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As nanoceluloses são nanomateriais inovadores com potencial para uma vasta gama de aplicações industriais e biomédicas. No entanto, a expansão da sua produção tem vindo a suscitar preocupações quanto aos possíveis efeitos, a longo prazo, na saúde humana. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a segurança de algumas nanoceluloses produzidas a partir de matéria-prima nacional, através da caracterização da sua potencial toxicidade em células de mamífero. Para tal, testaram-se duas celuloses nano /microfibrilares (CNF e CMF ) e uma celulose nanocristalina (CNC). Analisou-se a citotoxicidade usando ensaios colorimétricos e o ensaio clonogénico, e a genotoxicidade pelo ensaio do micronúcleo in vitro em células pulmonares de mamífero (A549 e V79 ) e em osteoblastos humanos ( MG-63 ). A indução de espécies reativas de oxigénio (ROS) e a internalização celular foram também estudadas nas células A549. Observou- -se citotoxicidade no ensaio clonogénico, principalmente no caso da CNC, mas não nos restantes ensaios, não havendo também indução de ROS. Todas as nanoceluloses revelaram efeitos genotóxicos nalgumas concentrações, uma vez que induziram micronúcleos e /ou pontes nucleoplásmicas num dos modelos celulares. Para além disso, visualizou-se a internalização da CNF e CMF, mas não da CNC, em células A549. Esta primeira avaliação toxicológica veio contribuir para prevenir a exposição a materiais celulósicos potencialmente perigosos, procurando impulsionar o desenvolvimento de materiais inovadores e mais seguros. Nanocelluloses are innovative nanomaterials with potential for a wide range of industrial and biomedical applications. However, the expansion of its production has raised concerns about their possible long-term effects on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of various nanocelluloses through the characterization of their potential toxicity in mammalian cells. Two samples of nano/microfibrillar celluloses with different pre-treatments (CNF and CMF) and a nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) were tested. The cytotoxicity of the nanocelluloses was analyzed using colorimetric assays and the clonogenic assay, and genotoxicity by the in vitro micronucleus assay in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549), human osteoblasts (MG-63) and Chinese hamster fibroblasts (V79). Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular internalization were also studied in A549 cells. Cytotoxicity was observed through the clonogenic assay, mainly in the case of CNC, but not in the remaining assays, with no induction of ROS. All nanocelluloses, at some of the concentrations tested, induced micronuclei and/or nucleoplasmic bridges in one of the cellular models. Furthermore, the internalization of CNF and CMF, but not of CNC was visualized in A549 cells. These results aim to contribute to preventing exposure to potentially hazardous cellulosic materials, seeking to boost the development of innovative and safer materials. Projeto ToxApp4NanoCELFI – Uma abordagem de toxicologia preditiva para a caracterização dos potenciais efeitos respiratórios de fibras de nanocelulose funcionalizadas num sistema de co-cultura (PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) are advanced materials exhibiting unique properties for innumerous industrial and biomedical applications. Human exposure to CNMs has been equally growing, which raises some concern, given the similarity of some CNMs size and morphology with that of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) that induce lung toxicity. The genotoxic effects of three CNMs produced from Eucalyptus globulus bleached kraft pulp through different methods and, hence, harbouring different physicochemical properties (two micro/nano- fibrillated and one nanocrystalline), were investigated in human alveolar (A549) cells co-cultured with monocyte- derived (THP-1) macrophages and in conventional A549 cultures. Two MWCNT differing in diameter, length and flexibility, NM 401 and NM 402 (JRC Repository), were used as references. None of the CNMs was toxic to A549 cells. The results of the in vitro micronucleus assay showed that exposure of A549 cells (1.5 to 50 μg/cm2 48h) to each CNM or to NM 402), either in monoculture or in co-culture, did not produce significant alterations in the frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells (MNBNC), as compared to the control. In contrast, NM-401, the thickest, longest and more rigid nanofiber, was able to significantly increase the frequencies of MNBNC. The cytokinesis-block proliferation index of A549 cells was not affected by CNMs or MWNTs exposure. To conclude, although data from other endpoints is needed, the present in vitro data suggests that the studied CNMs are neither toxic nor genotoxic to lung cells, increasing the weight of evidence in favor of their biocompatibility. The work was funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), project ToxApp4NanoCELFI (PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017), UIDB/00102/2020 and UIDB/00009/2020; UIDP/00009/2020; FEDER, EU funds, through the COMPETE 2020 POCI and PORL, FCT/MCTES and POR Lisboa2020, under PIDDAC (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688) to projects UIDB/50025/2020-2023, PTDC/CTM-REF/30529/2017 and EUTOPIA CA17139.The authors acknowledge CYTED network NANOCELIA (Transferencia Tecnológica sobre aplicaciones de nanocelulosa en iberoamerica). N/A

