluating exposure to air pollution and JIA. Objective: To evaluate the influence of exposure to inhalable environmental factors during pregnancy and after birth until JIA diagnosis in residents of the São Paulo metropolitan area. Methods: Case-control study comprising 66 JIA patients and 124 healthy controls matched by age and gender, living in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area until JIA diagnosis, and whose mothers had resided in this region during pregnancy. A structured and reliable questionnaire (kappa index for test-retest was 0.80) assessed demographic data, gestational and perinatal-related factors, mothers\' work-related exposure during pregnancy to inhalable particles and / or volatile vapor, exposure to inhalable elements during pregnancy and after birth (work-related exposure to inhalable particles and/or volatile vapor, exposure to tobacco and the presence of industrial activities, quarries or gas stations near the home/ work/ daycare/ school). Tropospheric pollutants included: particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO). Results: During pregnancy, fetal smoking (OR=3.43, 95%CI: 1.45-8.12, p=0.005) and mothers\' work-related exposure (OR=13.69, 95%CI: 4.43-42.27, p < 0.001) were independent significant risk factors for JIA diagnosis. In contrast, working mother (OR=0.06, 95% IC: 0.02-0.16, p < 0.001) and ideal mother weight gain (OR=0.36, 95% IC:0.16-0.83, p=0.017) presented a negative association. After birth until JIA diagnosis, secondhand smoking (OR=3.6, 95% IC: 1.76-7.31, p < 0.0001) and exposure to O3 during the second year of age (OR=2.76, 95% IC: 1.20-6.37, p=0.017) were independent and significant risk factors for JIA diagnosis. Conclusion: Secondhand smoking, exposure to O3 during the second year of age and mothers\' work-related exposure are highlighted as important risk factors to JIA

Positive associations between short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution and cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality have been established in epidemiologic studies. However, scientific uncertainties remain regarding which PM constituents and sources are most harmful to the exposed population. While tentative evidence of positive links between certain PM constituents and sources with specific health outcomes exists, significant heterogeneity in study findings remains. The chemical composition and emission source of air pollution vary not only temporally, but also geographically. Thus, substantial research on these characteristics under different atmospheres (e.g., Asian atmosphere) is warranted to enhance our understanding of PM-related health effects. / In Hong Kong, air pollution levels often exceed the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines, posing serious public health threat. Although two decades of active research have associated PM mass (weights) concentration in Hong Kong with elevated risk of daily mortality and emergency hospital admissions, individual chemical constituents and sources responsible for the adverse health effects associated with PM mass have rarely been examined. This thesis attempted to reduce the current scientific uncertainty by making use of the speciation data for PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM₁₀) to examine the associations between chemical constituents and daily cardio-respiratory emergency hospital admissions in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2008. It also capitalized on Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) source apportionment model to create an alternative measure of PM concentrations that quantified the relative contribution of PM₁₀ sources. This enabled the assessment of health risks associated with exposure to particle mixture from specific sources. / Time-series analyses conducted in this work showed evidence of positive links of emergency hospitalizations with multiple PM₁₀ constituents for various exposure lags examined. In multipollutant models adjusting for