Previous studies have demonstrated that EPA approved federal reference method (FRM) samplers can substantially misrepresent the fractions of particles being emitted from agricultural operations due to the relationship between the performance characteristics of these samplers and existing ambient conditions. Controlled testing in a wind tunnel is needed to obtain a clearer understanding and quantification of the performance shifts of these samplers under varying aerosol concentrations, wind speeds and dust types. In this study, sampler performance was tested in a controlled environment wind tunnel meeting EPA requirements for particulate matter (PM) sampler evaluation. The samplers evaluated included two low-volume PM10 and Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) pre-separators. The masses and particle size distributions (PSDs) obtained from the filters of tested samplers were compared to those of a collocated isokinetic sampler. Sampler performance was documented using two parameters: cut-point (d_50) and slope. The cut-point is the particle diameter corresponding to 50% collection efficiency of the pre-separator while the slope is the ratio of particle sizes corresponding to cumulative collection efficiencies of 84.1% and 50% (d_84.1/d_50) or 50% and 15.9% (d_50/d_15.9) or the square root of 84.1% and 15.9% (d_84.1/d_ 15.9). The test variables included three levels of wind speeds (2-, 8-, and 24-km/h), five aerosol concentrations varying from 150 to 1,500 mu g/m3 and three aerosols with different PSDs (ultrafine Arizona Road Dust (ARD), fine ARD and cornstarch). No differences were detected between the performance of the flat and louvered FRM PM10 samplers (a = 0.05). The mean cut-point of both the PM10 samplers was 12.23 mu m while the mean slope was 2.46. The mean cut-point and slope values were statistically different from the upper limit of EPA-specified performance criteria of 10.5 mu m for the cut-point and 1.6 for the slope. The PM10 samplers over-sampled cornstarch but under-sampled ultrafine and fine ARD. The performance of the dome-top TSP sampler was close to the isokinetic sampler, and thus it can be used as a reference sampler in field sampling campaigns to determine true PM concentrations. There were large variations in the performance of the cone-top TSP samplers as compared to the isokinetic sampler. Dust type and wind speed along with their interaction had an impact on sampler performance. Cut-points of PM10 samplers were found to increase with increasing wind speeds. Aerosol concentration did not impact the cut-points and slopes of the tested samplers even though their interaction with dust types and wind speeds had an impact on sampler performance.

Particulate emissions from diesel engines have been a key issue for diesel engine developers in recent decades. Their work has succeeded in reducing the exhaust particles from the combustion of fuel, which has led to increasing interest in the contribution of particulates from lubrication oil. When discussing oil-related particulate emissions, hydrocarbon particles are customarily referred to. This thesis uses a broader definition, in which oil-related particulate emissions are modelled not only by the hydrocarbons, but also include the ash, carbons, and sulphate oil particulate emissions. The model developed in the project uses input data as oil consumption and oil ash content combined with tuning parameters, such as the oil ash transfer rate (ash emissions divided by oil consumption and oil ash content). Controlled engine tests have been performed to verify assumptions and fill knowledge gaps. The model can be applied to a variety of diesel engines, although the tuning factors might have to be reset. For example, introducing diesel particulate filters would dramatically reduce the oil ash emissions, since oil ash would accumulate in the filter. Oil consumption has played a central role in the present research. The modelling results indicate that special attention should be paid to oil consumption under running conditions with a low in-cylinder temperature, since the oil survival rate is high there. Under low-load and motoring conditions, hydrocarbons proved to be the main contributor to oil-related particulate emissions. At high engine load, oil ash emissions were the largest contributor to oil-related particulate emissions. / QC 20101103

<p>In recent decades much effort has gone into reducing particle emissions in the exhaust gases of heavy-duty diesel engines. Engine development has now reached the stage where it is worth to put heavy focus on the contribution of lubricating oil to particulate emissions in order to further reduce these emissions.</p><p> </p><p>A literature study demonstrates that the cylinder system is usually the largest source of oil-related particles. Oil consumption in the cylinder can be divided into <em>throw-off</em> effects when inertia forces act on the piston, piston rings and oil; <em>evaporation</em> from hot surfaces; <em>reverse blow-by</em> when gas pressure drives the oil consumption; and <em>top land scraping </em>when oil is scraped off the cylinder liner.</p><p> </p><p>The pressure between the compression rings strongly affects the stability and position of the upper compression ring as well as the oil consumption caused by the reverse blow-by. A method to measure the inter-ring pressure was developed and evaluated. The measurements showed that cycle-to-cycle variations were small, but that the inter-ring pressure varied over time. Calculations with AVL Excite Piston and Rings confirmed that ring gap positions can have a major influence on the inter-ring pressure.</p><p> </p><p>The measured particle size and number distributions at motoring conditions show interesting and unexpected results. The high number of particles with a diameter of around 100 nm was greatly reduced when the temperature in the diluter was increased. The mean number particle diameter decreased until 10 nm and then became stable independent of further temperature increase. Other authors have found that the small particles (nucleation mode) are reduced and the larger particles (accumulation mode) are more or less unaffected when exhaust gases are heated up and diluted.  </p><p> </p>