Introduction: Nanocelluloses, obtained from different sources and by various methods and holding different functionalization are innovative environmentally friendly materials in both pure and composite forms that hold great promise for industrial or advanced biomedical applications. Based on previous knowledge on other nanofibers e.g., carbon nanotubes, revealing toxicity at cellular and organismal levels, there is a need to evaluate the toxic potential of new nanocelluloses, particularly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), before entering the market. In this work, three different types of nanocelluloses produced from Eucalyptus globulus bleached kraft pulp but differing in important physicochemical properties such as the carboxyl content (CCOOH), degree of polymerization (DP), morphology, specific surface area and size of fibrils, were investigated regarding cyto- and genotoxic effects in human alveolar cells and in a co-culture of human alveolar cells (A549 cells) and THP-1 differentiated macrophages. Results: A preliminary evaluation of the cytotoxicity in A549 by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay revealed that all nanocellulose samples showed no toxicity over the examined concentration range during a 24h exposure period. The genotoxicity of the nanocellulose samples was assessed through the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay in A549 co-cultured with THP-1 cells and exposed to 1.5, 3, 6, 12.5, and 25 μg/cm2 of each nanocellulose for 24h. Preliminary results showed no alterations in the frequency of micronucleated binuceated cells for all tested concentrations in one sample of CNF produced with a catalytic oxidation with TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) radical (T1300). Moreover, the cytokinesis-block proliferation index of exposed A549 cells did not show differences as compared with non-exposed cells, in line with the MTT results, suggesting that the tested nanocelluloses do not affect A549 cells proliferation. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest that T1300 sample do not present cytotoxicity or genotoxicity in the examined concentration range and exposure time, as compared to controls. The other two samples are still being investigated. Summary: Three nanocellulose samples were investigated for their in vitro toxicity. No major cytotoxic or genotoxic effects were detected in alveolar cells co-cultured with THP-1 macrophages. The work was funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), project ToxApp4NanoCELFI (PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017), UIDB/00102/2020 and UIDB/00009/2020; UIDP/00009/2020. The authors acknowledge CYTED network NANOCELIA (Transferencia Tecnológica sobre aplicaciones de nanocelulosa en iberoamerica) N/A

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), is an innovative environmental friendly material that has been incorporated into several types of materials, in both pure and composite forms and holds great promise in different fields of application. This leads to a rising level of human exposure and draws considerable concerns regarding its potential toxicity in humans, which are specially motivated by the physicochemical resemblance of cellulose nanofibrils with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and asbestos that have shown deleterious health effects. Currently, several in vitro toxicological studies have been performed with the aim of predicting health effects caused by exposure to CNFs. A literature review was performed to gather and analyse recent data regarding the potential cytotoxic, genotoxic, immunotoxic and epigenetic effects, in different in vitro cell models, triggered by the exposure to CNFs produced from vegetal biomass and consequently differing in critical physicochemical characteristics. The main findings of this review work demonstrate that different functionalization affects CNFs hydrophobicity, surface charge and chemistry, which may either facilitate or difficult the uptake and interaction of its functional groups with the cell membrane, affecting the biological responses. Generally, CNFs are not phagocytized and do not cause inflammatory response, but revealed in vitro genotoxicity. In fact, our data have shown that CNFs may induce chromosome damage in some cell models, e.g., a co-culture of epithelial lung alveolar cells and macrophages. However, more studies are required to assess CNFs toxicity and to understand the relationship between their physicochemical properties, their behaviour in biological media and mechanism of action, which are of outmost importance to predict their nanosafety. The authors acknowledge CYTED network NANOCELIA (Transferencia Tecnológica sobre aplicaciones de nanocelulosa en iberoame´rica). The work was funded by FCT/MCTES, Project ToxApp4NanoCELFI (PTDC/ SAU-PUB/32587/2017) through national funds (PIDDAC) and co-funded by ToxOmics – Center for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (UID/BIM/00009/2013). Sara Teixeira is acknowledged for the binucleated cells photo. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