gaseous co-pollutants, three groups of constituents were significantly associated with increased risk of cause-specific hospitalizations. They included: combustion-related constituents (i.e., elemental carbon, organic matter, potassium ion, manganese, nitrate ion, arsenic, lead), sea salt-related constituents (i.e., sodium ion, chloride ion, magnesium), and constituents related to soil/road dust (i.e., aluminum, iron). Significant associations were most evident between November to April. PMF model identified eight PM₁₀ sources: 1) vehicle exhaust, 2) soil/road dust, 3) regional combustion, 4) residual oil, 5) fresh sea salt, 6) aged sea salt, 7) secondary nitrate, and 8) secondary sulfate. Health effect analysis demonstrated that all PM₁₀ sources, except fresh sea salt, were positively associated with emergency hospitalizations. Combustion-related sources were positively associated with risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations at shorter cumulative lags than with respiratory hospitalization. Sources that primarily generate coarser particles (i.e., soil/road dust and aged sea salt) were linked to respiratory hospitalizations at shorter cumulative lags than combustion sources that emit fine particles, which were associated with respiratory hospitalization at delayed cumulative lags. / This work may help prioritize future toxicological research on the biologic mechanisms linking PM pollution to cardio-respiratory health. It also stresses the importance of regulation and reduction of traffic and other combustion-related emissions, reconfiguration of urban environment to reduce personal exposure to traffic emissions, as well as establishment of a coordinated and robust regional-scale air quality management plan. Constituent- and source-based air quality standards and policy strategies should be considered, supplementary to standards for total PM mass (e.g., PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), to effectively protect the population from air pollution mixture. For example, policy measures aiming at controlling anthropogenic sources of coarse particles (e.g., soil/road dust, precursor gases for atmospheric conversion of aged sea salt) should be advisable. / 以往流行病學研究已經建立大氣懸浮顆粒（PM）污染短期暴露和心血管﹑呼吸系統疾病的發病率以及死亡率之間的關聯，但仍然不能確定究竟那種PM化學成分和排放源對暴露人群最有害。初步證據已經顯示了個別PM化學成分和排放源與某些疾病的相關聯，但是，現今研究結果之間依然存在顯著差異。此外，顆粒污染物的化學成分和排放源會隨地理空間不同而變化，因此有必要在不同地域的大氣環境下（如亞洲）進行研究，從而提高我們對PM影響健康的認識。 / 香港的空氣質量常超過世界衛生組織規定的可接受空氣質量標準，空氣污染已經成為一個嚴重的公共衛生問題。香港二十年的空氣污染研究已顯示PM質量濃度會增加死亡率和緊急入院的風險，然而仍然缺乏PM化學成分和排放源對健康影響的研究。本港環境保護署擁有十多年連續測量的可吸入懸浮粒子（PM₁₀）成分數據，因此本論文利用這數據與公共衛生數據來填補這個學術空白。具體的，本論文探索香港2001年至2008年間的PM化學成分與期間每日心血管和呼吸系統緊急入院的關聯。本論文還利用正交矩陣因子分解法（PMF），即大氣顆粒物的源解析技術，進行顆粒源分離，已建立替代單元以分別代表PM₁₀不同排放源的相對貢獻建立一個替代措施量化PM₁₀的成分中不同來源相對的貢獻，最終評估暴露於特定來源的PM₁₀混合成分的健康風險。 / 本文中的時間序列分析研究結果表明緊急入院率與多個PM化學成分在不同的暴露滯後時間上均存在正關聯。本論文的多種污染物時間序列的模型對氣體的共污染性進行了控制，研究發現以下三种顆粒物對某些具體疾病的緊急入院風險有顯著增加︰燃燒有關的顆粒（即︰碳元素，有機物，鉀離子，錳，硝酸根離子，砷，鉛），與海鹽有關的顆粒（即︰鈉離子，氯離子，鎂），以及與土壤/道路粉塵有關的顆粒（即︰鋁，鐵），這種相關性在寒冷的季節更為明顯（即每年的11月至4月）。PMF鑑定了八個PM₁₀的排放源或排放組合，包括︰1）汽車排氣，2）土壤/道路粉塵，3）區域燃燒產物，4）渣油，5）鮮海鹽，6）陳海鹽，7）二次硝酸鹽，和8）二次硫酸鹽。分析發現，除鮮海鹽外，其他PM₁₀的排放源與緊急入院呈正關係。研究顯示與燃燒有關的排放源能增加即時因心血管疾病緊急入院的風險，而主要含有粗顆粒的排放源能增加即時呼吸系統疾病緊急入院的風險，且在作用時間上比燃燒排放源（主要含有細顆粒）的危害更快。 / 本論文所提供的研究成果有助於重新定位未來有關空氣污染與心肺健康的生物學機制毒理學研究方向。研究結果強調監管和降低交通以及其他有關燃燒排放的重要性，利用合理城市環境結構及配置來減少居民暴露交通空氣污染的風險，以及建立區域性的空氣質量管理計劃。此外，本研究還建議除了PM質量濃度（如PM₁₀和PM₂.₅）的空氣質量標準以外，針對PM化學成分和排放源的空氣質量標準也應加以考慮，以有效地保護居民免受空氣污染的危害，例如，應考慮有關粗顆粒（如土壤/道路麈和前驅氣體）的人為來源的政策措施。 / Pun, Chit. / Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-133). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 18, October, 2016). / Pun, Chit. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

