The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Sofia I. V. Sousa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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gaseous pollutants on rural and urban Nursery Schools in northern portugal
Environmental Pollution, 2016Co-Authors: R.a.o. Nunes, P.t.b.s. Branco, Fernando G. Martins, M C M Alvimferraz, Sofia I. V. SousaAbstract:Abstract Indoor air quality in Nursery Schools is different from other Schools and this has been largely ignored, particularly in rural areas. Urban and rural Nursery Schools have different environmental characteristics whose knowledge needs improvement. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate continuously the concentrations of CO2, CO, NO2, O3, CH2O and total VOC in three rural Nursery Schools and one urban, being the only one comparing urban and rural nurseries with continuous measurements, thus considering occupation and non-occupation periods. Regarding CO2, urban Nursery recorded higher concentrations (739–2328 mg m−3) than rural nurseries (653–1078 mg m−3). The influence of outdoor air was the main source of CO, NO2 and O3 indoor concentrations. CO and NO2 concentrations were higher in the urban Nursery and O3 concentrations were higher in rural ones. CH2O and TVOC concentrations seemed to be related to internal sources, such as furniture and flooring finishing and cleaning products.
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Particulate matter in rural and urban Nursery Schools in Portugal
Environmental pollution (Barking Essex : 1987), 2015Co-Authors: R.a.o. Nunes, P.t.b.s. Branco, Maria C.m. Alvim-ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Sofia I. V. SousaAbstract:Studies have been showing strong associations between exposures to indoor particulate matter (PM) and health effects on children. Urban and rural Nursery Schools have different known environmental and social differences which make their study relevant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate indoor PM concentrations on different microenvironments of three rural Nursery Schools and one urban Nursery school, being the only study comparing urban and rural Nursery Schools considering the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 fractions (measured continuously and in terms of mass). Outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 were also obtained and I/O ratios have been determined. Indoor PM mean concentrations were higher in the urban Nursery than in rural ones, which might have been related to traffic emissions. However, I/O ratios allowed concluding that the recorded concentrations depended more significantly of indoor sources. WHO guidelines and Portuguese legislation exceedances for PM2.5 and PM10 were observed mainly in the urban Nursery school.
Anna Mainka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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pm10 composition in urban and rural Nursery Schools in upper silesia poland a trace elements analysis
International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2017Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajuszzubek, Konrad KaczmarekAbstract:Indoor air quality in Nursery Schools is an emerging public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than older children. Here we present PM10 concentrations and trace element composition in naturally ventilated Nursery Schools located in Gliwice, Poland. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated PM10 concentrations inside the examined classrooms. The exposure of children to trace elements varied in terms of localisation and season. PM10 concentration and its trace element composition have been studied using correlation coefficients between the different trace elements, the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed for the identification of the three possible sources, namely: anthropogenic combustion emissions (31.1%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (19.9%) and mixed soil emissions (24.0%).
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assessment of the btex concentrations and health risk in urban Nursery Schools in gliwice poland
environmental 2016 Vol. 3 Pages 858-870, 2016Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Barbara KozielskaAbstract:Indoor air quality (IAQ) in Nursery school is believed to be different from elementary school. Moreover, younger children are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children because they spend more time indoors, and their immune systems and bodies are less mature. The purpose of this study was to compare the concentrations of the monoaromatic volatile benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene m,p-xylene and o-xylene (BTEX) in urban Nursery Schools located in Gliwice, Poland. The Nursery Schools were chosen to include areas with different urbanization and traffic density characteristics in order to gather a more diverse picture of exposure risks in the various regions of the city. BTEX were sampled during winter and spring seasons in older and younger children classrooms. The samples were thermally desorbed (TD) and then analyzed with use of gas chromatography (GC). In addition, outdoor measurements were carried out in the playground at each Nursery school. BTEX quantification, indoor/outdoor concentration, and correlation coefficients were used to identify pollutant sources. Elevated levels of o-xylene and ethylbenzene were found in all monitored classrooms during the winter season. Outdoor concentrations were lower than indoors for each classroom. Indicators based on health risk assessment for chronic health effects associated with carcinogenic benzene or non-carcinogenic BTEX were proposed to rank sites according to their hazard level.
