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A health risk assessment of inorganic and organic species associated with coarse and fine particulate matter (PM) was conducted in Southeastern Brazil. TSP, PM 10 , and PM 2.5 samples were collected, and their elemental (metals/metalloids) and organic (PAHs) composition were determined by EDXRF and GC-MS. The health risks were determined through hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk (CR). It was found that different elements and routes of exposure lead to different health risks, even for the PM concentration in compliance with air quality standards. The major routes of exposure for adults were inhalation and dermal contact whereas for children were ingestion and dermal contact. High non-cancer risks (HQ) caused by Cl and Fe exposure were associated with coarser fractions, PM 10 and TSP, respectively, whereas high HQ for Se, Sb, and V exposure were associated with PM 2.5 . HQ values for children were near twice that for adults, and CR values were 65 % to 130 % higher for children than for adults. CR posed by PAHs was negligible. The results highlighted that the HQ might be over- or underestimated depending on the form in which the element Cl is determined (elemental or ion), reinforcing the need for an embracing chemical characterization of the PM. High HQ values were found related to the exposure to some elements present in the TSP, showing that this PM fraction should not be neglected., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Elson Silva Galvao reports writing assistance was provided by Federal University of Espirito Santo., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A risk assessment and a source apportionment of the particulate- and gas-phase PAHs were conducted in a high vehicular traffic and industrialized region in southeastern Brazil. Higher concentrations of PAHs were found during summer, being likely driven by the contributions of PAHs in the vapor phase caused by fire outbreaks during this period. Isomer ratio diagnostic and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified four potential sources in the region, in which the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model confirmed and apportioned as gasoline-related (31.8%), diesel-related (25.1%), biomass burning (23.4%), and mixed sources (19.6%). The overall cancer risk had a tolerable value, with ∑CR = 4.6 × 10 -5 , being ingestion the major via of exposure (64% of the ∑CR), followed by dermal contact (33% of the ∑CR) and inhalation (3%). Mixed sources contributed up to 45% of the overall cancer risk (∑CR), followed by gasoline-related (up to 35%), diesel-related (up to 15%), and biomass burning (up to 10%). The risk assessment for individual PAH species allowed identifying higher CR associated with BaP, DBA, BbF, BaA, and BkF, species associated with gasoline-related and industrial sources. Higher risks were associated with PM 2.5 -bound PAHs exposure, mainly via ingestion and dermal contact, highlighting the need for measures of mitigation and control of PM 2.5 in the region., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Beaches with monazitic sands show high natural radiation, and the knowledge of this radiation is fundamental to simulate the effects of natural terrestrial radiation on biological systems. Monazite-rich sand from a beach in the southeastern Brazil were collected and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility. The natural terrestrial radiation of the beach sand showed a positive correlation with the Th and Y elements, which are closely associated with Ce, Nd, Ca, and P, suggesting that this grouping is mainly associated with local natural radiation. Based on the sand characterization, a physical simulator of natural gamma radiation was built with parameters similar to those of the monazite beach sand, considering areas with high natural radiation levels. The simulation revealed that the natural radiation of the monazite sands has a significant effect on reducing the growth of the bacteria strains of E. coli and S. aureus present in the beach sand, with a reduction of 23.8% and 18.4%, respectively., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere may be composed of many elements and compounds, including toxic species and hazardous materials, which demand effective control of its emissions, starting with the knowledge of the sources. In this sense, the mineralogical analysis of the PM might be a powerful tool. Here, we present a comprehensive mineralogical characterization of the coarse and fine PM in an industrialized city southeast of Brazil, including a discussion about the transport, deposition, and potential sources associated. Elemental and mineralogical analyses by EDXRF and RSr-XRD were performed on SPM, TSP, PM 10 , and PM 2.5 . The results showed distinct mineralogical composition depending on the PM size. Mineral phases in SPM and TSP were majorly composed of hematite and quartz, while PM 10 and PM 2.5 were majorly composed of carbon, halite, sulfates, and carbon. The results show hazardous mineral phases associated with respiratory injuries in all PM size classes, such as hematite, pyrite, EC, and quartz. The XRD analysis also revealed primary particles of sulfate in the region close to industrial sources., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

