The impact of sugar cane-burning emissions on the respiratory system of children and the elderly

We analyzed the influence of emissions front burning sugar cane on the respiratory system during almost I year in the city of Piracicaba in southeast Brazil. From April 1997 through March 1998, samples of inhalable particles were collected, separated into fine and coarse particulate mode, and analyzed for black carbon and tracer elements. At the same time, we examined daily records of children ( 64 years of age) admitted to the hospital because of respiratory diseases. Generalized linear models were adopted with natural cubic splines to control for season and linear terms to control for weather. Analyses were carried out for the entire period, as well as for burning and rionburning periods. Additional models were built using three factors obtained from factor analysis instead of particles or tracer elements. Increases of 10.2 mu g/m(3) in particles <= 2.5 mu m/m(3) aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and 42.9 mu g/m(3) in PM10 were associated with increases of 21.4% [95% confidence interval (0), 4.3-38.5] and 31.03% (95% Cl, 1.25-60.21) in child and elderly respiratory hospital admissions, respectively. When we compared periods, the effects during the burning period were much higher than the effects during nonburning period. Elements generated from sugar cane burning (factor 1) were those most associated with both child and elderly respiratory admissions. Our results show the adverse impact of sugar cane burning emissions on the health of the population, reinforcing the need for public efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate this source of air pollution.Univ São Paulo, Sch Med, Environm Epidemiol Study Grp, Lab Expt Air Pollut, BR-05508 São Paulo, BrazilCatholic Univ Santos, Community Hlth Postgrad Program, Santos, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, Piracicaba, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Phys, BR-05508 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Internal Med, Pulm Physiopathol & Air Pollut Res Grp, São Paulo, BrazilHarvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Exposure Epidemiol & Risk Program, Dept Environm Hlth, Boston, MA 02115 USAUniv Santo Amaro, Sch Med, Environm Pediat Program, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Internal Med, Pulm Physiopathol & Air Pollut Res Grp, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The impact of sugar cane-burning emissions on the respiratory system of children and the elderly

We analyzed the influence of emissions front burning sugar cane on the respiratory system during almost I year in the city of Piracicaba in southeast Brazil. From April 1997 through March 1998, samples of inhalable particles were collected, separated into fine and coarse particulate mode, and analyzed for black carbon and tracer elements. At the same time, we examined daily records of children (< 13 years of age) and elderly people (> 64 years of age) admitted to the hospital because of respiratory diseases. Generalized linear models were adopted with natural cubic splines to control for season and linear terms to control for weather. Analyses were carried out for the entire period, as well as for burning and rionburning periods. Additional models were built using three factors obtained from factor analysis instead of particles or tracer elements. Increases of 10.2 mu g/m(3) in particles <= 2.5 mu m/m(3) aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and 42.9 mu g/m(3) in PM10 were associated with increases of 21.4% [95% confidence interval (0), 4.3-38.5] and 31.03% (95% Cl, 1.25-60.21) in child and elderly respiratory hospital admissions, respectively. When we compared periods, the effects during the burning period were much higher than the effects during nonburning period. Elements generated from sugar cane burning (factor 1) were those most associated with both child and elderly respiratory admissions. Our results show the adverse impact of sugar cane burning emissions on the health of the population, reinforcing the need for public efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate this source of air pollution

Study of wet precipitation and its chemical composition in South of Brazil

The purpose of this study is to analyze the chemical composition of wet precipitation in samples collected at three stations in the Candiota region in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Samples were collected in 2004. Variables analyzed in wet precipitation were pH, conductivity, and concentration of Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-) F-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, and Cr. SO2 and NO2 distribution over the time were also evaluated. Results have showed that pH < 5.6 are found mostly at Candiota airport (85%), followed by Aceguá (72%) and Três Lagoas (65%). Enrichment Factor of the studied ions in wet deposition revealed higher Ca2+ and SO4(2-) enrichment in Três Lagoas. Factor Analysis applied to metals and major ions allowed identifying the major sources. While Cl-, Na+, Mg2+ are of marine origin, SO4(2-), NO3-, NH4+ ,F- come from anthropogenic sources. Except for Fe and Mn originating from the soil dust, the metals studied showed to have anthropogenic influence The average SO2 and NO2 concentration, as well as SO4(2-) and NO3- in wet precipitation in the Candiota region showed higher concentrations during the warmer months.<br>O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a composição química da precipitação úmida em amostras coletadas em três estações na região de Candiota no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) Brasil. Amostras foram coletadas em 2004. Variáveis analisadas na precipitação úmida foram pH, condutividade e concentração de Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-) F-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co e Cr. Distribuição no tempo de SO2 e NO2 também foi avaliada. Resultados mostraram que pH < 5,6 são encontrados em sua maioria no aeroporto de Candiota (85%), seguidos pelo Aceguá (72%) e Três Lagoas (65%). Fator de Enriquecimento dos íons estudados na deposição úmida revelou maior enriquecimento de Ca2+ e SO4² em Três Lagoas. Análise Fatorial aplicada aos metais e íons maiores permitiu identificação de fontes maiores. Enquanto Cl-, Na+, Mg2+ são de origem marinha, SO4(2-), NO3-, NH4+, F- são provenientes de fontes antropogênicas. Exceto Fe e Mn originários de poeira do solo, os metais estudados mostraram ter influência antropogênica. A média da concentração de SO2 e NO2, bem como SO4(2-) e NO3- na precipitação úmida na região de Candiota mostrou maiores concentrações durante os meses mais quentes