INTRODUÇÃO. Os efeitos da poluição atmosférica sobre a saúde humana são cada vez mais reconhecidos. A exposição ao combustível diesel, que contribui significativamente para a poluição em zonas de tráfego veicular intenso, pode ser ao menos parcialmente, responsável por estes efeitos. Estudos epidemiológicos demonstram maior incidência de pré-eclampsia, prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer. Maiores taxas de falha de implantação e alterações da morfologia placentária são demonstrados em estudos experimentais. OBJETIVO. Análise morfológica do ovário e do útero de camundongos após exposição crônica ao combustível diesel durante a fase intra-uterina e pós-natal. MÉTODO. Estudo experimental prospectivo com crossover. Camundongos foram expostos durante uma hora a doses de combustão do diesel que correspondem a média diária de material particulado fino (MP2.5) recomendado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHO) e a doses acima da média anual recomendada pela mesma. A dose de exposição a MP2.5 foi abaixo da dose recomendada pela Comissão Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA). Quatro grupos foram formados: animais expostos a ar filtrado no período intra-uterino e no período pós-natal (CC); animais expostos a diesel apenas no período intra-uterino, sendo que no período pós-natal foram expostos a ar filtrado (EC); animais expostos a ar filtrado no período intra-uterino e a diesel no pós-natal (CE), e animais expostos a diesel nos períodos intra-uterino e pós-natal (EE). A análise morfométrica do ovário e do útero foi realizada para definir a área relativa ocupada por cada tipo de folículo, pelo corpo lúteo e pelo estroma, e a proporção de área ocupada por glândulas, estroma e epitélio no endométrio. RESULTADOS. Uma redução significativa de folículos primordiais foi observada em animais expostos a diesel durante o período intra-uterino (p=0,035) e durante o período pós-natal (p=0,015), assim como em animais expostos a diesel nos dois períodos (p=0.004). Houve redução significativa de folículos primários quando os animais foram expostos no período intra-uterino (p=0.04). Não foram demonstradas alterações significativas no útero. CONCLUSÃO. A exposição a níveis considerados aceitáveis de combustão do diesel é prejudicial ao potencial reprodutivo de camundongos fêmeas, diminuindo sua reserva ovariana ao atingir a maturidade sexual, sugerindo o envolvimento de alterações epigenéticas. Tal efeito aumenta o risco de menopausa precoce. Estes resultados sugerem que diretrizes ambientais sejam revisadas, já que a exposição prejudica gerações futuras, diminuindo a janela reprodutiva, já comprometida pelo desejo de grande parte das mulheres de adiar a maternidade / BACKGROUND. There is growing awareness that ambient air pollution compromises human health. Exposure to diesel exhaust, which significantly contributes to pollution in heavy traffic areas, may be at least partially responsible for the observed effects of pollution on human health. Poor reproductive outcomes, such as preeclampsia, preterm deliveries and low birth weight, are described in epidemiological studies. Moreover, experimental evidence shows increased implantation failure rates and placental morphology alterations in exposed mice. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to analyse ovarian and uterine morphological changes resulting from chronic intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel exhaust in mice. METHODS. A experimental prospective crossover study. Mice were exposed to diesel exhaust with doses that correspond to the daily average PM2.5 levels reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and above the annual average PM2.5 levels. The diesel exhaust exposure doses were also below daily and annual levels recommended by the National Council of Environment (CONAMA). Four groups were examined: intrauterine and postnatal clean, filtered air exposure; intrauterine exposure to diesel only; postnatal exposure to diesel only; and intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel. Morphometric analyses of the ovaries and uterus were performed to define the relative area occupied by follicles, corpus luteum and stroma. These analyses also aimed to determine the proportionate area of glands, the epithelial layer and stroma within the uterine endometrium. RESULTS: A significant reduction in primordial follicles was observed in intra-uterine-exposed animals (p=0.035), those exposed during the postnatal period (p=0.015) and in animals exposed during both phases (p=0.004). Primary follicles were reduced in animals exposed during pregnancy (p=0.04). No significant changes were detected in uterine morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine exposure to currently acceptable levels of diesel exhaust compromises the reproductive potential of female mice, diminishing ovarian reserve when sexual maturity is achieved suggesting involvement of epigenetic changes. This effect in turn increases the risk of premature menopause. These findings suggest that environmental guidelines should be reviewed because diesel exposure affects future generations. Premature menopause reduces the span of the reproductive window, which is already shortening due to womens desire to bear children later in life

