Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/10216/103320
Author(s): | Maria do Carmo Pereira João Cavaleiro Rufo Joana Madureira Inês Paciência Klara Slezakova Cristiana Pereira João Paulo Teixeira Mariana Pinto André Moreira Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes |
Title: | Exposure of children to ultrafine particles in primary schools in Portugal |
Issue Date: | 2015-07-15 |
Abstract: | Children spend a large part of their time at schools, which might be reflected as chronic exposure. Ultrafine particles (UFP) are generally associated with a more severe toxicity compared to fine and coarse particles, due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes. In addition, children tend to be more susceptible to UFP-mediated toxicity compared to adults, due to various factors including undeveloped immune and respiratory systems and inhalation rates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine indoor UFP number concentrations in Portuguese primary schools. Ultrafine particles were sampled between January and March 2014 in 10 public primary schools (35 classrooms) located in Porto, Portugal. Overall, the average indoor UFP number concentrations were not significantly different from outdoor concentrations (8.69 x 10(3) vs. 9.25 x 10(3) pt/cm(3), respectively; considering 6.5 h of indoor occupancy). Classrooms with distinct characteristics showed different trends of indoor UFP concentrations. The levels of carbon dioxide were negatively correlated with indoor UFP concentrations. Occupational density was significantly and positively correlated with UFP concentrations. Although the obtained results need to be interpreted with caution since there are no guidelines for UFP levels, special attention needs to be given to source control strategies in order to reduce major particle emissions and ensure good indoor air quality. |
Subject: | Ciências do ambiente, Ciências da saúde Environmental science, Health sciences |
Scientific areas: | Ciências médicas e da saúde::Ciências da saúde Medical and Health sciences::Health sciences |
URI: | https://hdl.handle.net/10216/103320 |
Related Information: | info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Projectos de I&DT em Todos os Domínios Científicos/PTDC/DTP-SAP/1522/2012|FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028797/Como a qualidade do ar pode influenciar asma e alergia nas crianças/ARIA |
Document Type: | Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional |
Rights: | restrictedAccess |
Appears in Collections: | FEUP - Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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139545.1.pdf | Post-Print version | 566.47 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
139545.pdf Restricted Access | Artigo original publicado | 282.25 kB | Adobe PDF | Request a copy from the Author(s) |
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