The performance of the AERMOD and ADMS dispersion models was tested using PM10 (thoracic dust) emissions from Rössing Uranium Mine open pit in Namibia. The performance of the two models was evaluated against the observations and also against each other using various statistical measures. The models were tested under different case scenarios (cases explained in chapter 4) with the aim of evaluating their performances as well as their inter model variability. The study was undertaken from the 13 July 2009 – 14 August 2009. The results from the study showed that the performance of ADMS was superior to that of AERMOD. In general, the performance of AERMOD was very poor and simulated extremely high concentration values. AERMOD performed even more poorly during calm conditions. ADMS performance was superior to AERMOD as was evident from the values of various performance statistical measures and a conclusion reached was that ADMS is likely to be a better model to use in cases where prolonged calm conditions are experienced. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Main findings Although the data did not allow the inclusion of non-identified or “unknown” sources, allocation of the impact at the receptor point to the identified sources proved possible and useful in comparing individual tailings dams contributions. The No. 4 tailings dam has been identified as one of the major contributors to PM10 concentration at West Village. The average PM10 gravimetric concentration recorded at West Village was 18.4 μg/m3 and the concentration with the light scatter method was 15.4 μg/m3. Black carbon has been identified as significant contributor to overall PM10 mass concentrations with up to 34% in the winter season. Source appointment from receptor-based measurements has not been previously conducted at Driefontein Gold Mine. Source apportionment can make a valuable contribution in attempts to reduce air pollution. At a site where particulate matter is the predominant pollutant from a variety of potential sources, the contributions from the individual sources may be difficult to distinguish especially if the sources fall within a single category type with similar pollutant profiles. It would be useful to ascertain the individual contributions so that the effectiveness of existing control measures can be determined and areas where additional controls may be required can be identified. Too this effect, potential dust sources at and around a gold mine were identified. Samples of the dust sources were collected and analysed for their elemental compositions and abundances. A receptor point in a mine village was selected and equipped with an ESampler PM10 dust monitor as well as an aethalometer, the MicroAeth AE51 (MicroAeth). Monthly receptor samples were collected and analysed for their elemental concentrations. The elemental compositions of the potential sources and the concentrations at the receptor were statistically analysed for 12 periods of a month each to determine the possible contributions to the PM10 concentration at a mine village (West Village, Driefontein Mine, near Carletonville). Main conclusions Operational tailings dams can under, certain conditions contribute the major portion of fallout dust and PM10, even more than dormant tailings dams. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Chemical Engineering / Unrestricted

Harmattan and Dust (sand) storms together with anthropogenic activities including the use of firewood and kerosene as fuel for cooking, and diesel/petrol generators for electricity generation are potential sources of particulate and gaseous pollutants in homes in Damaturu town, Nigeria. Other activities like the burning of locally produced incense and mosquito coils as well as the use of aerosol sprays are further possible sources of indoor pollution, which may result in exposure of people to a range of pollutants through inhalation, by ingestion of settled dusts as well as dermal contact. Local people associate occurrence of dust events with adverse health effects and hence there is a need for an understanding of the composition of the settled and airborne dusts in order to assess the possible associated health risks. The first phase of the study involved selection and development of methods of dust sampling and analysis. For validation of the methods employed and to establish a broad understanding of the characteristics of the settled dusts, an initial survey study was conducted involving the application of thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) analysis for organic compound analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for analysis of metals, and microbiological analysis. Airborne samples were also collected using sorbent