Methods for the determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with suspended participate matter were developed with the aim of determining airborne concentrations and to investigate seasonal trends. Other associate pollutants such as Total Suspended Particulate matter (TSP), Particulate Matter with an equivalent aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micrometres (PM10) and lead concentration were also reviewed to determine trends. Motor vehicle emissions appear to be the source of the PAHs and differences between the types and concentrations of PAHs detected at central business district sites verses suburban sites were noted. Wind erosion, biomass burning, motor vehicle emissions and industrial processes are sources of particulate matter in the atmosphere. Lead comes mainly from motor vehicles emissions in the ACT with some lead possibly from the burning of lead contaminated fuel. TSP and lead concentrations have decreased since air quality monitoring began in the early 1980s. PM10 concentration may also have fallen but the data set for PM10s is to small to draw any firm conclusions. Only TSP lead concentrations displayed a seasonal pattern. The ACT air pollution Act 1984 has placed restriction on the burning of fuels to improve air quality in the ACT. The air quality in regards to TSP and lead is improving. However, the only strong links between the Act and decreased pollutant concentrations is the introduction of unleaded petrol and the decrease of airborne lead concentrations.

Volumes of trade between the European Union and China have increased tremendously over the last decades, with the EU becoming China`s largest trading partner. Among the academic world there are serious concerns about the impacts of trade on national environmental regulation setting. There is fear that international trade will not only put advanced nations under strong competitive pressure to lower their environmental standards in order to stay competitive (race to the bottom) but also provide developing nations no incentives to strengthen their environmental protection measures as this would carry costs and reduce their global competitiveness (stuck at the bottom). In contrast to that believe, some scholars, such as David Vogel, argue that engaging in international trade can ¡V under certain assumptions ¡V result in tighter national regulation setting among trading partners (trading-up). This study sets out to analyze the linkage of trade and environmental standards between two major trading powers ¡V the EU and China. China`s integration with the world economy has spurred concerns among environmentalists as it was feared that the country`s national environmental regulatory system will be kept at low levels due to competitiveness considerations. However, China, the opposite can be observed. The EU has adopted strict environmental directives in several areas, and China has upgraded its environmental regulatory system. This study aims to find answers to the question if in the case of trade between the EU and China a situation of trading-up can be identified. In order to bring in domestic as well as international developments, the study applies a two-level games approach. The research is based on recent environmental directives that have been adopted by the EU. A selection of three directives forms the basis of the case studies: the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), car emissions standards, and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). The study provides insights into how China is affected by these external regulations, how it responded to them and how it tries to utilize them to boost its economic development and enhance the quality of its environment. As the study reveals, European environmental directives have positive impacts on China`s national environmental regulatory setting processes, since the EU regulations not only raise the awareness of the issue among China`s policy makers and public interest groups but they also called for responses from affected domestic constituents. The external regulations raised the stakes of numerous domestic actors which then had to decide how to react adequately. All in all, the study concludes that EU environmental directives have worked in favor of stricter regulation setting in China.