This study estimates exposure and inhaled dose to air pollutants of children residing in a tropical coastal-urban area in Southeast Brazil. For that, twenty-one children filled their time-activities diaries and wore the passive samplers to monitor NO 2 . The personal exposure was also estimated using data provided by the combination of WRF-Urban/GEOS-Chem/CMAQ models, and the nearby monitoring station. Indoor/outdoor ratios were used to consider the amount of time spent indoors by children in homes and schools. The model's performance was assessed by comparing the modelled data with concentrations measured by urban monitoring stations. A sensitivity analyses was also performed to evaluate the impact of the model's height on the air pollutant concentrations. The results showed that the mean children's personal exposure to NO 2 predicted by the model (22.3 μg/m 3 ) was nearly twice to those measured by the passive samplers (12.3 μg/m 3 ). In contrast, the nearest urban monitoring station did not represent the personal exposure to NO 2 (9.3 μg/m 3 ), suggesting a bias in the quantification of previous epidemiological studies. The building effect parameterisation (BEP) together with the lowering of the model height enhanced the air pollutant concentrations and the exposure of children to air pollutants. With the use of the CMAQ model, exposure to O 3 , PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1 was also estimated and revealed that the daily children's personal exposure was 13.4, 38.9, 32.9, and 9.6 μg/m 3 , respectively. Meanwhile, the potential inhalation daily dose was 570-667 μg for PM 2.5 , 684-789 μg for PM 10 , and 163-194 μg for PM 1 , showing to be favourable to cause adverse health effects. The exposure of children to air pollutants estimated by the numerical model in this work was comparable to other studies found in the literature, showing one of the advantages of using the modelling approach since some air pollutants are poorly spatially represented and/or are not routinely monitored by environmental agencies in many regions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Receptor models have been widely used for the source apportionment of airborne particulate matter. However, in the last 10 years, the use of factor analysis-based models, such as PMF and UNMIX, has increased significantly. The results yielded by these models must be interpreted by users who must know all variables influencing the modeling, and without this knowledge, the probability of incorrect interpretation of the source profiles may increase, especially when two or more sources have similar chemical profiles. Concerning the quality of data, this work shows that a broad characterization of PM composition, including inorganic, organic, and mineralogical species can improve this process, avoiding misinterpretation and the attribution of mixed or unidentified sources. This work aims to provide readers with some answers for a question often risen during source apportionment studies: Which source markers should be used for better separation and interpretation of source profiles? This review shows there is no right answer for this because different strategies can be used for this purpose. Therefore, this review aims to compile and highlight qualitatively the key strategies already used by several experienced receptor models users, combining the use of inorganic, organic, and mineralogical markers of PM for better separation and interpretation of the profiles yielded by receptor models. Also, this work presents a compilation in tables of the main chemical species reported in the literature as markers for interpreting the source profiles., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This work aims to characterize, in mineral and chemical terms, the ore tailings related to the Mariana disaster (MG, Brazil), occurred on 5 November 2015, and assess its correlation with sediments found in the continental shelf adjacent to the Doce River mouth (ES, Brazil). This study uses samples of tailings and seabed sediments collected at the mouth of the Doce River from 2012 to 2019. Elemental compositions of all samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence measurements; however, Synchrotron Resonant X-Ray Diffraction proved to be a remarkable technique to characterize the crystallographic phases of iron present in sediments. Studies and analyzes of the sediment samples showed that the tailings have a notable feature of the iron-crystallographic phases, mainly observed in the period after the Fundão dam failure, as compared with sediments collected in the period before. This set of iron-containing mineral phases, here called the Iron Mineralogical Set (IMS), consists of the main phases of hematite and magnetite and the minority phases of goethite and greenalite and it is used as a marker of tailings. Mass ac magnetic susceptibility measures supported the concept of the IMS as a marker. It is suggested a relationship between the content of the IMS in the sediment samples as a function of the measures of mass magnetic susceptibility. The IMS had shown the influence of tailings on the sea bed sediment indicating that there is no possibility, at the current stage, of predicting how many years this material will still be at the seabed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Evidence suggesting the association between the atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and health problems stress the need for the establishment of policies and actions aiming the improvement of air quality. As a start point, the knowledge of the main PM contributors is fundamental. Receptor models are frequently used for the identification and apportionment of local sources, nevertheless, some features of these models must be considered. For instance, whether the region has sources with similar chemical profiles and/or whether there is source temporal or spatial similarity, which can generate collinearity, affecting the sensibility of the models. In this work, it is presented some study of cases showing some strengths of the chemical mass balance model (CMB), such as to infer specific sources acting over specific locations in a same region, and its weaknesses for separating collinear sources. Besides, this work shows some study of cases reporting that the identification of specific PM markers (organic, inorganic, and crystallographic) and determined in the receptor samples can lead to better sources separation and improvements in the interpretation of the results using positive matrix factorization model. This work also highlights for the importance of the information provided by receptor models, in which should be carefully considered by the environmental agencies for decision-making concerning air quality management.

