Este estudo apresenta o diagnóstico da qualidade do ambiente interno de estabelecimentos comerciais da região central da cidade de São Carlos, localizada no interior do estado de São Paulo. Foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: concentração mássica do material particulado em suspensão, em suas frações MP10 e MP2,5, níveis de ruído, temperatura e umidade relativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada em três locais por um período de sete horas diárias, das 10 h às 17 h. Os estabelecimentos comerciais da região central da cidade de São Carlos possuíram, em média, valores de temperatura 5,1°C maiores e de umidade relativa 35,5% menores que aqueles encontrados na estação meteorológica localizada na área rural da cidade. Foi encontrado alto coeficiente de correlação entre os dados climáticos das lojas e da estação meteorológica, indicando que o ambiente externo possui grande influência nos ambientes internos estudados. Do total dos dias amostrados, 54% foram indicados como desconfortáveis termicamente. As concentrações de MP2,5 variaram de 11,4 a 40,6 &#956g.m-3, estando acima do padrão de referência de 24 h da OMS (25 &#956g.m-3) em 35% dos dias amostrados. As concentrações de MP10 variaram de 18,4 a 85,7 &#956g.m-3, estando acima do padrão de referência de 24 h da OMS (50 &#956g.m-3) em 33% dos dias amostrados. A razão interno/externo (I/E) do material particulado foi em média de 0,82 para o MP2,5 e de 0,86 para o MP10. A concentração média das amostras de material particulado realizadas na estação seca foi 1,8 vezes maior do que das amostras realizadas na estação chuvosa para o MP10 e 1,2 vezes maior para o MP2,5. A razão MP2,5/MP10 média das amostras foi de 56%. O coeficiente de correlação entre os equipamentos utilizados para medida do material particulado foi de 0,40 para o MP2,5 e 0,53 para o MP10, sendo que as concentrações obtidas pelo equipamento contador de partículas foram em média 4,2 e 2,0 menores que as concentrações obtidas pelo equipamento gravimétrico para o MP2,5 e MP10, respectivamente. Os dados de ruído variaram de 50,6 a 67,2 dBA no ambiente interno e de 56,6 a 72,8 dBA no ambiente externo, com uma razão I/E média de 0,91. Com relação ao limite de 70 dBA estipulado pela OMS, 9% dos dias amostrados no ambiente externo ultrapassaram este valor. O ponto amostral mais ruidoso foi aquele localizado em frente à via com maior tráfego de veículos, e o menos ruidoso era localizado em frente a uma via com tráfego frequentemente congestionado. / This study presents the indoor environmental quality of stores in central São Carlos, an inner city of the state of São Paulo, in Brazil. The following parameters were monitored: mass concentration of particulate matter, in its fractions PM10 and PM2.5, noise levels, temperature and relative humidity. Data was collected in three stores in the center of town during seven hours daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The stores had, in average, temperature values 5.1 °C higherand relative umidity 35.5% lower than those observed in a weather station located in the countryside. High correlation coefficient between the climate data in the stores and in the weather station was found, indicating that the external environment has great influence in the internal environments studied. Of all samples, 54% indicated thermal discomfort. PM2.5, mass concentrations ranged from 11.4 to 40.6 &#956g.m-3, exceeding the 24 h WHO guideline (25 &#956g.m-3) in 35% of the samples. PM10 mass concentrations ranged from 18.4 to 85.7 &#956g.m-3, exceeding the 24 h WHO guideline (50 &#956g.m-3) in 33% of the samples. The average inside/outside (I/O) ratio of the particulate matter was of 0.84 for the PM2.5 and 0.88 for the PM10. Mass concentration was 1.8 times greater in the dry season than in rainy season for the PM10, and 1.2 times greater for the PM2.5. Average PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 56%. Correlation coefficient between the gravimetric and particle counter equipments used to determine PM mass concentration was of 0.40 for the PM2.5 and 0.53 for the PM10, and latter had average means 4.2 and 2.0 times smaller, for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Noise levels ranged from 50.6 to 67.2 dBA in the internal environment and 56.6 to 72.8 dBA in the external environment, with an average I/O ratio of 0.91. Concerning the 70 dBA daily exposure limit estipulated by WHO, 9% of the sampled days exceeded that value. The location with higher noise pollution was located in front of the street with higher vehicle traffic, and the one with lower noise pollution was located in a street with often congested traffic.