A significativa emissão veicular na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP), com mais de 7 milhões de veículos e uma população da ordem de 18 milhões de habitantes, fazem desta uma área crítica do ponto de vista de níveis de poluentes atmosféricos. Neste trabalho foi obtida a determinação quantitativa de fontes de poluentes atmosféricos na RMSP, em particular do material carbonáceo na fração fina (PM2.5) do aerossol atmosférico, focando na componente veicular. Como parte do projeto FONTES, coordenado pela Petrobrás, PUC-Rio e IFUSP, foram operadas por 1 ano quatro estações de amostragem localizadas em Congonhas (CGH), Ibirapuera (IBP), Cerqueira César (FSP) e Instituto de Física da USP (IFP), no período entre agosto de 2011 e janeiro de 2014. A concentração em massa de material particulado fino (PM2.5), grosso (PM2.5-10), e inalável (PM10) foi determinada através de análise gravimétrica. Íons solúveis foram determinados por cromatografia iônica (IC), elementos traços por fluorescência de raios-X (XRF) e as concentrações de black carbon equivalente por refletância ótica. As componentes de carbono orgânico (OC) e carbono elementar (EC), bem como as diversas frações carbonáceas foram determinadas por análises termo-ópticas em equipamento da Sunset Inc., seguindo vários protocolos analíticos. As concentrações de gases tais como CO, NOx, e O3 foram fornecidas por estações de monitoramento da CETESB. Modelos receptores tais como APFA (Absolute Principal Factor Analysis) foram usados na determinação quantitativa de fontes de poluentes. Observou-se uma grande similaridade nas concentrações medidas nas estações, indicando uma homogeneidade nas concentrações e composição de aerossóis da moda fina (PM2.5) na RMSP. Nas estações amostradoras IFP, FSP e IBP foram observadas concentrações entre 10 e 12g m-3 na fração fina e na faixa de 16 a 18 g m-3 na fração grossa. Em CGH, observou-se uma concentração média de 34 g m-3, para PM10. O balanço químico de massa mostrou, na fração fina, impacto predominante de aerossóis orgânicos (~50%), EC (~20%) e sulfato (~20%). Na fração grossa verificaram-se concentrações dominantes de aerossóis de poeira do solo (~40%). A APFA identificou e quantificou o impacto das componentes veicular (~60%), ressuspensão de solo (~10%), emissões industriais e de sulfato (~20%), aerossol marinho (~5%) e aerossol secundário (~5%). O impacto da componente veicular é dominante na RMSP. A aplicação dos modelos receptores forneceu a caracterização do material carbonáceo de acordo com as fontes de emissões e um perfil de volatilidade do material carbonáceo. / The large vehicle fleet in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (RMSP), with more than 7 million vehicles and a population of about 18 million people, make this a critical area from the point of view of atmospheric pollutants levels. This work focused on the quantitative determination of air pollutant sources, focusing at the vehicular component and the carbonaceous material in the fine fraction (PM2.5) of the atmospheric aerosol of RMSP. As part of the FONTES research project, coordinated by Petrobrás, PUC-Rio and IFUSP, it was operated for 1 year four sampling stations located in Congonhas (CGH), Ibirapuera (IBP), Cerqueira César (FSP) and the Institute of Physics at USP (IFP) during the period from August 2011 to January 2014. The mass concentrations of fine (PM2.5), coarse (PM2.5-10) and inhalable (PM10) particulate matter was determined by gravimetric analysis. Soluble ions were determined by ion chromatography (IC), trace elements by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and equivalent black carbon (EBC) concentration by optical reflectance. The organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) components, as well as several carbonaceous fractions were determined by thermo-optical analysis using a Sunset Inc. equipment, following various analytical protocols. The concentration of gases such as CO, NOx, and O3 were obtained from CETESB air pollution monitoring stations. Receptors models such APFA (Absolute Principal Factor Analysis) were used for the quantification of the impacts of polluting sources. It was observed similar concentrations in the several sampling stations, showing uniformity in the concentrations and aerosol composition of PM2.5 in the RMSP. For the sites IFP, FSP and IBP were observed concentrations between 10 and 12 g m-3 in the fine fraction and in the range from 16 to 18 g m-3 in the coarse fraction. In the CGH site, there was an average concentration of 34 g m-3 of PM10. The chemical mass balance showed large presence of organic aerosols (~50%), EC (~20%) and sulfate (~20%) in the fine mode fraction. In the coarse fraction soil dust aerosols (~40%) dominates. The APFA identified and quantified the impact of vehicular components (~60%), soil dust (~10%), industrial emissions and sulfate (~20%), marine aerosol (~5%) and secondary aerosol (~5%). Vehicular emissions is the major air pollution component at the RMSP. The application of receptor models has provided the source characterization of carbonaceous material according to their volatility profile.