L'objectiu d'aquest tesi és avaluar els diferents passos en el camí que va des de l'exposició a contaminants atmosfèrics/PAHs fins a la malaltia, el càncer de bufeta urinària. Es van mesurar partícules ultrafines a Barcelona. S'ha avaluat l'exposició a contaminació atmosfèrica en un estudi cas-control, recollint informació sobre la història residencial incloent diversos indicadors de l'exposició a contaminació atmosfèrica i altres factors de risc potencials. Es va dur a terme una revisió sistemàtica de la literatura per avaluar si els nivells de metabòlits del pirè i els aductes d'ADN i de proteïnes es correlacionaven amb nivells baixos d'exposició a PAHs. Vam mesurar els nivells d'aductes d'ADN en un subgrup d'individus de l'estudi cas-control amb la tècnica del radioetiquetatge amb fòsfor-32, tractament de la nucleasa P1. Vam analitzar 22 SNPs en set gens de la via de reparació de l'ADN per excisió de nucleòtids. / The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the different steps in the pathway from exposure (air-contaminants/PAHs) to disease (bladder cancer). We measured ultrafine particles in Barcelona. We evaluated the exposure to air pollutants in a case-control study, collecting information on the residential history with proxies for exposure to air pollution and other potential risk factors. We did a systematic review of the literature to evaluate if pyrene metabolites and DNA and protein adducts are correlated with low level exposure to PAHs. We measured bulky DNA adducts in a subgroup of subjects of the case-control study using 32P-Postlabeling, nuclease P1 treatment. We analyzed 22 SNPs in 7 genes of the nucleotide excision repair pathway.

In India, with the increase in the number of industries and vehicles the environment is getting more and more polluted. More than industries it is the rapid growth of vehicles which causes serious environmental crisis in the form of air pollution and has become alarming particularly in cities. The industrial and vehicular growth cannot be neglected, as the country’s economic and social well being is largely dependent on them. But this should not come at the cost of our health and eco system. The industrial and vehicular emissions must be controlled in order to keep our air clean. Continued efforts in this direction are being taken up across the globe to investigate an efficient and economical technique. There are many air pollutants being emitted from both natural and manmade sources. The major air pollutants identified as hazardous to human health are nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and sulfur dioxides (SOx). Among these, nitrogen oxides are considered to be difficult to remove. The sources of NOx are thermal power plants, stationary and mobile diesel engines, gasturbine engine, ironore sintering plants and various other smallscale utilities. There are conventionally available technologies to remove NOx such as chemical scrubbing, catalysis etc. But these techniques are either difficult to operate or do not bring down the level of NOx to the required norms imposed by the government. The failure of conventional techniques to remove NOx to the expected limit led to the development of alternative nonconventional techniques. Prominent among these new alternative techniques is electric discharge plasma, where the gas is partially ionized and temperature of electrons is considerably higher than that of ions and background gas molecules. Diesel engines are getting popular due to their inherent merits and their number is increasing considerably. Unfortunately, the exhaust of diesel engine being complex with high oxygen content makes the existing pollution control techniques insufficient particularly with regard to removal of NOx. So there is a need for investigating better technology which can effectively abate the pollutants from diesel engine exhaust. Electric Discharge plasma is one such alternative technique which has been very successful in large volumes of flue gas cleaning and hence, its potential is being explored in the cleaning of small volumes of vehicular exhausts, in particular, diesel engine exhaust. In the present work we investigated the relative performance of different electric discharge plasma reactors, with different type of voltages like AC, DC and pulse. The reactors were evaluated for NOx removal efficiency and NO conversion. This