Este trabalho apresenta uma caracterização ambiental do Mercado Municipal da cidade de São Carlos-SP, localizado na região central da cidade, onde ocorre grande movimentação de pessoas e veículos, em horário comercial. Foram analisados os níveis de material particulado em suspensão no ar, nas suas frações MP10 e MP2,5, níveis de ruído, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar relativa, nos ambientes internos e externos do Mercado. Os valores das concentrações de material particulado, tanto para MP10, como MP2,5, apresentaram-se, em geral, maiores no ambiente interno do que no externo. Os valores encontrados para MP2,5 chegaram a 66,60 g/m³, no ambiente interno, e 60,56 g/m³, no externo. Para a fração MP10, a concentração interna alcançou o valor de 117,74 g/m³ e a externa atingiu os 134,51 g/m³. Duas metodologias diferentes foram utilizadas para a determinação da concentração de material particulado em suspensão, a gravimetria pelo Personal Enviromental Monitor (PEM), e a fotometria por espalhamento de luz pelo aparelho ADR-1500 e pDR-1500. A técnica da gravimetria apresentou, em geral, os valores mais elevados. Uma análise do material particulado foi realizada, por meio da técnica de Fluorescência de Raio-X, para identificação dos elementos químicos presentes. Foram encontrados: Ba, Ca, K, Zn, S, Fe, e Rb. Já em relação à temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, os níveis oscilaram bastante durante o dia, com médias da temperatura interna entre 14°C e 34°C, e a umidade com valores entre 19% e 58%. Foi calculado o Índice de Calor (Hi - Heat Index), revelando desconforto térmico na maior parte dos dias, com as temperaturas internas normalmente acima das externas. Os níveis de ruído encontrados no ambiente interno e externo chegaram a 71,42 e 85,43 dB(A), respectivamente. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre qualidade ambiental aos funcionários do Mercado: 67% dos respondentes acham o local muito quente e 33 % consideram o local muito ruidoso. / This study presents an environmental characterization of the Municipal Market in the city of São Carlos, SP, located at the downtown area, where there is a great movement of people and vehicles, mainly during business hours. The levels of suspended particulate matter in the air were analyzed, in its fractions PM10 and PM2,5, noise levels, temperature and relative humidity in indoor and outdoor environments of the Market. The concentrations of the particulate material for both MP10 and PM2,5, are presented in general higher in the internal environment than the outer and exceeded the limits of the World Health Organization-WHO. The values for PM2,5 reached to 66,60 g/m³, the internal environment, and 60,56 g/m³, externally. For PM10 fraction, the internal concentration reached a value of 117,74 g/m³ and external reached 134,51 g/m³. Two different methods were used to determine the concentration of suspended particulate matter, gravimetry by The Environmental Monitor-PEM and light scattering photometric by the device ADR-1500 and pDR-1500. The gravimetric technique showed in general the highest values. An analysis of the particulate matter was performed by the technique of X-ray fluorescence for the identification of chemical elements. Were found: Ba, Ca, K, Zn, Fe and Rb. In relation to temperature and relative humidity, levels oscillated during the day, with average of the internal temperature between 14°C and 34°C, and humidity with values between 19% and 58%. Were calculated the Heat Index (Hi), revealing thermal discomfort in most of the days, with internal temperatures usually above the external. The noise levels in the internal and external environment reached 71,42 and 85,43 dB(A), respectively. A questionnaire about the environmental quality was applied on the officials Market: 67% of respondents thought the place was very hot and 33% considered the place very noisy.

