1. Assessment of air quality in preschool environments (3-5 years old children) with emphasis on elemental composition of PM10 and PM2.5.
- Author
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Oliveira M, Slezakova K, Delerue-Matos C, Pereira MC, and Morais S
- Subjects
- Carbon Dioxide analysis, Carbon Monoxide analysis, Formaldehyde analysis, Humans, Particle Size, Trace Elements analysis, Volatile Organic Compounds analysis, Air Pollutants analysis, Air Pollutants chemistry, Air Pollution analysis, Particulate Matter analysis, Particulate Matter chemistry, Schools, Nursery
- Abstract
This study evaluated concentrations of main air pollutants in a Portuguese preschool (indoors/outdoors) environment, with emphasis on elemental characterization of different PM fractions, and estimated risks for the pupils (aged 3-5 years). With exception to total volatile organic compounds, levels of PM10, PM2.5, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde were below legislative guidelines. Calcium, sodium, aluminium, and potassium were the most abundant elements in indoor PM (82-84% of the analysed content) resulting mainly from crustal sources. Carcinogenic elements (1-2% of the indoor analysed content) were mostly PM2.5-bound (83-91%). Indoor-to-outdoor ratios of individual elements indicated contributions of indoor origin and from penetration of outdoor emissions indoors; trace metals were associated with ambient anthropogenic emissions (namely traffic). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from overall preschool exposure were acceptable for children; for adults carcinogenic risks exceeded (4-11 times) the USEPA recommend value of 10(-6), being 8-40 times higher than for children., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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