research work is a feasibility study to find whether electric discharge plasma can be used more effectively as an alternative technology for the after treatment of diesel engine exhaust in cascade with some cheaper adsorbents, if necessary. The scope of this qualitative experimental study can briefly be summarized as below: . • To study different reactors for NO conversion and NOx removal . • To study the effect of dielectric pellets in enhancing the radical production which in turn will have a bearing on the chemical reactions . • To study the effect of different types of voltages on the cleansing process . • To propose an efficient reactor system subject to the experimental conditions studied.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2006. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 52 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

O presente estudo agrega os dados geoespaciais livres, cedidos pela prefeitura de São Paulo, IBGE, CNAE, RAIS, entre outros e particulares, cedidos pela empresa Maplink, com os recursos dos Sistemas de Informações Geográficas - SIG, para planejamento de Transportes. A megacidade de São Paulo com mais de dez milhões de habitantes tem milhares de estabelecimentos comerciais para atender a demanda dessa população, que precisa ser abastecidos. Os veículos de carga que abastecem, além de afetarem o trânsito e mobilidade urbana, emitem poluentes. O objetivo é hierarquizar as áreas da megacidade de São Paulo (Brasil) com características potenciais para alta concentração de poluentes decorrentes da circulação dos veículos de carga para abastecer os estabelecimentos comerciais. A metodologia correlaciona espacialmente os dois conjuntos de dados (localização de estabelecimentos comerciais e a circulação de veículos de transporte de cargas) utilizando ferramentas de análises espaciais, baseada em Kernel Density Estimator - KDE, a análise de multicritério, como a Analytic Hierarchy Process - AHP para avaliar como estes duas variáveis estão relacionadas, e também a lógica Fuzzy para calcular esses dados. Os resultados obtidos demonstra que as avenidas e rodovias do município de São Paulo possuem alta concentração de poluentes, sendo utilizadas como rotas para os veículos de carga que tanto fazem do município sua origem e/ou destino, as regiões que possuem alta concentração de poluentes atmosféricos são: Cerqueira César, Parque Dom Pedro II e Ibirapuera, com destaque também na Marginal Tietê e Marginal Pinheiros, além da zona leste (Itaquera e Itaim Paulista). / This study adds free geospatial data, granted by the city of São Paulo, IBGE, CNAE, RAIS, among others and individuals assigned by Maplink company with the capabilities of Geographic Information Systems - GIS for Transportation planning. The megacity of São Paulo with more than ten million inhabitants has thousands of shops to meet the needs of this population, which must be supplied. The cargo vehicles that supply, as well as affect the traffic and urban mobility, emit pollutants. The goal is to prioritize areas of the megacity of São Paulo (Brazil) with potential characteristics for high concentration of pollutants resulting from the movement of cargo vehicles to supply shops. The methodology spatially correlate the two sets of data (location of commercial establishments and the movement of cargo transport vehicles) using tools of spatial analysis based on Kernel Density Estimator - KDE, the multi-criteria analysis, as the Analytic Hierarchy Process - AHP to evaluate how these two variables are related, and also fuzzy logic to calculate this data. The results show that the avenues and highways of São Paulo have a high concentration of pollutants, being used as routes for freight vehicles that both make the city their origin and / or destination, the regions with high concentration of air pollutants they are: Cerqueira Cesar, Parque Dom Pedro II and Ibirapuera, highlighting also the Marginal Tiete and Pinheiros, besides the east side (Itaquera and Itaim Paulista).