Introdução A poluição do ar é um fator de risco associado com descompensação e mortalidade em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). Objetivo Avaliar o impacto de um filtro de polipropileno sobre desfechos cardiovasculares em pacientes com IC e voluntários saudáveis durante exposição controlada à poluição. Métodos Ensaio clínico duplocego, controlado e cruzado, incluindo 26 pacientes com IC e 15 voluntários saudáveis, expostos a três protocolos diferentes de inalação randomizados por ordem: Ar Limpo; Exposição à Partículas de Exaustão do Diesel (ED); e ED filtrada. Os desfechos estudados foram função endotelial por índice de hiperemia reativa (RHi) e índice de aumento (Aix), biomarcadores séricos, variáveis de teste cardiopulmonar submáximo (caminhada de seis-minutos [tc6m]; consumo de oxigênio [VO2]; equivalente ventilatório de gás carbônico [VE/VCO2 slope]; consumo de O2 por batida [PulsoO2]) e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC). Resultados No grupo IC, a ED piorou o RHi [de 2,17 (IQR: 1,8-2,5) para 1,72 (IQR: 1,5-2,2); p=0,002], reduziu o VO2 [de 11.0 ± 3.9 para 8.4±2.8ml/Kg/min; p < 0.001], o tc6m [de 243,3±13 para 220,8 ± 14m; p=0,030] e o PulsoO2 [de 8.9 ± 1.0 para 7.8±0.7ml/bpm; p < 0.001]; e aumentou o BNP [de 47,0pg/ml (IQR: 17,3-118,0) para 66,5pg/ml (IQR: 26,5-155,5); p=0,004]. O filtro foi capaz de reduzir a concentração de poluição de 325±31 para 25±6?g/m3 (p < 0,001 vs. ED). No grupo IC, o filtro foi associado com melhora no RHi [2,06 (IQR: 1,5-2,6); p=0,019 vs. ED); aumento no VO2 (10.4 ± 3.8ml/Kg/min; p < 0.001 vs. ED) e PulsoO2 (9.7±1.1ml/bpm; p < 0.001 vs. ED); e redução no BNP [44,0pg/ml (IQR: 20,0-110,0); p=0,015 vs. ED]. Em ambos os grupos, a ED reduziu o Aix, sem efeito do filtro. O uso do filtro foi associado com maior ventilação e reinalação de CO2. Outras variáveis pesquisadas como VE/VCO2 slope e VFC não sofreram influências entre os protocolos. Conclusão A poluição do ar afetou adversamente o desempenho cardiovascular de pacientes com IC. Este é o primeiro ensaio clínico demonstrando que um simples filtrorespiratório pode prevenir a disfunção endotelial, a intolerância ao exercício e o aumento do BNP associados à poluição em pacientes com IC. O uso de máscaras com filtro tem o potencial de reduzir a morbidade associada à IC. Identificador ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01960920 / Background Air pollution is considered a risk factor for heart failure (HF) decompensation and mortality. The effects of respiratory filters on patients with HF exposed to air pollution have not been established. Objective To test the effects of a respiratory filter intervention (filter) during controlled pollution exposure Methods Double-blind, randomized to order and 3-way crossover study with 26 HF patients and 15 control volunteers. Participants were exposed in three separate sessions to: clean air, diesel exhaust exposure (DE) or filtered-DE. Endpoints were endothelial function via reactive hyperemia index (RHi), and arterial stiffness (Aix), serum biomarkers, variables from submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (sixminute walk test [6mwt]; oxygen uptake [VO2]; ventilation and carbon dioxide production ratio [VE/VCO2 slope]; oxygen uptake per heart beat [O2Pulse]), and heart rate variability (HRV). Results In patients with HF, DE was associated with a worsening in RHi [from 2.17 (IQR: 1.8-2.5) to 1.72 (IQR: 1.5-2.2); p=0.002]; a decline in VO2 [from 11.0±3.9 to 8.4±2.8ml/Kg/min; 0.001], 6mwt [from 243.3 +- 13.0 to 220.8±13.7m; p=0.030] and O2Pulse [from 8.9±1.0 to 7.8±0.7ml/beat; 0.001] and a rise in BNP [from 47.0pg/ml (IQR: 17.3-118.0) to 66.5pg/ml (IQR: 26.5-155.5); p=0.004]. Filtration reduced the particulate concentration (from 325±31 to 25±6?g/m3; 0.001 vs. DE). In the HF group, filter was associated with an improvement in RHi [2.06 (IQR: 1.5-2.6); p=0.019 vs. DE]; an increase in VO2 (10.4 ± 3.8ml/Kg/min; p < 0.001 vs. DE) and O2Pulse (9.7 ± 1.1ml/beat; p < 0.001 vs. DE); and also a decrease in BNP [44.0pg/ml (IQR: 20.0-110.0); p=0.015 vs. DE]. In both groups DE decreased Aix, however filtration did not change these responses. In both groups, filtration was associated with higher pulmonary ventilation and CO2 rebreathing. Other variables as VE/VCO2 slope and HRV did not differ between exposure protocols. Conclusion Air pollution adversely affects cardiovascular performance in HF patients. To our knowledge, this is the first trial demonstrating that a simple respiratory-filter can prevent endothelial dysfunction; exercise intolerance and BNP rise in patients with HF during DE. Given these potential benefits, the widespread use of filters in HF subjects exposed to traffic-derived air pollution may have beneficial public health impacts and reduce the burden of HF ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01960920