tubes to determine organic compounds in air during activities such as cooking with kerosene, gas, and firewood as well as during electricity generation with fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide (CO) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) monitored simultaneously during some of the household activities. The study involved a novel method of extracting organic chemical emissions from dust by heating of the dusts directly in a micro chamber (μ-CTETM) and collection of emissions on sampling tubes. The method provided a relatively quick way of collecting chemical emissions from dusts that are readily available for release. The sampled tubes were analysed by TD/GC/MS. The conventional solvent extraction of the dusts was also carried out and the extracts were analysed by liquid injection-GC/MS and results of the two methods compared. The study determined a number of constituents (metals, SVOCs, phthalates and physical properties) of dusts collected from households in Damaturu during different weather events and from different indoor/outdoor locations; and compared with some UK samples. The samples investigated include dusts deposited; during two notable dusty-weather events (Harmattan and Storm) as well as when there was no notable dust event; during human activities; and dusts from different types of buildings (modern and traditional homes) as well as inside and outside homes. A standard reference material for organic chemicals (SRM 2585) was also analysed. The physical characterization of the settled house dust samples analysed revealed the various shapes and sizes, and elemental composition of the constituents, which included respirable particles. The microbial analysis also indicated the presence of the spores of a host of fungi and bacterial species; and the possible contributions of household activities to the increased production of pollutants (UFP and CO) ascertained. The μ-CTE extraction of the house dusts by heating with TD/GC/MS analysis of the emissions as well as the solvent extraction-GC/MS revealed the presence of many organic chemical compounds with different analytical retention times and varying concentrations in the dust samples. Chemicals of interest quantified: benzene, hexanal, nonanal, diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutylphthalate (DIBP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), and diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP). A host of other chemicals commonly present in the analysed samples identified using the NIST library associated with the MS system software. These chemicals included naphthalene and C10-C16 aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, which would need confirmation by running the pure compound samples. There was an observed higher concentration of the chemicals in the solvent extracts than the μ-CTE extracted dust. The higher concentration of the chemicals in the solvent extracts expected due to the aggressive removal of the chemicals by the organic solvent whereas in the case of thermal extraction only the readily available chemicals (loosely bound to the matrix) released by increases in temperature were removed. Generally, the concentrations of the chemicals found were higher in the indoor than in the outdoor dust samples. In the analysis of the dusts collected during weather events; higher chemical concentrations observed in the samples collected during Harmattan period than the other periods. The Harmattan dust period may pose increased exposures to dust and possible health risks. More exposure is expected to occur in the traditional homes compared with the modern homes due to the higher concentrations of the chemicals in both the indoors and the outdoors and this may be especially important to women and children who spend most of their times at home. Metal analysis involved microwave-assisted digestion of the dust samples followed by ICP-MS analysis. The total quant method of metal analysis for a general profiling indicated the presence of more than 50 elemental contaminants in house dust. The results of the quantitative analysis for six target metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed their presence in all indoor and the outdoor dust samples. The mean concentrations showed that the metals were in higher concentrations in the indoor dusts than in the outdoor dusts. The quantitative analysis carried out indicated higher metal contents in the storm dusts than the dusts during the other periods. Results of the dusts collected from modern and traditional homes indicated the presence of the metals in higher concentrations in the dusts from traditional homes than the dusts from the modern homes. The estimated mean concentrations of the metals and phthalates inadvertently ingested as a constituent of dust indicated that some of the pollutants could exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) due to high exposures to dust expected to be the case in Damaturu. The results of the investigation of the dust composition, combined with information on exposure to dust and pollutants, show that dusts are a risk to the health of people in the Damataru community. Recommendations are made for more studies to provide a better understanding of dust ingestion and exposure to some phthalates and heavy metals in particular and the possible health risks. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever research study of airborne and settled dusts undertaken in North-Eastern Nigeria.