Urban pollutants have been identified as a significant source of environmental pollution, posing a risk to human health, the environment, and are toxic to flora and fauna. Highways are recognised as one of the key sources of pollution, from both vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure. A number of studies have investigated accumulation of sediment and the associated pollutants on highways, and the runoff generated as a result of rainfall. Car parks share many potential contributory sources of pollutants with highways, but there is a lack of studies regarding car parks, despite them being identified as a significant percentage of urban land use. A series of experiments were undertaken in order to develop an understanding of the characteristics of car park sediment. The physical and chemical characteristics of sediment were analysed at different stages throughout the drainage system. Firstly on the sediment accumulated on car park surfaces, followed by that mobilised and transported into a channel drain during simulated rainfall events. Finally, potential treatment of pollutants within sediment in a channel was quantified. The physical and chemical characteristics of car park sediment was shown to be similar during both the accumulation (build-up) and wash-off stages, suggesting that the accumulated sediment is generally mobilised and transported to the channel drain (wash-off). Furthermore, both the physical and chemical characteristics of the sediment were shown to be similar to those found on highways, thorough the build-up and wash-off phases. Finally, potential treatment of organic pollutants (PAH) by biodegradation was demonstrated, but not comprehensively proved.

Outdoor air pollution is increasingly considered as a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). High levels of airborne particulate matter (PM) constitute the greatest international air pollution threat. The purpose of this thesis is to broaden our knowledge regarding the relationship between outdoor air pollution and cardiovascular diseases in the Middle Eastern countries, specifically in Lebanon. Moreover, we aimed to develop a scale as CVD screening tool among the Lebanese population. To achieve these goals, we conducted three studies. The first was a systematic review of the literature aiming to assess levels and sources of PM across the Middle East area and to search for an evidence of relationship between PM exposure and CVD (Paper I).The second manuscript was a multicenter case-control study investigating the association between outdoor pollutants and cardiovascular diseases among Lebanese adults (Paper II) while the third study was conducted to develop a score that can be used as a screening tool in clinical and epidemiological settings among the Lebanese adults (Paper III).The annual average values of PM pollutants in the Middle East region are considered to be much higher than the WHO 2006 tolerated levels (PM2.5 = 10 µg/m3, PM10 = 20 µg/m3). We uncovered evidence of an association between PM and CVD in 4 Middle East countries: Iran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Ambient PM pollution is considered a potential risk factor for platelet activation and atherosclerosis. Moreover, it was associated with CVD and found to be linked with an increased risk for mortality and hospital admissions (Paper I). Increased risk of CVD with an odds ratio OR of 5.04, 95% CI (4.44-12.85) for living near busy highway and 4.76, 95% CI (2.07-10.91) for living close to local diesel generator was noticed among population exposed to outdoor air pollution (Paper II). In addition, our results highlight the importance of scale generation, which includes air pollution as predictive factor, as screening tool for patients at risk of CVD. This scale can foresee the cardiovascular disease outcomes better than the established score which use the traditional CVD risk factors (Paper III).In conclusion this study brings new evidence regarding the effects of particulate matter on cardiac diseases, points out the harmful role of diesel exhaust on health and suggest a an important role of traffic exhaust particles in exacerbating heart diseases in the Middle East Region. The developed scale could detect persons at high risk for CVD in the clinical and epidemiological settings. In addition, it serves as an essential public health screening tool for the primary prevention of CVD. / Doctorat en Santé Publique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Outdoor air pollution is increasingly considered as a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). High levels of airborne particulate matter (PM) constitute the greatest international air pollution threat. The purpose of this thesis is to broaden our knowledge regarding the relationship between outdoor air pollution and cardiovascular diseases in the Middle Eastern countries, specifically in Lebanon. Moreover, we aimed to develop a scale as CVD screening tool among the Lebanese population. To achieve these goals, we conducted three studies. The first was a systematic review of the literature aiming to assess levels and sources of PM across the Middle East area and to search for an evidence of relationship between PM exposure and CVD (Paper I).The second manuscript was a multicenter case-control study investigating the association between outdoor pollutants and cardiovascular diseases among Lebanese adults (Paper II) while the third study was conducted to develop a score that can be used as a screening tool in clinical and epidemiological settings among the Lebanese adults (Paper III).The annual average values of PM pollutants in the Middle East region are considered to be much higher than the WHO 2006 tolerated levels (PM2.5 = 10 µg/m3, PM10 = 20 µg/m3). We uncovered evidence of an association between PM and CVD in 4 Middle East countries: Iran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Ambient PM pollution is considered a potential