O presente projeto foi desenvolvido na OLI – Sistemas Sanitários, S.A. tendo como principal objetivo o aumento da disponibilidade das máquinas de injeção automáticas através da metodologia TPM, incidindo em particular no pilar da manutenção autónoma e contando com o apoio de algumas ferramentas Lean. A implementação do TPM, com as ferramentas necessárias e o compromisso de todos, permite melhorar o desempenho das atividades de manutenção de uma empresa através da redução falhas e defeitos e, assim, maximizar a eficiência global dos equipamentos, medida pelo OEE. Para atingir o objetivo deste projeto, foi efetuada uma análise à situação inicial que identificou os tipos de máquinas de injeção existentes no Departamento de Injeção (DIN) e as principais causas das suas paragens. Do mesmo modo, foi possível identificar quais os subconjuntos mais críticos em cada uma das tipologias de máquinas em estudo e quais os tipos de avarias associados. De seguida, foram elaborados os Planos de Manutenção Autónoma (PMA) dos equipamentos, de forma a que alguns dos problemas encontrados pudessem ser reduzidos e/ou eliminados, através de tarefas básicas de limpeza, verificação e inspeção realizadas pelos operadores. Além dos PMA’s foram criadas instruções de trabalho acerca de cada uma das tarefas do PMA, assim é possível facilitar o operador no seu trabalho de inspeção. Em relação às ferramentas Lean utilizadas como apoio ao TPM recorreu-se à gestão visual e aos 5S’s. No que toca à gestão visual foram efetuadas algumas ações como a colocação de pictogramas no local da máquina em que se devia realizar determinada tarefa do PMA e foram identificadas as mangueiras dos termorreguladores, visto que muitas vezes eram trocadas. Além disso, foram aplicados os 5S’s nas zonas de trabalho. A formação dos operadores seria o próximo passo neste projeto, para que os planos de manutenção autónoma começassem a ser efetuados, gerando os respetivos resultados. No entanto, face à suspensão do estágio, devido à pandemia do Covid-19, estas ações não foram iniciadas pelo que não é possível estabelecer uma comparação e correspondente avaliação. The following project has been developed at OLI – Sistemas Sanitários, S.A., having as main goal the increasing of the availability of automatic injection machines using the TPM methodology, focusing on autonomous maintenance pillar, in particular, and having the support of some Lean tools. The implementation of the TPM, with the necessary tools and the commitment of all, allows improving the performance of the maintenance activities of a company by reducing failures and defects and, thus, maximizing the global efficiency of the equipment, measured by the OEE. To achieve the objective of this project, an analysis of the initial situation was made in which the types of injection machines existing in Injection Department and the main causes of their stops were identified. Likewise, it was possible to identify the most critical subsets in each typology of machines being studied and what kind types of failures are related to them. Then, the Autonomous Maintenance Plans (AMP) of the equipment were elaborated, so that some of the found problems could be reduced and/or eliminated, through basic cleaning, verification and inspection tasks carried out by the operators. In addition to the AMP, work instructions have been created about each of the tasks in the plan, so it is possible to facilitate the operator in his inspection work. Regarding the Lean tools used to support TPM, visual management and 5S´s were used. As regard to visual management, some actions were carried out, such as placing pictograms at the machine area where an AMP task was to be carried out, and the hoses of the thermoregulators were identified, since they were often changed. In addition, 5S’s were applied to the working areas. The training of operators would be the next step in this project, so that autonomous maintenance plans could start being carried out, generating the respective results. However, in the face of the suspension of the internship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these actions have not been initiated and therefore it is not possible to establish a comparison and corresponding evaluation. Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial

Nanotechnologies and nanomaterials (NMs) applications have been growing in recent years, bringing benefits to society but raising also some concerns about their safety to human health. Cellulose is a natural material that fits the global trend of sustainability: ecological, low cost, abundant and renewable nature. In particular, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF)1 are forest-derived products with advantageous mechanical, optical and rheological properties, assuming a high industrial potential, e.g., in paper, food, pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. With the innovative applications expanding, CNF synthesis and production has increasing, leading to concerns about occupational exposure, particularly by inhalation, or consumers exposure. The toxicity studies of other NMs, like MWCNT, have had a major impact on the understanding of the nanofibres health effects on humans. MWCNTs have been reported to cause adverse effects in vitro and in vivo, such as DNA damage and oxidative stress2. Because CNF show a high resemblance in terms of aspect ratio to MWCNT, our main focus is to identify if some of the CNF synthesized have a genotoxic or carcinogenic potential. This study aims to assess the safety of two types of CNF produced with different pre-treatments (TEMPO-mediated oxidation and enzymatic hydrolysis) of an industrial bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp, through the characterization of its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human cells. The CNF cytotoxicity was assessed using lung epithelial alveolar (A549) cells by two methodologies, the MTT and the clonogenic assay, whereas the genotoxicity was assessed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Dose-range finding experiments were performed using the MTT (24h, 48h and 72h exposure) and the clonogenic (8 days exposure) assays, which revealed that both CNF were not cytotoxic at concentrations between 3,125 and 100 μg/ml. On the contrary, both CNFs were able to increase cell viability at the highest concentrations tested (50 and 100 μg/ml). This effect had been previously observed in the same cell line exposed to CNF produced by TEMPO-mediated oxidation, but at the lowest concentration level3. The potential of the CNF to induce chromosomal alterations, either chromosome breaks or loss is being analysed through the micronucleus assay and the results will be presented. Overall, this study is expected to uncover potential adverse outcomes of CNF to human health, in order to promote the design of safer CNF and CNF-based products that will allow a more sustainable and responsible industrial development. References: 1) Gamelas, J., Pedrosa, J., Lourenço, A., Mutjé, P., González, I., Chinga-Carrasco, G., Singh, G. and Ferreira, P. (2015). On the morphology of cellulose nanofibrils obtained by TEMPO-mediated oxidation and mechanical treatment. Micron, 72, 28-33. 2) Louro, H., Pinhão, M., Santos, J., Tavares, A., Vital, N. and Silva, M. (2016). Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of benchmark multi-walled carbon nanotubes in relation to their physicochemical properties. Toxicology Letters, 262, 123-134. 3) Ventura, C., Lourenço, A., Sousa-Uva, A., Ferreira, P. and Silva, M. (2018). Evaluating the genotoxicity of cellulose nanofibrils in a co-culture of human lung epithelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages. Toxicology Letters, 291, 173-183. FCT-MCTES (PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017) through national funds (PIDDAC). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Nanomedicine is based on the application of nanotechnologies into the medical field to advance and improve diagnostics, prevention and treatment of human disease. While its expansion has been enormous in the last years, its progress must go hand in hand with nanosafety, i.e., with the safety evaluation of nanomaterials in an early phase of its development or application into a product. Cellulose appears as a natural and readily available material, which fits within the supply-demand chain: ecological, abundant and low cost. Particularly, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) show great mechanical strength and high water-uptake capability and have the ability to form translucent structures with high elasticity and selective permeability, which make them attractive e.g., as constituents of surgical dressings and membranes for bone regeneration. Bacterial nanocellulose is already being used, but CNF produced from plants are also finding potential to be applied in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, CNF may bring more toxicological concerns than the bacterial type, due to impurities associated with the chemical and mechanical processes used to produce them or due to their different physicochemical properties that may underlie unforeseen biological effects. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the safety of two different CNFs, through the analysis of their cytotoxic, genotoxic and epigenetic effects in human osteoblasts. The CNFs were obtained from the same raw material – industrial bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp - by two different methods: TEMPO-mediated oxidation and enzymatic hydrolisis. The physicochemical properties of the CNF gels obtained, including fibrillation yield, degree of polymerization and size were evaluated. The CNF cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay and the genotoxicity by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay; their epigenetic effects were evaluated through gene expression analysis of the DNA methytransferases genes, DNMT1 and DMNT3b, responsible for the cellular methylation pattern, using qRT-PCR. The results obtained for the several endpoints were integrated in order to contribute to the characterization of the potential toxic effects of these new CNF in an early phase of their lifecycle. This knowledge will be relevant to decide whether these CNF may be further developed for applications in the nanomedicine field, or shall be modified to give rise to safer CNF. ToxApp4NanoCELFI , 2018-2021 - PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017; ToxOmics - Centro de Investigação em Toxicogenómica e Saúde Humana - UID/BIM/00009/2013 N/A

JEL: M31, M39. The present investigation addresses the concept of corporate reputation as a vital asset for companies, which importance has increased particularly in regard to the perception of B2B customers in the service context. The lack of attention attributed to this pivotal stakeholder in this specific context was identified by Walsh et al. (2015) who developed the professional service firm reputation (PSF-Rep) scale, a measure that focusses in the B2B customers’ perception of reputation of professional services. Therefore, the main purpose of the current investigation is to replicate the PSF-Rep scale in a different environment, accessing its cross-cultural consistency and behaviour in a different industry. From a sample of B2B customers of the main postal operator in Portugal, the empirical analysis was performed through a series of statistical techniques, revealing the consistency of three of the original dimensions of PSF-Rep scale, and unveiling a new dimension – market superiority. The results also corroborate the dimensions’ influence in important customer behaviours, such as word of mouth, loyalty intentions and trust, although with the exception of one dimension, relational equity which revealed absence of relation with the three customer variables. Hence, this research contributes to the corporate reputation measurement, emphasising the urgency for companies to apply such tools in order to achieve and manage a good reputation, especially in the point of view of professional services, being crucial for maintaining and acquiring new customers. A presente investigação aborda o conceito da reputação corporativa como um ativo vital para as empresas, cuja importância tem aumentado particularmente em relação à perceção dos clientes empresariais no contexto de serviços. A falta de atenção atribuída a este stakeholder crucial, especificamente neste contexto, foi identificada por Walsh et al. (2015), que desenvolveram a escala para avaliar a reputação de empresas de serviços em contexto profissional (PSF-Rep), sendo uma medida que se foca na perceção dos clientes empresariais relativamente à reputação de empresas de serviços. O principal objetivo deste estudo é o de replicar a escala PSF-Rep numa nova envolvente, aferindo a sua consistência a nível cultural e o seu comportamento numa outra indústria. A análise realizada a uma amostra de clientes empresariais do principal operador postal português, utilizando distintas técnicas estatísticas, revelou a consistência de três das dimensões originais da escala PSF-Rep, simultaneamente apresentando uma nova dimensão – superioridade no mercado. Paralelamente, os resultados obtidos corroboram a influência das dimensões de PSF-Rep em importantes dimensões de resultado no comportamento dos clientes, como o passa-a-palavra, intenções de lealdade e confiança, apresentando, no entanto a ausência de relação entre estes comportamentos e a dimensão capacidade relacional. Os resultados alcançados na presente pesquisa contribuem para a verificação da aplicação da medição da reputação corporativa, destacando a necessidade das empresas incorporarem ferramentas que permitam alcançar e gerir a sua reputação no sentido positivo. Esta assunção tem especial relevância no caso dos serviços empresariais, sendo estes cruciais para a retenção e aquisição de novos clientes.

This study centers on the assessment of psychological value of guarantees in pension products and the behavior biases associated with choice. When a guarantee on a product increases from 99% to 99,5% less than half of respondents show willingness to pay in contrast with 73% when going from 99,5% to 100%. Out of 105 respondents, 55 show that their choices concerning pension products are inconsistent with classic utility theory. Financial background proves insignificant thus pointing to behavioral biases. As individuals make choices that leave them worse-off, we argue that pension plan design would highly benefit from public policy interventions.