Efeitos adversos das emissões geradas pela queim a da cana de açúcar representa um problema que afeta principalmente os países em desenvolvimento. Estudos prévios têm demonstrado que, durante o período de queima, há um aumento das admissões hospitalares e atendimentos de emergência nas cidades do Brasil próximas às plantações de cana. Entretanto, até o momento, não há estudos que avaliaram os efeitos sobre a superfície ocular. O presente trabalho avalia o impacto causado pela queima da cana sobre a superfície ocular e cortadores de cana e na população da região de Tatuí SP. Vinte e dois cortadores de cana e dezenove voluntários do perímetro urbano de Tatuí SP, localizada no Estado de São Paulo, fora recrutados para o estudo. Medidas ambientais das concentrações de aterial particulado de 2,5 (MP2,5), temperatura e umidade fora ensuradas durante os períodos de queima e entresafra. Ao esmo tempo, avaliações histológicas e clínicas da superfície ocular, tais como, citologia de impressão da região tarsal, tempo de rotura do filme lacrimal (TRFL), teste de Schirmer I, colorações vitais por rosa bengala e fluoresceína, bio microscopia e sintomas oculares foram realizadas durante os dois períodos. Níveis de MP2,5 durante a atividade de corte da cana queimada foi 3,5 vezes mais elevados do que o limite de 25 g/3 sugerido pelo órgão de regulamentação.Nas avaliações oculares, observa os que os valores médios das áreas coradas por ácido periódico de Schiff (PAS) das amostras dos cortadores fora menores durante o período de queima (57 ±6,8%) do que na entresafra (64,3 ±12%; p=0,014) e quando comparadas com as amostras dos voluntários da cidade (63,9 ±6.8%;p=0,009). Modelo de regressão não linear revela uma forte associação entre os valores médios das áreas PAS positivas e os anos de trabalho no corte da cana queimada. Detectamos um aumento nas áreas PAS positivas conforme os anos de trabalho acumulados no corte da cana queimada durante o período da entresafra (r=0,99;p=0,015).Teste de Schirmer I revela uma diminuição dos valores conforme e os anos de trabalho no corte da cana queimada observados durante o período de quei a.(r=0,99;p=0,026).Valores médios de TRFL dos cortadores de cana durante o periodo de queima (6,48 ±3.47s) fora menores do que na entresafra (10,16 ±7,79) e quando comparadas como TRFL dos voluntários da cidade (8,6 ±4,6s;p<0,05).Não houve diferenças estatísticas e relação às outras variáveis oculares. Nossos resultados sugere que a exposição sazonal às altas concentrações das emissões geradas pela queima da cana de açúcar pode causar efeitos tóxicos sobre a mucosa epitelial e afetar a estabilidade do filme lacrimal, permitindo que o epitélio torne se enos protegido aos agentes deletérios. Por outro lado,a exposição crônica às emissões da cana parece induzir uma resposta adaptativa do epitélio ocular, associado a umaumento da densidade de muco para compensar a perda de células caliciformes durante o período da queima, todos os anos. E conclusão, esses achados reforça a i portância de futuras investigações para melhor compreender as consequências da poluição at osférica sobre a superfície ocular e sugere edidas para proteção da superfície ocular durante este período. / The adverse effects of particle emissions produced by sugar cane burning represent a proble that affects ostly developing countries. Previous studies have shown that, during the burning period, there is an increase in respiratory hospital admissions and emergency room visits in communities surrounded by sugar cane plantations in rural cities of Brazil. However, until this date, nom previous studies have evaluated the effects on the ocular surface. The ai of the present work is to study the impact of the sugar cane burning on the ocular surface of cane workers and the people at the city of Tatuí, near the burning crops. Twenty two healthy sugar cane workers and nineteen volunteers fro Tatuí region located at the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were recruited to the study. Measure ents of the average concentrations of particulate atter 2.5um, temperature and humidity were done during the burning and non burning periods. Concurrently, histological and clinical assessments of the ocular surface such as, inferior tarsal impression cytology, tear film break-up time, Schirmer´s I test, fluorescein and rose bengal staining, biomicroscopy and eye irritation symptoms were evaluated during the two periods. PM2.5 exposure levels in the crops during the activity of burnt cane cutting were 3.5 fold higher than the suggest limit of 25ug/m3 proposed by governmental regulation. On ocular assessments, we observed that the average of periodic acid Schiff (PAS)positive areas of sugar