risk factor for platelet activation and atherosclerosis. Moreover, it was associated with CVD and found to be linked with an increased risk for mortality and hospital admissions (Paper I). Increased risk of CVD with an odds ratio OR of 5.04, 95% CI (4.44-12.85) for living near busy highway and 4.76, 95% CI (2.07-10.91) for living close to local diesel generator was noticed among population exposed to outdoor air pollution (Paper II). In addition, our results highlight the importance of scale generation, which includes air pollution as predictive factor, as screening tool for patients at risk of CVD. This scale can foresee the cardiovascular disease outcomes better than the established score which use the traditional CVD risk factors (Paper III).In conclusion this study brings new evidence regarding the effects of particulate matter on cardiac diseases, points out the harmful role of diesel exhaust on health and suggest a an important role of traffic exhaust particles in exacerbating heart diseases in the Middle East Region. The developed scale could detect persons at high risk for CVD in the clinical and epidemiological settings. In addition, it serves as an essential public health screening tool for the primary prevention of CVD. / Doctorat en Santé Publique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: doc. RNDr. Milan Dittrich, CSc. Student: Marie Křivková Title of Thesis: Modification of parameters of nanoparticles prepared from aliphatic hydroxyacids polyesters Polyesters of aliphatic α-hydroxyacids are mentioned in the theoretical part. A significant part of it is mostly devoted to the polyester PLGA. Physicochemical properties, the process of biodegradation and biodistribution are described there. Subsequently, some examples of PLGA utilization in pharmacy and medicine are mentioned. The theoretical part deals also with the method of diffusion used for nanoparticles preparation, which was used in the experimental part, and the principles of size and surface charge measurements of these nanoparticles. The crucial part of this master thesis is based upon an experiment. It is focused on various approaches to the formulation of nanoparticles out of aliphatic polyester carriers with variable molecular constitution. Polymer PLGA with linear molecule and polymers containing PLGA branched on tripentaerythritol and polyacrylic acid were used. Using the diffusion method, nanoparticles were prepared out of these carriers. The outer water-based phase was modified by use of cetrimide of different...

Indoor air quality is a growing concern in the world. People spend a considerable amount of time in indoor environments such as homes, workplaces, shopping malls, stores, and so on. Indoor sources like incense and candle burning, cooking contribute a significant amount of indoor air pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds. Exposure to these kinds of pollutants can result in adverse health effects. The purpose of this research is to determine the particulate matter and carbon monoxide emission factors (EFs) from incense stick burning. A test chamber with a rectangular exhaust duct, a fan to exhaust air with pollutants in it, and pollutant sensors were used to achieve the project goals. Several experiments were performed with different cases/scenarios to accurately estimate the EFs and several test runs were conducted for each case to test the repeatability of the results. The CO, PM2.5 (mass), PM2.5 (number), PM10 (mass), PM10 (number) EFs developed in this research are between 110-120 mg/g of incense, 2.5-3 mg/g of incense, 800-1100 #particles/µg of incense, 32-33 mg/g of incense, 1200-1400 #particles/µg of incense respectively.

Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / Mohammad H. Hosni / Millions of people travel by commercial aircraft each year. The close proximity of passengers aboard an airplane leads to one of the primary reasons that air quality in an aircraft cabin is of interest. In recent years there have been multiple reported instances of people contracting illnesses after being aboard an aircraft for an extended period of time. In order to better understand air quality in an aircraft cabin, an experimental study of particulate transport in a half cabin model of a Boeing 767 was performed. In the study, both 3[Mu]m and 10[Mu]m particles were tested separately by injecting them into the cabin through a vertical tube, 609.6 mm (24 in) above the floor, at a single location on the centerline of the half cabin test section. Resulting particulate concentrations were measured at five locations along the centerline of the half cabin test section. It was found that for the 3[Mu]m particles, the normalized concentration was about one for all of the locations except directly above the injection site. Therefore, the concentrations were approximately the same as the well-mixed concentration, where the well-mixed concentration is the concentration in the test cabin if the test cabin is uniformly mixed. For the same test conditions, the normalized concentrations for the 10[Mu]m particles were well below one, around 0.1. Several more concentration measurements using the 10[Mu]m particles were taken at the same five locations, both on and off the centerline, and for different particle injection and cabin pressure conditions. The concentration results using a diffuser cone to inject the 10[Mu]m particles into the test cabin and a neutral cabin pressure were higher than the results found using the straight injection tube, but they were not very repeatable. After pressurizing the cabin to slightly above ambient pressure and using the diffuser cone, the resulting average normalized particle concentrations along the centerline were found to be between 0.4 and 1.5 and repeatable within the estimated measurement uncertainty. Therefore, it appears that the 3[Mu]m particles follow the airflow in the test cabin well, but it is not clear if the 10[Mu]m particles do as well.

