Browsing by Author "Nunes, Teresa"
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- Comprehensive analysis of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and microbiological contamination in a clothing store from an international chain in EuropePublication . Furst, Leonardo; Cipoli, Yago; Galindo, Nuria; Yubero, Eduardo; Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Nunes, Teresa; Feliciano, Manuel; Alves, CéliaIn this study, indoor air quality was assessed in a store belonging to one of Portugal’s largest commercial retail groups. A variety of methodologies was used, including gravimetric analysis for particulate matter (PM), optical monitors for real-time PM measurements, gas sensors and analysers for CO2 and other gaseous pollutants, diffusion tubes for VOCs, and passive deposition for microorganisms. The average PM10 concentration indoors was 16.5 ± 3.87 μg/m3, well below the exposure limits set by various international organisations. A significant portion of indoor PM10 – 69% - was originated from outdoor sources. Outdoor PM10 concentrations were sub- stantially higher, averaging 29.4 ± 14.6 μg/m3. Metal concentrations were also higher outdoors than indoors, and the associated cancer risk and hazard quotient were not exceeded, indicating favourable air quality con- ditions within the store. Among VOCs, α-pinene and tetrachloroethylene were detected in notable concentra- tions. α-Pinene likely originated from cleaning products and fragrances, while tetrachloroethylene was attributed to emissions from a dry-cleaning establishment located in the same building, but did not exceed protection thresholds. Microbial analysis showed low concentrations of both fungi and bacteria. However, fungal species with clinical and toxigenic potential were found. The most common fungal species were Trichoderma sp. and Penicillium sp., depending on the culture media. Overall, the clothing store demonstrated good air quality. However, to further reduce the impact of outdoor pollutants on indoor air quality, enhancements to the venti- lation system are recommended. These improvements can help create a healthier indoor environment by filtering and managing the intake of external contaminants more effectively.
- Comprehensive analysis of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and microbiological contamination in an international chain supermarketPublication . Furst, Leonardo; Cipoli, Yago Alonso; Galindo, Nuria; Yubero, Eduardo; Viegas, Carla; Pena, Pedro; Nunes, Teresa; Feliciano, Manuel; Alves, CéliaIndoor environmental quality is of utmost importance since urban populations spend a large proportion of their life in confined spaces. Supermarkets offer a wide range of products and services that are prone to emitting several air pollutants. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive characterisation of the indoor and outdoor air quality in a multinational supermarket, encompassing not only criteria parameters but also unregulated pollutants of concern. Monitoring included measurements of comfort parameters, CO2, multiple gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (PM10) and bioburden. PM10, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls were subject to chemical speciation. Globally, the supermarket presented CO2, VOCs, and PM10 values below the limits imposed by international regulations. The PM10 concentration in the supermarket was 33.5 ± 23.2 μg/m3, and the indoor-to-outdoor PM10 ratio was 1.76. Carbonaceous constituents represented PM10 mass fractions of 21.6% indoors and 15.3% outdoors. Due to the use of stainless-steel utensils, flour and fermentation processes, the bakery proved to be a pollution hotspot, presenting the highest concentrations of PM10 (73.1 ± 9.16 μg/m3), PM10-bound elements (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, and Cr) and acetaldehyde (42.7 μg/m3). The maximum tetrachloroethylene level (130 μg/m3) was obtained in the cleaning products section. The highest values of colony-forming units of bacteria and fungi were recorded in the bakery, and fruit and vegetable section. The most prevalent fungal species was Penicillium sp., corresponding to 56.9% of the total colonies. In addition, other fungal species/ sections with toxicological or pathogenic potential were detected (Aspergillus sections Aspergilli, Circumdati, Flavi, Mucor and Fusarium sp.).
- Os impactes dos espaços verdes na qualidade do ambiente urbanoPublication . Feliciano, Manuel; Gonçalves, Artur; Cortez, José Paulo; Nunes, Luís; Rodrigues, Orlando; Ribeiro, A.C.; Nunes, Teresa; Cardoso, AnaOs espaços verdes assumem-se como elementos fundamentais da estrutura urbana, os quais apresentam um elevado potencial para atenuar os impactes do processo de urbanização, conferindo às cidades melhores condições de habitabilidade. Além do seu valor estético, os espaços verdes contribuem para a melhoria da qualidade do ar e do ambiente acústico e tornam mais agradáveis as condições micro-climáticas. Estes factos justificam a elevada procura de espaços verdes por parte da população e o elevado interesse das autoridades políticas locais em contribuir para um planeamento urbano mais ecológico. No âmbito do projecto Greenurbe (POCI/AMB/59174/2004), com início em Outubro de 2005 e duração de três anos, está a desenvolver-se um estudo que visa avaliar os efeitos dos espaços verdes nos vários aspectos da qualidade do ambiente urbano, recorrendo a uma avaliação quantitativa dos seus potenciais impactes sobre a qualidade do ar, o ruído e as condições microclimáticas e, concomitantemente, analisar o modo como as populações percepcionam o papel da vegetação, num contexto espacial particular – a cidade de Bragança. A presente comunicação visa descrever o âmbito e a metodologia do projecto de investigação, bem como apresentar os resultados preliminares relativos às acções desenvolvidas ao longo da fase inicial deste estudo de investigação.