Introdução: A análise das emissões dos combustíveis é de crucial importância para o entendimento da patogênese da morbi-mortalidade ocasionada pela poluição do ar. Objetivos: Analisar as emissões do combustível diesel e biodiesel (B50 e B100) sobre a toxicidade cardiovascular. Métodos: Camundongos Balb/C foram expostos a queima do diesel e/ou biodiesel durante uma hora. Os registros da freqüência cardíaca (FC), variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC) e da pressão arterial (PA) foram obtidas no tempo pré, 30 e 60 minutos após a exposição. Após 24 horas foram coletados o LBA, o sangue e a medula óssea para avaliar a inflamação pulmonar e sistêmica. Resultados: A queima do B100 reduziu as emissões da massa, fuligem, metais, CO, HPAs comparado as emissões do diesel e B50; ECG: RMSSD aumentou no grupo diesel (p < 0.05) comparado ao grupo controle, a BF aumentou no grupo diesel (p < 0.01) e B100 (p < 0.05) comparado ao grupo controle, a FC aumentou no grupo B100 (p < 0.05) comparado ao controle; sangue: o VCM aumentou no grupo B100 comparado aos grupos diesel (p < 0.01), B50 e controle (p < 0.001), o CHCM diminuiu no grupo B100 comparado aos grupos B50 (p < 0.001) e controle (p < 0.05), leucócitos aumentaram no grupo B50 comparado ao grupo diesel (p < 0.05), as plaquetas aumentaram no grupo B100 comparado aos grupos diesel e controle (p < 0.05), os reticulócitos aumentaram no grupo B50 comparado aos grupos diesel, controle (p < 0.01) e B100 (p < 0.05); medula óssea: os metamielócitos aumentaram nos grupos B50 e B100 comparado ao grupo diesel (p < 0.05); BAL: os neutrófilos aumentaram no grupo diesel e B50 comparado ao grupo controle (p < 0.05), os macrófagos aumentaram no grupo diesel (p < 0.01), B50 e B100 (p < 0.05) comparado ao grupo controle. Conclusão: O combustível biodiesel demonstrou ser tão tóxico quanto o diesel, promovendo um desequilíbrio no sistema nervoso autônomo, inflamação pulmonar e sistêmica / Background: Analysis of fuels emissions is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of mortality due air pollution. Objectives: To assess cardiovascular toxicity of diesel and biodiesel (50 and 100%) particles. Methods: Mice were exposed to diesel or biodiesel during one hour, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) were obtained immediately before, 30 and 60 minutes after exposure. After 24 hours: BAL, blood and bone marrow to evaluated inflammation were collected. Results: B100 decrease the emissions of mass, BC, inorganic, CO, PAHs and VOCs compared to B50 and diesel. ECG: RMSSD increased on diesel (p < 0.05) compared to control group; LF increased on diesel (p < 0.01) and B100 (p < 0.05) compared to control group; FC increased on B100 (p < 0.05) compared to control group. Blood: MCV increased on B100 compared to diesel (p < 0.01), B50 and control groups (p < 0.001), MCHC decreased on B100 compared to B50 (p < 0.001) and control groups (p < 0.05). Leucocytes increased on B50 compared to diesel group (p < 0.05); platelets increased on B100 compared to diesel and control groups (p < 0.05); reticulocytes increased on B50 compared to diesel, control (p < 0.01) and B100 groups (p < 0.05); Metamyelocites increased on B50 and B100 compared to diesel group (p < 0.05); BAL: Neutrophyls increased on diesel and B50 compared to control group (p < 0.05); macrophages increased on diesel (p < 0.01), B50 and B100 (p < 0.05) compared to control group. Conclusions: Biodiesel was more toxic than diesel because promoted pulmonary inflammation, bone marrow activation, increase of platelets and imbalance of the autonomic nervous system