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bacterial and fungal aerosols in rural Nursery Schools in southern poland
Atmosphere, 2016Co-Authors: Ewa Brągoszewska, Anna Mainka, J S PastuszkaAbstract:This study aimed to characterize airborne bacteria and fungi populations present in rural Nursery Schools in the Upper Silesia region of Poland during winter and spring seasons through quantification and identification procedures. Bacterial and fungal concentration levels and size distributions were obtained by the use of a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor. Results showed a wide range of indoor bioaerosols levels. The maximum level of viable bacterial aerosols indoors was about 2600 CFU·m−3, two to three times higher than the outdoor level. Fungi levels were lower, from 82 to 1549 CFU·m−3, with indoor concentrations comparable to or lower than outdoor concentrations. The most prevalent bacteria found indoors were Gram-positive cocci (>65%). Using the obtained data, the Nursery school exposure dose (NSED) of bioaerosols was estimated for both the children and personnel of Nursery Schools. The highest dose for younger children was estimated to range: 327–706 CFU·kg−1 for bacterial aerosols and 31–225 CFU·kg−1 for fungal aerosols. These results suggest an elevated risk of adverse health effects on younger children. These findings may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programs and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments.
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indoor air quality in urban Nursery Schools in gliwice poland analysis of the case study
Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2015Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Ewa Brągoszewska, J S Pastuszka, Barbara Kozielska, Elwira ZajuszzubekAbstract:Abstract Children's exposure to air pollutants is an important public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to preSchools because younger children are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children and spend more time indoors. The purpose of this study was to compare the indoor air quality (IAQ) at Nursery Schools located in Gliwice, Poland. We investigated the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM) and bacterial and fungal bioaerosols, as well as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations in younger and older children's classrooms during the winter season at two urban Nursery Schools, located within traffic and residential areas. The concentration of the investigated pollutants in indoor environments was higher than those in outdoor air. The results clearly indicate the problem of elevated concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 inside the classrooms. High levels of CO 2 exceeding 1000 ppm in relation to outdoor air also confirmed the low indoor air quality of classrooms. This is concerning in terms of the exposure effects on the health of children. The relation between IAQ in older and younger children's classrooms was also statistically significant in the case of PM and CO 2 . Improving ventilation, decreasing the occupancy per room and completing cleaning activities following occupancy periods can contribute to alleviating high CO 2 and particle levels.
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PM2.5 in Urban and Rural Nursery Schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Trace Elements Analysis
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-zubek, Konrad KaczmarekAbstract:Indoor air quality (IAQ) in Nursery Schools is an emerging public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children, because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than older children. Among air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of the greatest interest mainly due to its strong association with acute and chronic effects on children’s health. In this paper, we present concentrations of PM2.5 and the composition of its trace elements at naturally ventilated Nursery Schools located in the area of Gliwice, Poland. The Nursery Schools were selected to characterize areas with different degrees of urbanization and traffic densities during the winter and spring seasons. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated concentrations of PM2.5 inside the examined classrooms. The children’s exposure to trace elements was different based on localization and season. PM2.5 concentration and its trace element composition have been studied using correlation coefficients between the different trace elements, the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed the identification of the three components: anthropogenic and geogenic sources (37.2%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (18.6%) and vehicular emissions (19.5%).