- Indoor air quality in a home improvement store: Gaseous pollutants, bioburden and particle-bound chemical constituentsPublication . Furst, Leonardo; Cipoli, Yago; Yubero, Eduardo; Galindo, Nuria; Viegas, Carla; Dias, Marta; Nunes, Teresa; Igrejas, Getúlio; Feliciano, Manuel; Célia AlvesThis paper provides a comprehensive assessment of indoor and outdoor air quality within a home improvement and gardening store chain in northeastern Portugal. In December 2021 and January 2022, two multipollutant systems were installed in the store and outdoors to assess air quality. Continuous monitoring included particulate matter below 10 μm (PM10), CO2 and comfort parameters. PM10 samples were collected using gravimetric samplers during both occupied and vacant periods. These samples were then analysed for carbonaceous con- stituents and metal(loid)s. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyls, bacteria, and fungi were passively sampled. Results showed higher indoor concentrations of PM10 during labour hours (45.4 ± 15.2 μg/ m3), while outdoor values of 27.1 ± 9.96 μg/m3 were recorded. The elemental characterisation of PM10 revealed a high abundance of soil-related elements indoors, suggesting that resuspension is one of the primary sources. The most abundant elements were Ca, Fe, and Zn, with concentrations of 658 ± 297, 273 ± 141, and 172 ± 67.4 ng/m³, respectively. Outdoors, elements related to tyre and brake wear and road dust were predominant, indicating emissions from non-exhaust traffic emissions as the main source. A prevalence of α-pinene, limonene, and hexanal was found indoors, most likely related to wood products. Fungi with clinical relevance and toxigenic potential, and higher bacterial loads were observed in the gardening and heating sectors of the store. This study underscores the importance of investigating less-studied stores, as they may exhibit pollutant levels that exceed health protection thresholds
- Nighttime-daytime PM10 source apportionment and toxicity in a remoteness inland city of the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Cipoli, Yago Alonso; Alves, Célia; Rapuano, Marco; Evtyugina, Margarita; Rienda, Ismael Casotti; Kovats, Nora; Vicente, Ana; Giardi, Fabio; Furst, Leonardo; Nunes, Teresa; Feliciano, ManuelThe distribution of daytime and nighttime sources of PM10 collected from January to March 2021 at an urban background site in the city of Braganca, Portugal, was performed using positive matrix factorisation (PMF). Additional data of PM2.5, NOx and meteorological variables were collected to support the interpretations. A solution with 5 factor profiles was found: traffic (33%), dust (24%), biomass burning (21%), secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) (12%) and sea salt (10%). Mean daytime and nighttime PM10 concentrations were 43.1 mu g m(-3) and 46.1 mu g m(-3), respectively. Nighttime concentrations were dominated by residential biomass combustion. Vehicle traffic and dust factors showed significantly greater contributions during the day (+12% and +4%, respectively), suggesting that exhaust and non-exhaust emissions and long-range transport are important contributors to daytime PM10 levels. In contrast, there were no significant differences between day and night for SIA and sea salt. Exceedances of the daily limit to PM10 (50 mu g m(-3)) and PM2.5 (15 mu g m(-3)) were observed in 22 (33%) and 27 (40%) days of the campaign, respectively, mostly associated with biomass burning for residential heating, but also with Saharan dust outbreaks. The application of the Aliivibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition assay for ecotoxicity assessment allowed classifying 70% of the samples as toxic, especially those from the nocturnal period, indicating that biomass burning is one of the main sources responsible for PM10 toxicity. Both the contributions from biomass burning estimated by the PMF and multiple tracers of this source showed statistically significant correlations with the toxicity units.
- The role of green spaces on urban environmental qualityPublication . Feliciano, Manuel; Gonçalves, Artur; Cardoso, Ana; Nunes, Teresa; Nunes, Luís; Cortez, José Paulo; Ribeiro, A.C.; Rodrigues, Orlando; Castro, João Paulo; Martins, Luís; Cerqueira, Mário; Castro, José; Teixeira, Amílcar; Monteiro, Maria do LoretoUrban green areas have the potential to attenuate some of the negative effects of urbanisation, making cities a more pleasant place to live in. In addition to aesthetic value, green spaces improve air quality, reduce noise levels and generate more comfortable micro-climatic conditions, among other benefits, contributing to urban quality of life. GreenUrbe (POCI/AMB/59174/2004) – The Impacts of Green Spaces on Urban Environmental Quality – is a three year research project, started in October 2005 and aims to assess the impact of green spaces on urban environmental quality (air quality, noise and micro-climatic conditions) and social well-being, in order to formulate recommendations regarding green spaces design, as it is an essential activity in urban planning, using Bragança (Portugal) as the case study. In order to achieve these objectives an extensive fieldwork is being carried out at an urban area, involving measurements of meteorological parameters, passive sampling of ozone, nitrogen dioxide and COVs, continuous measurements of particulate matter and ozone, environmental noise measurements, experimental designs to evaluate how much vegetation interfere with noise propagation and noise absorption, haze evaluation by means of Small Format Aerial Photography (SFAP) and a survey on population attitudes and perceptions towards the overall urban green spaces. In this article, emphasis will be given to the methodological aspects and to the first results of the project with regards to urban green structure analysis and quantitative evaluation of environmental noise, air quality and climate comfort at Bragança city.
- The role of urban green spaces in air qualityPublication . Feliciano, Manuel; Fernandes, Albano M.; Nunes, Teresa; Alves, P.; Gonçalves, Artur; Nunes, Luís; Cortez, José Paulo; Dias, L.G.