scholarly journals Air quality assessment in Southeast Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: report of increased air pollution

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Kabke Bainy ◽  
Ilma Aparecida Paschoal ◽  
Ana Maria Heuminski de Avila ◽  
Henrique Oliveira dos Santos

On March 24, 2020, a partial lockdown was decreed in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, as a measure to hinder the spread of COVID-19, which consisted in prohibiting crowding and advising people to stay home, except for urgent or extremely necessary matters. Based on studies performed in other countries, this study aims to assess the impacts of the lockdown on the air quality of five cities in the state of São Paulo. Our study was conducted by using particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide as air quality indicators, and by correlating the contaminants concentrations with weather data. The results showed an increase in these contaminants in all cities within the first weeks after the lockdown compared with the weeks before the decree and with the same period in previous years. This result is inconsistent with the literature. Therefore, a secondary goal was set to investigate the possible cause (or causes) of such deterioration in air quality, which led to the increased number of wildfires. The anomalous dry weather favored the burning of vegetation in agricultural rural areas and in small, vegetated areas near the municipalities, and limited pollution scavenging by rainfall, both of which contributed to higher pollution concentration. We hypothesize the possible effects of worse air quality on the aggravation of COVID-19, but further research is necessary to obtain a complete assessment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A L F Braga ◽  
B B B Oliveira ◽  
A Senigalia ◽  
P R S Pestana ◽  
L A A Pereira ◽  
...  

Abstract Deleterious effects of air pollution on human health have been observed, including increases in respiratory symptoms and decreases in lung function. Few studies in Brazil have investigated this association in asthmatic children and there is no study in those regions. The aim of this study was evaluating the influence of air pollution on lung function in children. Methods Panel study with longitudinal assessment for 12 months of exposure to air pollutants and their effects on lung function in children living in Santos, Cubatão and Presidente Prudente. Data were obtained from monthly spirometry and information on air quality through Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo. Models of equations for generalized estimates were adopted to analyze the effects of the exposure to air pollution on respiratory function, controlled for temperature and humidity. Results The concentration of PM10 did not exceed the values established as standard for the state of São Paulo (120μg/m3) during the study. In spirometry, the main parameter for characterization of bronchial obstruction is FEV1/CVF. In Santos, it was observed that the increase of 13.35 μg/m3 of PM10 led to a significant reduction of FEV1/CVF on the day and seven days after exposure, with greatest effect in lag 5 (-21.45% (95% CI: -7.34; -35.56) in asthmatics. In Presidente Prudente it was found a significant reduction of FEV1/CVF on the day and on the seven days after exposure to PM10 (-78.22% (95% CI: 55.68-100.75)). In Cubatão, it was observed a significant reduction of FEV1/CVF on the day, the first, third, fourth and seventh day after exposure of PM10, (lag 4 -54.75% (95% CI: -22.09; -87.41)). In the non-asthmatics group no significant reductions were observed in any of the locations. Conclusions Although the pollution levels remained within the air quality standards for the State of São Paulo, children with asthma presented significant reductions in lung function after exposure to the pollutants. Key messages Susceptible groups must be the main concern on air pollution adverse health effects studies. Efforts to reduce air pollution in Brazil can not be abandoned, once it remains affecting public health.


Author(s):  
Leonardo Silva Junior ◽  
Jéssica Andrade Vilas Boas ◽  
Marcos Eduardo Cordeiro Bernardes ◽  
Maria Inês Nogueira Alvarenga