H Ruden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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elemental carbon and respirable particulate matter in the indoor air of apartments and Nursery Schools and ambient air in berlin germany
Indoor Air, 2005Co-Authors: H Fromme, T Lahrz, A Hainsch, A Oddoy, M Piloty, H RudenAbstract:UNLABELLED This study was performed to examine exposure to typical carcinogenic traffic air pollutants in the city center of an urban area. In all, 123 apartments and 74 Nursery Schools were analyzed with and without tobacco smoke interference and the households in two measuring periods. Simultaneously, the air outside 61 apartment windows as well as the average daily traffic volume were measured. Elemental carbon (EC), the marker for particulate diesel exhaust and respirable particulate matter (RPM) were determined. The thermographic EC analysis was conducted with and without prior solvent extraction of the soluble carbon fraction. Comparison of these two thermographic EC measurements clearly showed that method-related differences in the results, especially for indoor measurements, when high background loads of organic material were present (e.g. tobacco smoke), existed. Solvent extraction prior to EC determination was therefore appropriate. For the first winter measuring period, the EC concentration levels without solvent extraction in the indoor air were about 50% higher than those measured in the spring/summer period. In the second measuring period (i.e. spring/summer), the median EC concentrations after solvent extraction were 1.9 microg/m3 for smokers' apartments and 2.1 microg/m3 for non-smokers' apartments, with RPM concentrations of 57 and 27 microg/m3, respectively. Nursery Schools showed high concentrations with median values of 53 microg/m3 for RPM and 2.9 microg/m3 for EC after solvent extraction. A significant correlation between the fine dust and EC concentrations (after solvent extraction) in the indoor and ambient air was determined. Outdoor EC values were also correlated with the average daily traffic volume. The EC ratios between indoor and ambient concentration showed a median of 0.8 (range: 0.3-4.2) in non-smoker households and 0.9 (range: 0.4-1.5) in smoker apartments. Furthermore, the EC/RPM ratio in indoor and ambient air was 0.01-0.15 (median 0.06) and 0.04-0.37 (median 0.09), respectively. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS In the absence of indoor sources a significant correlation with regard to respirable particulate matter (RPM) and elemental carbon concentrations between the indoor and ambient air of apartments was observed. The high degree of certainty resulting from this correlation underscores the importance of ambient air concentrations for indoor air quality. In Nursery Schools we found higher concentrations of RPM. An explanation of these results could be the high number of occupants in the room, their activity and the cleaning intensity.
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elemental carbon and respirable particulate matter in the indoor air of apartments and Nursery Schools and ambient air in berlin germany
Indoor Air, 2005Co-Authors: H Fromme, T Lahrz, A Hainsch, A Oddoy, M Piloty, H RudenAbstract:This study was performed to examine exposure to typical carcinogenic traffic air pollutants in the city center of an urban area. In all, 123 apartments and 74 Nursery Schools were analyzed with and without tobacco smoke interference and the households in two measuring periods. Simultaneously, the air outside 61 apartment windows as well as the average daily traffic volume were measured. Elemental carbon (EC), the marker for particulate diesel exhaust and respirable particulate matter (RPM) were determined. The thermographic EC analysis was conducted with and without prior solvent extraction of the soluble carbon fraction. Comparison of these two thermographic EC measurements clearly showed that method-related differences in the results, especially for indoor measurements, when high background loads of organic material were present (e.g. tobacco smoke), existed. Solvent extraction prior to EC determination was therefore appropriate. For the first winter measuring period, the EC concentration levels without solvent extraction in the indoor air were about 50% higher than those measured in the spring/summer period. In the second measuring period (i.e. spring/summer), the median EC concentrations after solvent extraction were 1.9 μg/m 3 for smokers' apartments and 2.1 μg/m3 for non-smokers' apartments, with RPM concentrations of 57 and 27 μg/m 3 , respectively. Nursery Schools showed high concentrations with median values of 53 μg/m 3 for RPM and 2.9 μg/m 3 for EC after solvent extraction. A significant correlation between the fine dust and EC concentrations (after solvent extraction) in the indoor and ambient air was determined. Outdoor EC values were also correlated with the average daily traffic volume. The EC ratios between indoor and ambient concentration showed a median of 0.8 (range: 0.3-.2) in non-smoker households and 0.9 (range: 0.4-1.5) in smoker apartments. Furthermore, the EC/RPM ratio in indoor and ambient air was 0.01-0.15 (median 0.06) and 0.04-0.37 (median 0.09), respectively.