No description available.

DA CASTANHA DE CAJU Apesar da importância social e econômica do beneficiamento da castanha de caju para o Rio Grande do Norte, a produção ainda é realizada de forma artesanal. Para a coleta da amêndoa da castanha é necessário assá-la. A fumaça gerada durante a queima da castanha possui altas concentrações de Material Particulado (MP) e esse MP produzido é inalado diariamente por grupos familiares por um período que pode exceder a 10 horas diárias. Em geral, os poluentes atmosféricos oriundos da queima de biomassa são potencialmente nocivos a saúde, relacionando-se com eventos de genotoxicidade, aumento no número de internações hospitalares e ambulatoriais, e mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias. O presente trabalho teve três objetivos principais: 1° Realizar medições na concentração de O3, NO2, MP, Black Carbon (BC) e composição elementar do MP 2,5 provenientes da queima da castanha. 2° Identificar o potencial mutagênico associado ao beneficiamento artesanal da castanha de caju durante a estação seca, chuvosa e intermediária no RN (Brasil) com o auxílio do teste de micronúcleo (MN) em Tradescantia pallida. 3° Verificar o efeito mutagênico da atividade em MN de células esfoliadas de mucosa oral de trabalhadores envolvidos no beneficiamento. Para isso, três locais distintos foram definidos como pontos testes: Ponto 1. Comunidade do Amarelão, situada no perímetro rural do município de João Câmara-RN (local onde ocorre a queima da castanha de caju); Ponto 2. Fazenda Santa Luzia, situada próxima à região de queima da castanha de caju (local com as mesma condições ambientais do Ponto 1, porém sem a influência da atividade); Ponto 3. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), zona urbana de Natal-RN. Os resultados obtidos para o O3 e NO2 não excederam os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. No entanto, os resultados da medição de MP obtidos com o medidor portátil \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerossol Monitor \" indicou que entre as 8 medições de MP realizadas no Ponto 1, 7 excederam o nível de exposição definido como \"estado de emergência \"descrito na legislação brasileira (500µg/m 3 ), diferindo significativamente dos resultados obtidos nos Pontos 2 e 3 (6µg/m 3 ). As avaliações realizadas nos meses de Janeiro, Maio e Setembro de 2009, com o Mini-sampler confirmaram os resultados previamente obtidos com o \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerossol Monitor \".O valor médio de MP 2,5 (Jan - 548,412 µg/m 3 ; Mai - 1022,232 µg/m 3 ; Set - 1291,946 µg/m 3 ) e BC (Jan - 46,798 µg/m 3 ; Mai 70,068- µg/m 3 ; Set - 69,432 µg/m 3 ) obtido nas três campanhas para o Ponto 1 foram significativamente maiores que o Ponto 2 e 3. Para o Ponto 1 os elementos Si, S, Cl, K, Ni, Cu e Zn quando presentes estiveram em concentrações superiores aos Pontos 2 e 3. Os testes de genotoxicidade com T. pallida indicou aumento significativo no número de MN em todas as campanhas. Os resultados com células de mucosa oral humana corroboraram com o biomonitor vegetal, sendo verificado aumento significativo na freqüência de MN. Os resultados obtidos caracterizaram um dos piores níveis de exposição humana ao MP já relatado na literatura, excedendo amplamente os limites da legislação brasileira assim como os da OMS. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram um problema ocupacional grave, sendo necessária intervenção imediata dos gestores públicos na tentativa de minimizar os efeitos lesivos da atividade. / x Despite the social and economic importance of the processing of cashew nuts to Rio Grande do Norte, the production is still carried out artisanally. To collect the almond nut is necessary to roasting. The smoke generated during the burning of the nut has high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and the PM produced is inhaled daily by families for a period which can exceed 10 hours a day. In general, air pollutants come from burning biomass are potentially harmful to health, relating to genotoxicity events, increase in the number of hospitalizations and outpatient, and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This project had three main objectives: 1 Make measurements in the concentration of O3, NO2, MP, Black Carbon (BC) and elemental composition of the PM 2.5 from the combustion of the cashew nut. 2 Identify the mutagenic potential associated with artisanally processing of cashew nut during the dry season, wet and intermediate in RN (Brazil) by using a micronucleus (MN) bioassay of T. pallida tetrads. 3 To investigate the effect of mutagenic activity in exfoliated cells of oral mucosa of workers involved in processing. For this, three test sites were chosen for this purpose: Site 1. the Amarelão community - where the roasting occurs, Site 2. the Santa Luzia farm - an area near the roasting site, though without direct influence on the process and Site 3. the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) - an urban area of Natal, Brazil. The results obtained for the O3 and NO2 do not exceed the limits established by Brazilian legislation. However, the results of the measurement of PM obtained with the portable meter \"DUSTTRAK (TM) Aerosol Monitor\" has indicated that between 8 PM measurements made at Site 1, 7 exceeded the level of exposure defined as \"emergency rule\" described in the Brazilian legislation (500 ? g/m 3 ), differing significantly from the results obtained in Sites 2 and 3 (6 ? g/m 3 ). Evaluations in January, May and September 2009, with the Mini-sampler confirmed the results previously obtained with the \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerosol Monitor.The average value of 2.5 MP (Jan - 548.412 mg/m 3 ; May - 1022.232 mg/m 3 ; Set - 1291.946 mg/m 3 ) and BC (Jan - 46.798 mg/m 3 ; May 70.068 - mg/m 3 ; Set - 69.432 mg/m 3 ) obtained in the three campaigns for Site 1 were significantly higher than the Site 2 and 3. To the Site 1 the elements Si, S, Cl, K, Ni, Cu and Zn when present were at concentrations higher than the Sites 2 and 3. Genotoxicity tests with T. pallida showed a significant increase in the number of MN in all campaigns. The results with cells of human oral mucosa have confirmed the biomonitoring, and found significant increase in the frequency of MN. The results marked one of the worst levels of human exposure to PM has been reported in the literature and greatly exceeded the limits of the Brazilian legislation as well as the WHO. The results showed a serious occupational problem, requiring immediate intervention of public officials in an attempt to minimize the harmful effects of the activity.