La dynamique des matières en suspension joue un rôle primordial au sein de la zone côtière en étant le principal vecteur de matière particulaire depuis les sources (rivières) vers les puits (marges continentales, canyons sous-marins, océan profond). Le suivi de cette dynamique, notamment pendant les évènements de crues des fleuves et des tempêtes, est primordial afin d’estimer les budgets sédimentaires des marges continentales, de suivre l’évolution des habitats benthiques et de déterminer le rôle de cette dynamique dans le transport de contaminants. Cette thèse a pour objet l’étude des impacts de tels évènements sur la dynamique des particules en suspension au sein du Golfe du Lion (Méditerranée). Une approche multiplateforme, couplant les différentes plateformes de mesures existantes (campagne en mer, glider, satellite, mouillage, bouée côtière) et basée sur la mesure de la turbidité en terme quantitatif et qualitatif a été adoptée. Les résultats ont permis de décrire 1) la dynamique des néphéloïdes en fonction des forçages (vents, vagues, courants) durant des évènements de crue du Rhône et de tempête marine, 2) la variabilité spatiale et temporelle de l’assemblage particulaire lors de ces mêmes évènements par une caractérisation in situ et 3) de montrer le rôle des plateformes autonomes du type gliders dans le suivi de la dynamique des matières en suspension en zone côtière. / Coastal suspended particulate matter dynamics play a main role in the fate of land-derived material from the source (rivers) to sink (continental margins, submarine canyons, deep sea). The monitoring of this dynamic, especially during flooding and storm conditions, is decisive to understand factors impacting sedimentary budgets of continental margins, health of benthic habitats and spread of contaminants. The aim of this PhD is to study the impacts of such events on the suspended particles dynamics over the shelf of the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediteranean). A multi-platform approach, combining existing observation platforms (survey, glider, satellite, mooring and coastal buoy) and based on the measurement of the turbidity was adopted. Results enabled to describe 1) the impacts of forcings (winds, waves, currents) on the dynamics of nepheloid layers during flooding and storm conditions, 2) the variability of the particle assemblage during such events through an in situ characterization and 3) the role of gliders in the monitoring of suspended particles dynamics within the coastal zone.

Long term management plans for restoration of natural flow conditions through the Everglades increase the importance of understanding potential nutrient impacts of increased freshwater delivery on coastal biogeochemistry. The present study sought to increase understanding of the coastal marine system of South Florida under modern conditions and through the anthropogenic changes in the last century, on scales ranging from individual nutrient cycle processes to seasonal patterns in organic material (OM) under varying hydrodynamic regime, to century scale analysis of sedimentary records. In all applications, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic compositions of OM were examined as natural recorders of change and nutrient cycling in the coastal system. High spatial and temporal variability in stable isotopic compositions were observed on all time scales. During a transient phytoplankton bloom, ä15N values suggested nitrogen fixation as a nutrient source supporting enhanced productivity. Seasonally, particulate organic material (POM) from ten sites along the Florida Reef Tract and in Florida Bay demonstrated variable fluctuations dependent on hydrodynamic setting. Three separate intra-annual patterns were observed, yet statistical differences were observed between groupings of Florida Bay and Atlantic Ocean sites. The POM ä15N values ranged on a quarterly basis by 7‰, while ä13C varied by 22‰. From a sediment history perspective, four cores collected from Florida Bay further demonstrated the spatial and temporal variability of the system in isotopic composition of bulk OM over time. Source inputs of OM varied with location, with terrestrial inputs dominating proximal to Everglades freshwater discharge, seagrasses dominating in open estuary cores, and a marine mixture of phytoplankton and seagrass in a core from the boundary zone between Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Significant shifts in OM geochemistry were observed coincident with anthropogenic events of the 20th century, including railroad and road construction in the Florida Keys and Everglades, and also the extensive drainage changes in Everglades hydrology. The sediment record also preserved evidence of the major hurricanes of the last century, with excursions in geochemical composition coincident with Category 4-5 storms.