Os processos ecológicos contribuem de forma ímpar para vivência humana, sendo capazes de fornecer condições essenciais à manutenção da vida na Terra, permitindo que ecossistemas se mantenham em equilíbrio. Nesse cenário, algumas áreas designadas legalmente pelo poder público, incubem-se de proteger vestígios naturais às ações antrópicas, porém estas áreas protegidas vêm sofrendo continuamente com pressões humanas mesmo em seus interiores. Assim, o Parque Estadual da Ilha Anchieta (PEIA), localizado no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo, é uma das áreas protegidas mais visitadas do estado. Nesse contexto, diversas atividades recreativas são permitidas em seu interior, possibilitando assim possíveis adversidades aos processos ecológicos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade visual da paisagem do PEIA, por meio de indicadores ambientais. Para tal, foram selecionadas 10 paisagens de alta relevância quanto a sua beleza cênica, fluxo de turistas, amplitude visual, relevância educacional e para a conservação ambiental. As paisagens encontram-se em diferentes altitudes, fitofisionomias, aspectos abióticos e níveis de acesso público, com diversidade espacial, o que confere características únicas a elas. Os seguintes indicadores visuais foram usados na classificação das paisagens: diversidade; naturalidade; singularidade e detratores. Além disso, os locais foram georreferenciados e fotografados. Como resultado, quatro locais apresentaram qualidade visual média; quatro, com qualidade visual média superior e duas paisagens com qualidade visual superior. Em geral, a qualidade visual foi inferior nas zonas frontais do PEIA, onde o acesso aos turistas é facilitado por trilhas e infraestrutura de apoio. Já regiões mais afastadas e de difícil acesso foram as que apresentaram melhor qualidade visual. Deste modo, conclui-se que de fato a interferência humana reflete diretamente na qualidade visual das paisagens e assim, medidas de gestão ambiental, principalmente a atualização do seu plano de manejo, que data de 1989, podem dar suporte a uma proteção mais qualificada ao parque, bem como, proporcionar uma experiência ainda mais agradável e educativa aos seus visitantes. Quality visual landscape of State Park Anchieta Island, Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) ABSTRACT The ecological processes contribute in a unique way to human experience, being able to provide essential conditions for sustaining life on earth, allowing that keep ecosystems in balance. In this scenario, some areas legally designated by the Government, incubate up to protect natural traces to human actions, but these protected areas are continuously suffering from human pressures even in their interiors, Thus, the State Park of the Anchieta Island (PEIA), located on the northern coast of São Paulo, is one of the most visited protected areas of the state. In this context, various recreational activities are allowed inside, thus enabling possible adversities to ecological processes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the visual quality of PEIA landscape through environmental indicators. To this end, were selected 10 landscapes of high relevance as its scenic beauty, tourist flow, visual range, educational relevance and to environmental conservation. The landscapes are at different altitudes, vegetation types, abiotic aspects and public access levels with spatial diversity, which gives unique characteristics to them. The following visual indicators were used in the classification of landscapes: diversity; naturalness; uniqueness and detractors. Furthermore, the sites were georeferenced and photographed. As result, four sites had visual medium quality; four, with visual medium superior quality and two landscapes with visual superior quality. In general, the visual quality was lower in the frontal areas of the PEIA, where access to tourists is facilitated by trails and infrastructure support. Already more remote areas and difficult access showed the best visual quality. Thus, it is concluded that in fact human interference directly reflects the visual quality of the landscape and thus environmental management measures, mainly updating its management plan, dating from 1989 can support a more qualified protection park, as well as provide an experience even more enjoyable and educational visitors. KEYWORDS: Ecotourism; Protected Areas; Environmental Indicators.


Author(s):  
Daniela Debone ◽  
Mariana da Costa ◽  
Simone Miraglia

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by spreading rapidly a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has imposed a unique situation for the humanity. Sao Paulo has reported 124,105 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,623 deaths up to June 14th, being considered the epicenter of the pandemic in Brazil and in South America. Due to the measures for social distancing, there was a drop in the air pollution concentration in Sao Paulo. Starting on March 16th, 2020, we broke 90 days of social distancing into 13 weeks and compared to an equivalent period in 2019. We investigated the air quality improvement during the quarantine period and compared the associated avoided deaths to COVID-19 burden deaths. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was the best indicator of air quality in the analyzed weeks, since its reduction reached 58 %. Our study showed that the 5,623 deaths occurred during the analyzed weeks of quarantine represents an economic health loss of US$ 10.5 billion. In opposite, we observed a significant air quality improvement due to pollutants concentrations’ reductions during the analyzed weeks. Considering PM10, PM2.5 and NO2, the decrease of concentration levels respectively avoided 78, 337 and 387 premature deaths and prevented up to US$ 1.5 billion on health costs. These results highlight the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations and measures to protect human health both during and after COVID-19 pandemic.