A deterioração da qualidade do ar ameaça a qualidade de vida dos habitantes nos grandes centros urbanos. O material particulado é constituído por partículas sólidas, liquidas ou ambas, suspensas no ar. Os idosos são o grupo mais susceptível aos efeitos negativos da poluição atmosférica e essa população vem crescendo exponencialmente no mundo inteiro, afetando quase todos os países do mundo, inclusive o Brasil, atualmente representado por um contingente populacional correspondente a 12% da população. Há fortes evidências científicas que a família das sirtuínas tem grande influência no processo do envelhecimento e longevidade em mamíferos. Alguns estudos apontam uma função protetora de Sirt1 contra danos oxidativos e inflamatórios. O objetivo desse estudo é avaliar o impacto das partículas de exaustão do diesel (DEP) sobre as alterações pulmonares decorrentes do processo do envelhecimento e a possível influência das sirtuínas nesse processo. Camundongos na idade de 02 meses e 15 meses foram expostos às DEPs ou ar filtrado por um período de 30 dias. Os parâmetros funcionais foram mensurados pelo FlexiVent. Após as exposições os pulmões foram coletados e o perfil inflamatório avaliado no lavado broncoalveolar e no soro sanguíneo, por meio das mensurações das citocinas inflamatórias. O estresse oxidativo foi avaliado pela técnica espectrofotometria e as expressões gênicas das sirtuínas foram mensuradas pela técnica de RT-PCR no homogenato do tecido pulmonar. De forma geral, além das diferenças fisiológicas relacionadas com a idade observadas entre os grupos, às exposições as DEPs afetaram o perfil inflamatório e as enzimas antioxidantes nos animais jovens e idosos. Além disso, o grupo idoso apresentou comprometeram no ganho de peso e aumento na deposição de colágeno no tecido pulmonar. As exposições diminuíram os níveis de expressão gênica de Sirt6, enquanto Sirt1 foi diminuída com a idade. Em conjunto, os dados obtidos enfatizam que as exposições ambientais aceleraram as alterações associadas ao envelhecimento pulmonar / The deterioration of the air quality is a threat to the habitants\' quality of life of the urban areas. The particulate matter is constituted of solid, liquid or both particles suspended in the air. The elderly is the most susceptible group to the harmful effects of the air pollution and this population is growing exponentially all over the world, affecting almost all the countries, including Brazil, representing 12.1% of the population. There are strong scientific evidences that the Sirtuins family has great influence on the aging and longevity process in mammals. Some studies points out a Sirt1 protective function against oxidative and inflammatory damage. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) on the pulmonary changes resulting from the aging process and the possible influence of the sirtuins in this process. Two and fifteen months old mice were exposed to DEP for a period of 30 days. Functional assessment of these animals was measured by FlexiVent. After the exposures period, the lungs were collected and the inflammatory profile was evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood serum, by means of the measurements of the inflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the spectrophotometric technique and the sirtuin gene expression was measured by the RT-PCR technique in the pulmonary tissue homogenate. Our data showed that, besides the age-related physiological differences observed between groups; exposure to DEPs affected the inflammatory profile and antioxidant enzymes activity in young and old animals. In addition, the elderly group presented compromised in weight gain and increased collagen deposition in lung tissue. The exposures decreased gene expression levels of Sirt6, while Sirt1 was decreased due to age. Taken together, the data obtained emphasize that environmental exposures accelerated changes associated with pulmonary aging