At the end of 2015, the rupture of an iron ore tailings dam resulted in the standstill of a pelletizing plant in the city of Anchieta, southeastern Brazil. Despite the negative environmental impact due to the dam rupture, the pelletizing plant standstill has provided a valuable opportunity for the assessment of the changes in local air quality. This work presents a statistical analysis of the spatial and temporal patterns of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and O 3 , between 2012 and 2018, aiming to identify the trends in the air quality since the pelletizing plant standstill. This work also shows the analysis of the short-term and long-term exposures and the exceedances of the local air quality standards (AQS), as well as the study of the directional patterns of the pollutants associated with the prevailing winds. Since 2016, a meaningful improvement in the air quality of Anchieta was observed, coinciding with the pelletizing plant standstill. Since then, PM 10 annual averages have decreased between 10 and 30%, while SO 2 annual averages have decreased between 38 and 64%, depending on the monitoring station, which has led to a significant reduction in the exceedances of the AQS thresholds for these pollutants. Besides, the results suggest, qualitatively, a strong influence of the industrial emissions on the health of the Anchieta's population. The restart of the pelletizing plant production is expected in 2020; nevertheless, the results suggest the need for major improvements in the pollution control systems of the pelletizing plant before its resumption. Graphical abstract.

Chemical characterization of PM 2.5 and PM 10 is important to identify potential compounds that induce biological responses that translate into cardio-respiratory health problems. This study shows the reliability of the use of crystalline phases, identified in samples from receptor sites, as source markers, helping researchers to infer the main sources of air pollution, even without the use of receptor models. PM 2.5 and PM 10 samples were collected at two sites in an urban industrialized region located at southeast of Brazil and analyzed by Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction to identify crystalline compounds. Results show 5 PM 10 and PM 2.5 species not previously reported in the literature. We propose reaction mechanisms for these species and identify specific sources for each crystalline phase found: BaTiO 3 was found in PM 10 receptor samples and proved to be a vehicular marker formed during brake action; maghemite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ), pyracmonite [(NH 4 ) 3 Fe(SO 4 ) 3 ], ammonium perchlorate (NH 3 OHClO 4 ) and potassium ferrate (K 2 Fe 2 O 4 ) were found in PM 2.5 proved to be markers of industrial activities. The crystalline phases found in PM samples from receptor sites and the mechanisms of reactions showed the reliability of the use of crystalline phases as source markers in the identification of potential sources of air pollution without misinterpretation of the likely source., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Particulate matter source identification using receptor models is one of the tools applied in air quality management. These models have limitations such as the collinearity effects, hindering their application and interpretation. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) models use chemical markers for the definition of likely sources, leaving to users the factors interpretation. This can lead to biased interpretations, as chemical species can be markers for several sources, particularly when there is source similarity. The Region of Greater Vitória, located southeast of Brazil, is a complex site in which similar industrial activities are installed, such as a pelletizing plant and a steel plant, that produce iron pellets and sinter, both iron-agglomerates with similar chemical profiles. To minimize the effects of collinearity between those sources, a new PMF approach is proposed by using inorganic and organic chemical species and the directionality of pollutant using wind roses. The proposed methodology determines the following consolidated markers: elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) for vehicular sources; chloride (Cl) and sodium (Na) for sea salt; iron (Fe) for industrial sources. This association was possible by identifying the directionality of the chemical species. Cl a typical sea salt marker also attributed to industrial sintering activities. Some PMF factors showed high OC loadings, a typical marker for both vehicular exhaust and coal burning. The definition of the most appropriate sources for those factors was only possible due to the assessment of the pollutant roses. Pollutant roses generally showed that higher concentrations of potassium (K), a marker of biomass burning, was predominantly associated with winds from an industrial park, and are most likely associated with sintering emissions. Results showed that combining both organic and inorganic markers with the pollutant roses for identification of the directionality of predominant sources improved the interpretation of PMF factor numbers in source apportionment studies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Particulate matter driven health problems are strongly associated with its chemical composition. Despite the benefits of using source apportionment models for air quality management, limitations such as collinearity effects, restrict their application or compromise the accurate separation of sources, particularly for particulate matter with similar chemical profiles. Receptors models also depend on the operator expertise to appropriately classified sources, a subjective process that can lead to biased results. For highly correlated sources, the identification of specific markers is still the best way to achieve proper source apportionment. In this study, Resonant Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction has been applied to the analysis of atmospheric particles to determine markers for industrial and vehicular sources in the Region of Greater Vitória, Brazil. Total suspended particulate matter, PM 10, and PM 2.5 samples were analyzed by Resonant Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction showing high levels of iron-based crystalline phases. In comparison to the use of chemical elemental species, the identification of the crystalline phases provided an enhanced approach to classify specific iron-based source markers. For this