2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (spe) ◽  
pp. 60-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emília Hamada ◽  
Raquel Ghini ◽  
Paulo Rossi ◽  
Mário José Pedro Júnior ◽  
Jeferson Lobato Fernandes

Viticulture in Brazil has been growing in importance in recent years. In the State of São Paulo, a significant percentage of the production is basically destined to in natura consumption and, more recently, much effort has been made by institutions to revitalize the viticulture in the State. Among fungal diseases, the downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is one of the main diseases affecting this crop in Brazil, with extreme damage effects on its production. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of the downy mildew on grape under the climatic conditions of the State of São Paulo, based on a mathematical model and using Geographical Information System - GIS tools. The study considered the months from September to April, a period in which the downy mildew can affect grapevines under development. Mean temperature and relative humidity were the basic weather data entered in the GIS database. Leaf wetness duration was estimated from relative humidity measurements. Climatic data entered in the GIS were used to calculate and produce maps depicting the severity of the grape downy mildew, through the application of a disease model. Three cities were evaluated (Jales, Jundiaí, and São Miguel Arcanjo), since they represent the main vineyard centers in the State. The adopted methodology permitted quantifying the severity of the grape downy mildew not only in spatial terms, identifying the variability among the different regions of the State, but also in temporal terms, along the months, making an adequate distinction of the studied cities.


Author(s):  
Daniela Cristina Almeida Pereira ◽  
Danilo Custódio ◽  
Maria de Fátima de Andrade ◽  
Célia Alves ◽  
Pérola de Castro Vasconcellos

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Carmen Silvia Gabriel ◽  
Daniele Ramos ◽  
Andrea Boldrini ◽  
Silvana Silveira Kempfer ◽  
Andrea Bernardes ◽  
...  

Quality indicators are tools to measure the quality of care. Objective: To identify the quality indicators adopted by nursing services of hospitals in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional, non-experimental, descriptive and quantitative approach, performed in seventeen teaching hospitals in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, using a questionnaire answered by the head of the Nursing Service. Results: Only 5.9% of hospital nursing services do not adopt indicators, showing concern for the quality of care. There is a preference for the adoption of care indicators. Conclusion: A culture of adoption and analysis of indicators exists in hospital nursing services and the indicators are related to classical nursing care processes, with less emphasis on the adoption of indicators related to human resource management and user satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Debone ◽  
Mariana V. da Costa ◽  
Simone G. E. K. Miraglia

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a unique situation for humanity, reaching up to 5623 deaths in Sao Paulo city during the analyzed period of this study. Due to the measures for social distancing, an improvement of air quality was observed worldwide. In view of this scenario, we investigated the air quality improvement related to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 concentrations during 90 days of quarantine compared to an equivalent period in 2019. We found a significant drop in air pollution of 45% of PM10, 46% of PM2.5, and 58% of NO2, and using a relative-risk function, we estimated that this significant air quality improvement avoided, respectively, 78, 337, and 387 premature deaths, respectively, and prevented approximately US $720 million on health costs. Moreover, we estimated that 5623 deaths by COVID-19 represent an economic health loss of US $10.5 billion. Both health and economic gains associated with air pollution reductions give a positive perspective of the efforts towards keeping air pollution reduced even after the pandemic, highlighting the importance of improving the strategies of air pollution mitigation actions, as well as the crucial role of adopting efficient measures to protect human health both during and after the COVID-19 global health crisis.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Naaman Francisco Nogueira Silva ◽  
Ketilin Siqueira de Aguiar ◽  
Natan de Jesus Pimentel Filho ◽  
Iuri Emmanuel de Paula Ferreira ◽  
Caetano Afonso Lanzoni Troiani ◽  
...  

Abstract Porungo is a traditional pasta filata cheese produced using raw milk throughout the southwest region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives of this Research Communication were to evaluate the quality of raw milk used to make Porungo cheese, to characterize its production process, and to determine its chemical composition. The results showed that the raw milk met both Brazilian and international quality requirements. Chemically, Porungo can be classified as a medium to full fat semi-hard fresh cheese. Our study has allowed the first standards and regulations for Porungo to be established in Brazil. By virtue of this, the local producers are able to formalize their activity while consumers can have access to a safe and certified product.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Constante Martins ◽  
Alexsandro Elias Arbarotti ◽  
Raiza Campregher

Abstract The water resources management model in the state of São Paulo is characterized by the participation of water users from different sectors of the economy within the ambit of River Basin Committees and other organizations of the water management system. The purpose of this article is to present a survey and systematization of the performance of representatives of São Paulo’s agricultural sector in this decentralized and participatory system of water governance. To this end, this article recreates the profile of this sectoral representation in the State Water Resources Council and in the Committees for rural areas with strong agricultural dynamics in the state. The findings of this study reveal significant political and propositional differences between São Paulo’s agriculture and agroindustry sectors. Such differences have to do with the structure and capillarity of the entities that represent these sectors, as well as their divergent concept of management.


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