Documento confidencial. Não pode ser disponibilizado para consulta Tese de mestrado. Engenharia Biomédica. Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia.. 2010

Dissertação de mestrado em Farmacologia Aplicada, apresentada à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra Introdução: As doenças respiratórias são uma das principais causas de morbilidade e mortalidade em Portugal, prevendo-se o aumento da sua prevalência nos próximos anos, contrariamente ao que se verifica com outras patologias, designadamente as cardiovasculares. Objetivos: Este estudo pretendeu verificar se se justifica a realização de espirometria como técnica de rastreio de doenças pulmonares em indivíduos assintomáticos e avaliar a possibilidade de se estabelecer, em farmácia comunitária, um protocolo de atuação com vista à deteção precoce de alterações da função pulmonar. Metodologia: O estudo decorreu na Farmácia Saúde, Figueira da Foz, entre janeiro e julho de 2012, e consistiu na realização do teste da espirometria, precedido de um questionário para recolha de dados sobre a história clínica e tabágica, terapêuticas concomitantes e sintomas respiratórios de cada participante. As espirometrias foram realizadas com o aparelho Vitalograph COPD-6, tendo-se determinado os parâmetros da função pulmonar FEV1, FEV6 e FEV1/FEV6 pré-broncodilatação. Os indivíduos com alterações do padrão normal da função pulmonar foram referenciados ao médico. Resultados: Dos 122 utentes em estudo, 18 apresentaram alteração ao padrão respiratório normal, sendo que 4 já se encontravam em acompanhamento médico. Os restantes 14 foram contactados no sentido de se repetir o teste: 2 não compareceram e 4 apresentaram valores dentro do padrão normal. Dos restantes 8, 2 obtiveram diagnóstico de DPOC e iniciaram medicação adequada, 2 aguardam o resultado da prova funcional respiratória com broncodilatação requisitada pelo médico, 3 aguardam a consulta médica e a 1 não foi diagnosticada doença respiratória. Conclusão: O farmacêutico comunitário dispõe de instrumentos que lhe permitem identificar precocemente alterações da função respiratória dos utentes. Esta deteção precoce de alterações da função pulmonar pode contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos utentes na medida em que possibilita um tratamento médico numa fase mais inicial da doença. A análise da amostra em estudo sugere que se justifica a realização da espirometria em indivíduos que apresentem um ou mais sintomas respiratórios, história tabágica positiva ou exposição a substâncias tóxicas. Introduction: Respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal, and an increase in its prevalence is expected throughout the next years, unlike other diseases, such as cardiovascular. Objectives: The current study intended to evaluate the possibility of early detection of changes in respiratory function through the use of spirometry in pharmacy customers. Goals for this study were: to determine whether it is justified to perform spirometry as a screening technique for lung disease in asymptomatic individuals; evaluate the possibility of establishing, in community pharmacy, an action protocol for the early detection of changes in lung function. Methodology: The study was performed in a community pharmacy in Figueira da Foz, between january and june of 2012, and comprised of performing spirometry testing preceded by data collection, in order to collect information on their medical and smoking history, concomitant therapies and respiratory symptoms from each patient. Spirometry was performed with a Vitalograph COPD-6 unit, which determined the parameters of lung function such as: FEV1, and FEV6FEV1/FEV6, pre-bronchodilator values. Regarding the results that went outside the normal range, we contacted the physicians to pursue the respective treatment. Results: From 122 users flocked to the study, 18 differ from the normal pattern, and 4 of which were already undergoing medical supervision. The remaining 14 were contacted in order to repeat the test: 2 did not attend and 4 presented values within the normal standard. From 8 users with normal breathing pattern changes, 2 of them had COPD diagnosis and started proper medication, 2 of them are awaiting the outcome of a functional test with respiratory bronchodilator ordered by the physician, 3 of them are awaiting medical consultation and one user did not request additional scrutiny. Conclusion: The pharmacist has tools that allow him to early identify changes in the respiratory function, leading to an early and thus more effective treatment by the physician, and therefore contributing to an improvement on their life quality. The analysis of the sample under study suggests the need of performing spirometry in individuals with one or more respiratory symptoms and positive smoking history or exposure to toxic substances.