Muito se conhece sobre os efeitos deletérios da poluição do ar, e a sua influência sobre a mortalidade e morbidade por problemas respiratórios e também por doenças cardiovasculares. Diversos métodos têm sido estudados no sentido de se avaliar as consequências da exposição aos poluentes atmosféricos sobre a saúde humana, bem como, tentar estabelecer os mecanismos que envolvem esta relação. Dados antropométricos, exames de imagem e marcadores laboratoriais têm sido utilizados no sentido de se investigar o desenvolvimento de doença aterosclerótica e, a partir daí, tentar estabelecer uma relação entre os fatores de risco, dentre eles, os poluentes atmosféricos e a aterogênese. Sabe-se que a medida ultrassonográfica da espessura da camada íntima - média das artérias carótidas (EIMC) - tem sido descrita como uma análise complementar de grande potencial na avaliação não invasiva da atividade inflamatória vascular, da gênese e do desenvolvimento da doença aterosclerótica, sendo considerado um preditor independente de risco para morbidade e mortalidade por causas cardiovasculares. Este projeto de pesquisa utilizou o banco de dados relativos ao estado de São Paulo do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) e teve por objetivo investigar os possíveis efeitos da poluição atmosférica produzida pelo tráfego veicular na EIMC nos sujeitos incluídos neste projeto. A mensuração da exposição aos poluentes foi feita por meio de medidas indiretas utilizando-se a densidade de tráfego veicular dos locais georreferenciados (local de trabalho e domicílio), a distância da residência dos sujeitos do estudo em relação a vias de grande fluxo de veículos e, ainda, a distância percorrida no deslocamento dos sujeitos entre o domicílio e o local trabalho. Foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal com o modelo de regressão linear univariado e multivariado para se avaliar a possível correlação entre a exposição aos poluentes do ar e espessura da íntima média das carótidas (EIMC) / Air pollution has been well known to have deleterious effects, which leads to mortality and morbidity due to respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. Several methods have been used to evaluate the consequences of exposure to air pollutants on human health, to identify the mechanisms involving this relationship. Anthropometric data, imaging studies, and laboratory markers have been used to investigate the development of atherosclerotic disease and, based on this, we tried to identify the relationship between the risk factors, such as atmospheric pollutants and atherogenesis. Ultrasound measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been potentially described as a great complementary analysis in noninvasive assessment of vascular inflammatory activity, onset, and development of atherosclerotic disease, and is considered an independent predictor of risk for morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. The database from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) in São Paulo was used in this study, to investigate the possible effects of air pollution produced by vehicular traffic in the CIMT of the subjects. The measurement of exposure to air pollutants was made through indirect measures of the density of vehicular traffic of georeferenced locations (work and home), the distance from the subjects\' residence to high traffic flow areas, as well as the distance covered during subjects\' commuting from their homes to workplace. A cross-sectional study using the univariate and multivariate linear regression models was conducted to evaluate the possible correlation between exposure to air pollutants and CIMT

An intercomparison exercise of the world-harmonized light-duty vehicle test procedure (WLTP) aiming at measuring ethanol, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde emissions from a flex-fuel light-duty vehicle using E85 was conducted in the Vehicle Emission Laboratory (VELA) at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC), Ispra, Italy. The instruments used during the intercomparison allowed online measurements of these compounds directly from the diluted exhaust. Measurements were done either in real time or immediately after the test. The measurement and analysis of exhaust emissions over the world-harmonized light-duty vehicle test cycle was done by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-Qi-ToF-MS), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and gas chromatography (GC). Results showed that online systems can perform measurements from the vehicle diluted exhaust assuring a good repeatability (within instrument variance) and reproducibility (between instrument variance) of the results. Measurements from all the instruments were in good agreement (|Z-score| < 2). Results showed that online systems can perform measurements from the vehicle diluted exhaust assuring the reproducibility and repeatability of the results. Results obtained measuring at the tailpipe using a FTIR were in good agreement with those acquired measuring at the constant volume sampler (CVS). Considering the low sensitivity of the current technique used to measure hydrocarbons emissions towards oxygenated compounds (flame ionization detector; FID), non-methane organic gases (NMOG) were calculated applying their FID response factors to the measured emissions of ethanol, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. NMOG resulted to be up to 74% higher than measured non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC).