R.a.o. Nunes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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gaseous pollutants on rural and urban Nursery Schools in northern portugal
Environmental Pollution, 2016Co-Authors: R.a.o. Nunes, P.t.b.s. Branco, Fernando G. Martins, M C M Alvimferraz, Sofia I. V. SousaAbstract:Abstract Indoor air quality in Nursery Schools is different from other Schools and this has been largely ignored, particularly in rural areas. Urban and rural Nursery Schools have different environmental characteristics whose knowledge needs improvement. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate continuously the concentrations of CO2, CO, NO2, O3, CH2O and total VOC in three rural Nursery Schools and one urban, being the only one comparing urban and rural nurseries with continuous measurements, thus considering occupation and non-occupation periods. Regarding CO2, urban Nursery recorded higher concentrations (739–2328 mg m−3) than rural nurseries (653–1078 mg m−3). The influence of outdoor air was the main source of CO, NO2 and O3 indoor concentrations. CO and NO2 concentrations were higher in the urban Nursery and O3 concentrations were higher in rural ones. CH2O and TVOC concentrations seemed to be related to internal sources, such as furniture and flooring finishing and cleaning products.
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Particulate matter in rural and urban Nursery Schools in Portugal
Environmental pollution (Barking Essex : 1987), 2015Co-Authors: R.a.o. Nunes, P.t.b.s. Branco, Maria C.m. Alvim-ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Sofia I. V. SousaAbstract:Studies have been showing strong associations between exposures to indoor particulate matter (PM) and health effects on children. Urban and rural Nursery Schools have different known environmental and social differences which make their study relevant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate indoor PM concentrations on different microenvironments of three rural Nursery Schools and one urban Nursery school, being the only study comparing urban and rural Nursery Schools considering the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 fractions (measured continuously and in terms of mass). Outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 were also obtained and I/O ratios have been determined. Indoor PM mean concentrations were higher in the urban Nursery than in rural ones, which might have been related to traffic emissions. However, I/O ratios allowed concluding that the recorded concentrations depended more significantly of indoor sources. WHO guidelines and Portuguese legislation exceedances for PM2.5 and PM10 were observed mainly in the urban Nursery school.
Konrad Kaczmarek - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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pm10 composition in urban and rural Nursery Schools in upper silesia poland a trace elements analysis
International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2017Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajuszzubek, Konrad KaczmarekAbstract:Indoor air quality in Nursery Schools is an emerging public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than older children. Here we present PM10 concentrations and trace element composition in naturally ventilated Nursery Schools located in Gliwice, Poland. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated PM10 concentrations inside the examined classrooms. The exposure of children to trace elements varied in terms of localisation and season. PM10 concentration and its trace element composition have been studied using correlation coefficients between the different trace elements, the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed for the identification of the three possible sources, namely: anthropogenic combustion emissions (31.1%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (19.9%) and mixed soil emissions (24.0%).
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PM2.5 in Urban and Rural Nursery Schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Trace Elements Analysis
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-zubek, Konrad KaczmarekAbstract:Indoor air quality (IAQ) in Nursery Schools is an emerging public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children, because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than older children. Among air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of the greatest interest mainly due to its strong association with acute and chronic effects on children’s health. In this paper, we present concentrations of PM2.5 and the composition of its trace elements at naturally ventilated Nursery Schools located in the area of Gliwice, Poland. The Nursery Schools were selected to characterize areas with different degrees of urbanization and traffic densities during the winter and spring seasons. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated concentrations of PM2.5 inside the examined classrooms. The children’s exposure to trace elements was different based on localization and season. PM2.5 concentration and its trace element composition have been studied using correlation coefficients between the different trace elements, the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed the identification of the three components: anthropogenic and geogenic sources (37.2%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (18.6%) and vehicular emissions (19.5%).
