scholarly journals Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Air Quality of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo: Analysis Based on Satellite Data, Monitoring Stations and Records of Annual Average Daily Traffic Volumes on the Main Access Roads to the City

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Pedro José Pérez-Martínez ◽  
Tiago Magalhães ◽  
Isabela Maciel ◽  
Regina M. de Miranda ◽  
Prashant Kumar

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air quality of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP). The effects of social distancing are still recent in the society; however, it was possible to observe patterns of environmental changes in places that had adhered transportation measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Thus, from the analysis of the traffic volumes made on some of the main access highways to the MRSP, as well as the monitoring of the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), directly linked to atmospheric emissions from motor vehicles–which make up about 95% of air polluting agents in the region in different locations–we showed relationships between the improvement in air quality and the decrease in vehicles that access the MRSP. To improve the data analysis, therefore, the isolation index parameter was evaluated to provide daily information on the percentage of citizens in each municipality of the state that was effectively practicing social distancing. The intersection of these groups of data determined that the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the volume of vehicles on the highways by up to 50% of what it was in 2019, with the subsequent recovery of the traffic volume, even surpassing the values from the baseline year. Thus, the isolation index showed a decline of up to 20% between its implementation in March 2020 and December 2020. These data and the way they varied during 2020 allowed to observe an improvement of up to 50% in analyzed periods of the pollutants PM2.5, CO and NO2 in the MRSP. The main contribution of this study, alongside the synergistic use of data from different sources, was to perform traffic flow analysis separately for light and heavy duty vehicles (LDVs and HDVs). The relationships between traffic volume patterns and COVID-19 pollution were analyzed based on time series.

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.


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

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.


Author(s):  
Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Demonstrating the results of Social Distancing Strategies (SDS) became a relevant factor to obtain support by the population in São Paulo State and in Brazil. The delay in the processing of PCR tests and the small number of tests available limits the ability of sanitary authorities to make meaningful data available as to the number of cases or the number of deaths due to COVID-19. Methodology: We use a time series analysis of deaths due to COVID-19 referenced to the date of deaths (as opposed to the date in which the test results were obtained). Results: We demonstrate that the SDS adopted in São Paulo City and State clearly brought meaningful results to delay the growth of COVID-19 cases. We also show that by using this type of time series it is possible to identify different trends for regions, allowing for targeted approaches. Additionally, by using a time series which is death-oriented makes it possible to identify, for São Paulo City, the effects of the SDS with the Social Isolation Index (SII) adopted in the state and to make a gross estimate for the SII, which prevents the growth of the disease. Conclusion: The use of a time series of deaths due to COVID-19 referenced to the date of the event allows a better understanding of the effects of the SDS on the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic in São Paulo State, Brazil.


2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-193
Author(s):  
Lissandra Xavier Ito ◽  
Mônica Lopes Aguiar

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Giovanna Cazella ◽  
Letícia Yamawaka De Almeida ◽  
Jaqueline Lemos De Oliveira ◽  
Ana Carolina Guidorizzi Zanetti ◽  
Jacqueline De Souza

Objetivo: analisar as características sociodemográficas associadas à percepção da qualidade de vida de mulheres atendidas na atenção primária. Metodologia: estudo transversal, quantitativo, desenvolvido com 113 mulheres em uma unidade de saúde do interior de São Paulo. Utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico e a versão abreviada do instrumento de avaliação de qualidade de vida. Para análise dos dados, foram empreendidos testes de associação. Resultados: a maioria das participantes era de classes sociais menos favorecidas e apresentava boa percepção de qualidade de vida e saúde. Os fatores renda, escolaridade e idade foram os mais relevantes na associação com a qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Apesar de mencionarem boa qualidade de vida e saúde, foram identificados piores resultados nos domínios físicos, psicológicos e meio ambiente.  Os achados reforçam a necessidade de que as ações de saúde estejam contextualizadas aos aspectos sociais/territoriais e vinculadas a políticas mais amplas de redução da vulnerabilidade social. WOMEN'S QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICSObjective: to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics associated to the perception of the quality of life of the women attended in the Primary Health Care. Methodology: this cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out with 113 women aged 20 to 65 years in a health unit in the interior of São Paulo. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-bref quality of life assessment instrument were used. For data analysis, association tests were undertaken. Results: the majority of participants were from less favored social classes and had a good perception of quality of life and health. The factors income, schooling and age were the most relevant in the association with quality of life. Conclusion: in view of the sociodemographic characteristics associated with quality of life in the present study, it is emphasized that health actions should be linked to broader policies to reduce social vulnerability, enabling empowerment strategies and, above all, increasing women's access to education and income.Descriptors: Quality of Life; Health Centers; Social Vulnerability; Women; Primary Health Care.CALIDAD DE VIDA DE LAS MUJERES Y LAS CARACTERÍSTICAS SOCIODEMOGRÁFICAS ASSOCIADASObjetivo: analizar las características sociodemográficas asociadas a la percepción de la calidad de vida de mujeres que acuden a atención primaria. Métodos: este estudio cuantitativo transversal se realizó con 113 mujeres de 20 a 65 años en una unidad de salud en el interior de São Paulo. Se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la versión abreviada del instrumento de evaluación de calidad de vida WHOQOL-bref. Para el análisis de los datos, se realizaron pruebas de asociación. Resultados: la mayoría de los participantes provenían de clases sociales más bajas y tenían una buena percepción de la calidad de vida y la salud. Los factores ingresos, educación y edad fueron los más relevantes en asociación con la calidad de vida. Conclusión: en vista de las características sociodemográficas asociadas con la calidad de vida en el presente estudio, se enfatiza que las acciones de salud están vinculadas a políticas más amplias para reducir la vulnerabilidad social, permitiendo estrategias de empoderamiento y, sobre todo, aumentando el acceso de las mujeres a educación e ingresos.Descriptores: Calidad de Vida; Centros de Salud; Vulnerabilidad Social; Mujeres; Atención Primaria de Salud.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osmar Pinto Neto ◽  
Deanna M. Kennedy ◽  
José Clark Reis ◽  
Yiyu Wang ◽  
Ana Carolina Brisola Brizzi ◽  
...  

AbstractWith COVID-19 surging across the world, understanding the effectiveness of intervention strategies on transmission dynamics is of primary global health importance. Here, we develop and analyze an epidemiological compartmental model using multi-objective genetic algorithm design optimization to compare scenarios related to strategy type, the extent of social distancing, time window, and personal protection levels on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil. The results indicate that the optimal strategy for São Paulo is to reduce social distancing over time with a stepping-down reduction in the magnitude of social distancing every 80-days. Our results also indicate that the ability to reduce social distancing depends on a 5–10% increase in the current percentage of people strictly following protective guidelines, highlighting the importance of protective behavior in controlling the pandemic. Our framework can be extended to model transmission dynamics for other countries, regions, states, cities, and organizations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 12015-12015
Author(s):  
Poliana Cardoso-Gustavson ◽  
Francine Faia Fernandes ◽  
Edenise Segala Alves ◽  
Mariana Pereira Victorio ◽  
Barbara Baesso Moura ◽  
...  

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