The transportation sector is the dominant source of U.S. fuel consumption and emissions. Specifically, highway travel accounts for nearly 75 percent of total transportation energy use and slightly more than 33 percent of national emissions of EPA's six Criteria pollutants. Enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990 (CAAA) and the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) have changed the ways that most states and local governments deal with transportation problems. Transportation planning is geared to improve air quality as well as mobility. It is required that each transportation activity be analyzed in advance using the most recent mobile emission estimate model to ensure not to violate the Conformity Regulation. Several types of energy and emission models have been developed to capture the impact of a number of factors on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. Specifically, the current state-of-practice in emission modeling (i.e. Mobile5 and EMFAC7) uses the average speed as a single explanatory variable. However, up to date there has not been a systematic attempt to quantify the impact of various travel and driver-related factors on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. This thesis first systematically quantifies the impact of various travel-related and driver-related factors on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. The analysis indicates that vehicle fuel consumption and emission rates increase considerably as the number of vehicle stops increases especially at high cruise speed. However, vehicle fuel consumption is more sensitive to the cruise speed level than to vehicle stops. The aggressiveness of a vehicle stop, which represents a vehicle's acceleration and deceleration level, does have an impact on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. Specifically, the HC and CO emission rates are highly sensitive to the level of acceleration when compared to cruise speed in the range of 0 to 120 km/h. The impact of the deceleration level on all MOEs is relatively small. At high speeds the introduction of vehicle stops that involve extremely mild acceleration levels can actually reduce vehicle emission rates. Consequently, the thesis demonstrated that the use of average speed as a sole explanatory variable is inadequate for estimating vehicle fuel consumption and emissions, and the addition of speed variability as an explanatory variable results in better models. Second, the thesis identifies a number of critical variables as potential explanatory variables for estimating vehicle fuel consumption and emission rates. These explanatory variables include the average speed, the speed variance, the number of vehicle stops, the acceleration noise associated with positive acceleration and negative acceleration noise, the kinetic energy, and the power exerted. Statistical models are developed using these critical variables. The statistical models predict the vehicle fuel consumption rate and emission rates of HC, CO, and NOx (per unit of distance) within an accuracy of 88%-96% when compared to instantaneous microscopic models (Ahn and Rakha, 1999), and predict emission rates of HC, CO, and NOx within 95 percentile confidence limits of chassis dynamometer tests conducted by EPA. Comparing with the current state-of-practice, the proposed statistical models provide better estimates for vehicle fuel consumption and emissions because speed variances about the average speed along a trip are considered in these models. On the other hand, the statistical models only require several aggregate trip variables as input while generating reasonable estimates that are consistent with microscopic model estimates. Therefore, these models could be used with transportation planning models for conformity analysis. / Master of Science