DA CASTANHA DE CAJU Apesar da importância social e econômica do beneficiamento da castanha de caju para o Rio Grande do Norte, a produção ainda é realizada de forma artesanal. Para a coleta da amêndoa da castanha é necessário assá-la. A fumaça gerada durante a queima da castanha possui altas concentrações de Material Particulado (MP) e esse MP produzido é inalado diariamente por grupos familiares por um período que pode exceder a 10 horas diárias. Em geral, os poluentes atmosféricos oriundos da queima de biomassa são potencialmente nocivos a saúde, relacionando-se com eventos de genotoxicidade, aumento no número de internações hospitalares e ambulatoriais, e mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias. O presente trabalho teve três objetivos principais: 1° Realizar medições na concentração de O3, NO2, MP, Black Carbon (BC) e composição elementar do MP 2,5 provenientes da queima da castanha. 2° Identificar o potencial mutagênico associado ao beneficiamento artesanal da castanha de caju durante a estação seca, chuvosa e intermediária no RN (Brasil) com o auxílio do teste de micronúcleo (MN) em Tradescantia pallida. 3° Verificar o efeito mutagênico da atividade em MN de células esfoliadas de mucosa oral de trabalhadores envolvidos no beneficiamento. Para isso, três locais distintos foram definidos como pontos testes: Ponto 1. Comunidade do Amarelão, situada no perímetro rural do município de João Câmara-RN (local onde ocorre a queima da castanha de caju); Ponto 2. Fazenda Santa Luzia, situada próxima à região de queima da castanha de caju (local com as mesma condições ambientais do Ponto 1, porém sem a influência da atividade); Ponto 3. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), zona urbana de Natal-RN. Os resultados obtidos para o O3 e NO2 não excederam os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. No entanto, os resultados da medição de MP obtidos com o medidor portátil \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerossol Monitor \" indicou que entre as 8 medições de MP realizadas no Ponto 1, 7 excederam o nível de exposição definido como \"estado de emergência \"descrito na legislação brasileira (500µg/m 3 ), diferindo significativamente dos resultados obtidos nos Pontos 2 e 3 (6µg/m 3 ). As avaliações realizadas nos meses de Janeiro, Maio e Setembro de 2009, com o Mini-sampler confirmaram os resultados previamente obtidos com o \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerossol Monitor \".O valor médio de MP 2,5 (Jan - 548,412 µg/m 3 ; Mai - 1022,232 µg/m 3 ; Set - 1291,946 µg/m 3 ) e BC (Jan - 46,798 µg/m 3 ; Mai 70,068- µg/m 3 ; Set - 69,432 µg/m 3 ) obtido nas três campanhas para o Ponto 1 foram significativamente maiores que o Ponto 2 e 3. Para o Ponto 1 os elementos Si, S, Cl, K, Ni, Cu e Zn quando presentes estiveram em concentrações superiores aos Pontos 2 e 3. Os testes de genotoxicidade com T. pallida indicou aumento significativo no número de MN em todas as campanhas. Os resultados com células de mucosa oral humana corroboraram com o biomonitor vegetal, sendo verificado aumento significativo na freqüência de MN. Os resultados obtidos caracterizaram um dos piores níveis de exposição humana ao MP já relatado na literatura, excedendo amplamente os limites da legislação brasileira assim como os da OMS. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram um problema ocupacional grave, sendo necessária intervenção imediata dos gestores públicos na tentativa de minimizar os efeitos lesivos da atividade. / x Despite the social and economic importance of the processing of cashew nuts to Rio Grande do Norte, the production is still carried out artisanally. To collect the almond nut is necessary to roasting. The smoke generated during the burning of the nut has high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and the PM produced is inhaled daily by families for a period which can exceed 10 hours a day. In general, air pollutants come from burning biomass are potentially harmful to health, relating to genotoxicity events, increase in the number of hospitalizations and outpatient, and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This project had three main objectives: 1 Make measurements in the concentration of O3, NO2, MP, Black Carbon (BC) and elemental composition of the PM 2.5 from the combustion of the cashew nut. 2 Identify the mutagenic potential associated with artisanally processing of cashew nut during the dry season, wet and intermediate in RN (Brazil) by using a micronucleus (MN) bioassay of T. pallida tetrads. 