cane workers samples were lower during the burning (mean 57%,SD 6.8) than the non burning period (mean 64.3%,SD 12;p=0.014) and the downtown volunteers samples (mean 63.9%,SD 6.8;p=0.009). A non linear regression model reveals a strong relationship between average PAS positive areas and years working in sugar cane harvesting. We noticed an increase in PAS positive areas as long as the years accumulated in sugar cane harvesting labor during non burning period (r=0.99,p=0.015). Schirmer test t reveals impairment at the values across the years of labour in sugar cane harvesting observed during the burning period (r=0.99,p=0.026). Mean TBUT values of sugar cane workers during the burning period (mean 6.48s; SD 3.47)were lower than non burning period (mean 10.16s;SD 7.79) and than TBUT of the volunteers of downtown (mean 8.6s,SD 4.6;p<0.05). There were no statistically differences among the groups for the other ocular variables. Our results suggest that seasonal exposition of higher concentrations of emissions generated by sugar cane burning ay cause toxic effects on the mucosal epithelium and affect tear film stability that ay leave underlying ocular epithelium less protected to har ful agents. On the other hand, chronic occupational exposure to sugar cane emissions during harvest ay induce an adaptive response of ocular epithelium associated with an increase of mucus density in order to compensate loss of goblet cells every year during burning period. In conclusion, these findings reinforce the importance for further investigations to better understanding the consequences of air pollution on the ocular surface and suggest procedures to protect ocular surface during this period.

Seed-oil based biodiesel production particularly biodiesel production from the nonedible oil seed bearing plant - Jatropha curcas L. - is a key strategic direction outlined in the biofuels strategy of the Government of Ethiopia. The main objective underlying the strategy include substitution of imported diesel oil used in the road transport sector while at the same time contributing to the local and global greenhouse gasses (GHG) reduction efforts. In this study the environmental benefits and costs of production and use of Jatropha biodiesel in the road transport sector of Ethiopia is assessed using a life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology. The analysis focused on determining the potential environmental impacts and net non-renewable energy saving potential of biodiesel from Jatropha oil-seeds using the following metrics: (i) Net Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction, and (ii) Net Energy Balance (NEB) relative to diesel oil. The study shows that the net GHG emissions reduction potential of Jatropha Methyl Ester (JME) is highly influenced by the magnitude of initial carbon loss occurring in the process of conversion of different land uses to Jatropha plantation, and less so on other unit processes of JME production system analysed. The NEB of JME relative to use of diesel oil per functional unit of one GJ is less sensitive to impacts of land use change and is generally positive. Where no land use change impacts is considered, or where Jatropha is grown on lands with low carbon stock such as grasslands, substitution of diesel oil with JME in Ethiopia can provide GHG emission reduction of about 43%, and for each MJ of JME produced the nonrenewable energy requirement will be 0,38 MJ. Production of JME by converting lands with high above ground, below ground and/or soil carbon stocks such as shrub lands or well stocked forest lands will result in net loss of carbon and require ecological carbon payback time of 50 to hundreds of years. The impact of introducing and use of JME-diesel oil blends by Anbassa City Bus Services Enterprise (ACBSE) bus fleets shows that, displacement of diesel oil with JME that have positive GHG reduction potential, will also contribute to the reduction of air pollutants and improvement of ambient air quality in Addis Ababa. Two key recommendations of this research work are that to ensure environmental sustainability of biodiesel production from Jatropha seeds (i) land availability and land suitability assessment for estimating the potential available land for Jatropha (and other oil-seed bearing plants) shall be conducted, and (ii) minimum requirements on GHG reduction and NEB requirements on biodiesel shall be established. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Bases científicas para o entendimento dos efeitos da poluição atmosférica sobre a saúde humana são ainda necessárias em todo o mundo, considerando que os dados locais devem ser utilizados como parâmetro para tomada de decisão e controle da poluição do ar. Países em desenvolvimento carecem de tecnologia para detecção e mensuração dos níveis de poluição do ar, o que dificulta a atualização de legislação sobre padrões da qualidade do ar para o controle das fontes emissoras. Diversas abordagens metodológicas tem sido sugeridas por agências internacionais, no entanto para o contexto local faz-se necessário adaptações que resulte em métodos replicáveis pelas agências brasileiras. No Brasil, o Ministério da Saúde, através da Vigilância em Saúde Ambiental, estimula o desenvolvimento de metodologias que possam viabilizar a implementação do programa de vigilância em saúde relacionada à qualidade do ar. O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar a metodologia de análise de riscos para avaliar a qualidade do ar na cidade de Salvador e o impacto sobre a saúde, na perspectiva de implantação de ações da Vigilância em Saúde Ambiental. Este estudo se caracteriza como ciência no contexto da ação. Foram realizados dois estudos para aplicação da metodologia proposta. No primeiro estudo, em fase de identificação do perigo, os poluentes foram caracterizados em termos de sua composição química, utilizando a técnica de biomonitoramento como ferramenta alternativa para acessar as partículas presentes na atmosfera urbana. Para a detecção de metais no material particulado foram utilizadas técnicas analíticas de espectrofotometria de absorção atômica e para a análise morfológica destas partículas foram utilizadas técnicas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura convencional e micro análises de raios-x. A composição química do material particulado foi estudada para entendimento das emissões locais. No segundo estudo, além da identificação do contaminante e caracterização do risco foi também avaliado a exposição à saúde humana. Estratégias de comunicação de riscos foram utilizadas para o envolvimento de partes interessadas. Os resultados de contaminação atmosférica observados nesta tese sugerem que as ferramentas aplicadas no contexto da análise de riscos, em suas diversas etapas, são viáveis, apresentando evidências científicas aos tomadores de decisão, e assim contribuindo com novas tecnologias para o SUS, especialmente na implementação de programa em vigilância da saúde relacionada à qualidade do ar / Scientific bases for understanding the effects of atmospheric pollution on human health are still necessary in all parts of the world, considering that local data should be used as a parameter for decision-making and the control of air pollution. Developing countries lack the technology to detect and measure levels of air pollution, making it difficult to update legislation on air quality standards for the control of emission sources. Several methodological approaches have been suggested by international agencies, however for the local context it is necessary to make adjustments that will result in replicable methods across Brazilian agencies. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health, through the Environmental Health Surveillance, stimulates the development of methodologies that can facilitate the implementation of a health surveillance program related to air quality. The objective of this study was to apply risk analysis methods to evaluate the air quality of the city of Salvador and its impact on health, from the perspective of the Environmental Health Surveillance\'s regulatory actions. This study is characterized by science and decision. Two studies were conducted that applied the proposed methods. In the first study, during the hazard identification phase, pollutants were characterized in terms of their chemical composition using a biomonitoring technique as an alternative tool to access the particles present in the urban atmosphere. The analytic techniques of atomic absorption spectrophotometry were used for the detection of metals in the particulate matter, and for the morphologic analysis of these particles, conventional scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis techniques were used. The chemical composition of the particulate matter was then studied to understand local emissions. In the second study, in addition to contaminant identification and risk characterization, human health exposure was also evaluated. Risk communication strategies were used for the involvement of stakeholders. The observed results of atmospheric contamination in this thesis suggest that the applied tools within the context of risk analysis, in its diverse stages, are viable and present scientific evidence to decision-making, thus contributing new technologies for National Health System, particularly the implementation of a health surveillance program related to air quality