3 To investigate the effect of mutagenic activity in exfoliated cells of oral mucosa of workers involved in processing. For this, three test sites were chosen for this purpose: Site 1. the Amarelão community - where the roasting occurs, Site 2. the Santa Luzia farm - an area near the roasting site, though without direct influence on the process and Site 3. the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) - an urban area of Natal, Brazil. The results obtained for the O3 and NO2 do not exceed the limits established by Brazilian legislation. However, the results of the measurement of PM obtained with the portable meter \"DUSTTRAK (TM) Aerosol Monitor\" has indicated that between 8 PM measurements made at Site 1, 7 exceeded the level of exposure defined as \"emergency rule\" described in the Brazilian legislation (500 ? g/m 3 ), differing significantly from the results obtained in Sites 2 and 3 (6 ? g/m 3 ). Evaluations in January, May and September 2009, with the Mini-sampler confirmed the results previously obtained with the \"DUSTTRAK (TM)Aerosol Monitor.The average value of 2.5 MP (Jan - 548.412 mg/m 3 ; May - 1022.232 mg/m 3 ; Set - 1291.946 mg/m 3 ) and BC (Jan - 46.798 mg/m 3 ; May 70.068 - mg/m 3 ; Set - 69.432 mg/m 3 ) obtained in the three campaigns for Site 1 were significantly higher than the Site 2 and 3. To the Site 1 the elements Si, S, Cl, K, Ni, Cu and Zn when present were at concentrations higher than the Sites 2 and 3. Genotoxicity tests with T. pallida showed a significant increase in the number of MN in all campaigns. The results with cells of human oral mucosa have confirmed the biomonitoring, and found significant increase in the frequency of MN. The results marked one of the worst levels of human exposure to PM has been reported in the literature and greatly exceeded the limits of the Brazilian legislation as well as the WHO. The results showed a serious occupational problem, requiring immediate intervention of public officials in an attempt to minimize the harmful effects of the activity.

Le transport routier est responsable d’une part des émissions de particules fines, notamment dans les grandes agglomérations. Celles-ci ayant des répercussions graves sur la santé humaine et l’environnement, des normes d’émissions des véhicules de plus en plus strictes sont mises en place. Des limites en nombre de particules sont imposées et une obligation de connaitre l’état de santé des organes de post-traitement des gaz d’échappement est également entrée en vigueur (On-Board Diagnostic : OBD).Les capteurs résistifs ont montré de bons résultats pour la mesure de la concentration massique des particules et ont l’avantage d’être simples à mettre en oeuvre, robustes et peu onéreux. Le principe de fonctionnement du capteur est basé sur la mesure de la conductance entre des électrodes de platine. Celle-ci augmente avec le dépôt de suies.L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est de parvenir à déterminer les paramètres clés qui affectent la réponse du capteur. Trois flux de suies présentant des distributions en taille différentes ont été sélectionnés et caractérisés. Un quatrième flux de suies a permis d’appréhender l’impact d’une concentration massique inférieure. La réponse du capteur à ces différents flux de suies a été étudiée. Nous avons montré que la sensibilité et le temps de réponse du capteur sont optimaux pour une tension de polarisation donnée entre les deux électrodes dont la valeur dépend de la distribution en taille des suies. Ce phénomène a été expliqué par les propriétés électriques différentes des suies et modélisé par un équilibre entre accumulation et combustion par effet Joule des suies déposées permettant de simuler la réponse temporelle du capteur. / Road transport contributes to a part of the particulate matter emissions, especially in big cities. Due to the negative effect of these pollutants on the human health and environment, more and more stringent emission standards for automotive are applied. These emissions are now limited in number of particles per kilometer and the vehicle need to indicate when there is some failure of the systems of depollution (OBD: On-Board diagnostic).Resistive sensors have shown good results to measure soot particles mass concentration. They have advantage of being a simple and robust technology that can be easily manufactured at a cheap price. The sensor principle consists of conductance measurement between two platinum electrodes. Conductance increases with soot deposition. This work aims to define the key parameters that affect the sensors response. Three particles flow with different particles size distributions (centered at 90, 70 and 50 nm) were used and characterized. A fourth flow was used to see the impact of a lower mass concentration. The sensor response exposed to these different flows was studied. It was shown that the sensor sensibility and response times are optimal for a given polarization voltage between the electrodes whose value depends on the size distribution. This phenomenon was explained by the different electrical properties of the soot particles and modeled by equilibrium of soot accumulation and their combustion by Joule heating that permitting to simulate the sensor temporal response.