study, α-Fe 2 O 3 was identified with iron-based sources such as iron ore, pelletizing, and sintering; metallic Fe was inferred with blast furnaces and steelmaking; FeS 2 was correlated with coal deposits; and K 2 Fe 2 O 4 was associated to sintering emissions. Elemental carbon with different X-ray diffraction patterns enabled the differentiation of industrial and vehicular sources. The attribution of crystal rather than elemental composition in the identification of sources improves the accuracy of source apportionment studies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Epidemiological studies have shown the association of airborne particulate matter (PM) size and chemical composition with health problems affecting the cardiorespiratory and central nervous systems. PM also act as cloud condensation nuclei (CNN) or ice nuclei (IN), taking part in the clouds formation process, and therefore can impact the climate. There are several works using different analytical techniques in PM chemical and physical characterization to supply information to source apportionment models that help environmental agencies to assess damages accountability. Despite the numerous analytical techniques described in the literature available for PM characterization, laboratories are normally limited to the in-house available techniques, which raises the question if a given technique is suitable for the purpose of a specific experimental work. The aim of this work consists of summarizing the main available technologies for PM characterization, serving as a guide for readers to find the most appropriate technique(s) for their investigation. Elemental analysis techniques like atomic spectrometry based and X-ray based techniques, organic and carbonaceous techniques and surface analysis techniques are discussed, illustrating their main features as well as their advantages and drawbacks. We also discuss the trends in analytical techniques used over the last two decades. The choice among all techniques is a function of a number of parameters such as: the relevant particles physical properties, sampling and measuring time, access to available facilities and the costs associated to equipment acquisition, among other considerations. An analytical guide map is presented as a guideline for choosing the most appropriated technique for a given analytical information required., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Settleable particulate matter (SPM), especially coarser particles with diameters greater than 10 μm, has been found culprit of high deposition rates in cities affected by hinterland industrial activities. This is the case of Metropolitan Region of Vitoria (MRV), Espirito Santo, Brazil where industrial facilities are located within the urban sprawl and building constructions are intense. Frequent population complaints to the environmental protection agency (IEMA) throughout the years have triggered monitoring campaigns to determine SPM deposition rates and source apportionment. Eight different locations were monitored throughout the MRV, and SPM was quantified and chemically characterized. Sources profiles were defined either by using US EPA SPECIATE data or by experimental analysis. Atmospheric fallout in the MRV ranged between 2 and 20g/(m 2 30-day), with only one monitoring station ranging from 6-10 g/(m 2 30-day). EC, OC, Fe, Al, and Si were found the main constituents of dry deposition in the region. Source apportionment by the chemical mass balance (CMB) model determined that steel and iron ore pelletizing industries were the main contributor to one of the eight locations whereas resuspension, civil construction, and vehicular sources were also very important contributors to the other stations. Quarries and soil were also considered expressive SPM sources, but at the city periphery. CMB model could differentiate contributions from six industrial source groups: thermoelectric; iron ore, pellet, and pellet furnaces; coal coke and coke oven; sintering, blast furnace, and basic oxygen furnace; and soil, resuspension, and vehicles. However, the CMB model was unable to differentiate between iron ore and pellet stockpiles which are present in both steel and iron ore pelletizing industries. Further characterization of source and SPM might be necessary to aid local authorities in decision-making regarding these two industrial sources.

Speciation and the influence on the ozone formation potential (OFP) from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been studied between February June 2013 in Vitória, ES, Brazil. Passive samplers were installed at three air-quality monitoring stations and a total of 96 samplings were collected. A total of 78 VOCs were characterized by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The predominant group was organic acids, followed by alcohols and substituted aromatics and 14 precursor species were quantified. An analysis correlating concentrations with wind direction was conducted to identify possible sources. The OFP was calculated applying the scale of maximum incremental reactivity proposed by Carter.[ 23 ] Ozone precursors with the greatest OFP such as undecane, toluene, ethylbenzene and m, p-xylene compounds were the most abundant with means of 0.855, 0.365, 0.259 and 0.289 µg m(-3), respectively. The benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) group was found below the limits considered harmful to the health of the population living in Vitória. The OFP calculated for the precursors group was 22.55 µg m(-3) for the rainy season and 32.11 µg m(-3) for the dry season. The VOC/NOx ratio in Vitória is approximately 1.71, indicating that the region has a VOC-limiting condition for the production of ozone.

This study sought to assess the effectiveness of health services in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Foz do Iguaçu-PR, the triple border region of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In this epidemiologic, cross-sectional study, 101 persons with tuberculosis were interviewed in 2009 by using an instrument based on the Primary Care Assessment Tool . The analysis was based on proportions and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%) and means. Emergency units (37%) and primary health care units (26%) were the most sought units. Access to medical consultation on the same day reached 70%, but tuberculosis was suspected in less than 47% of patients; bacilloscopy was conducted in 50% of patients. We conclude that although these services provide rapid care, they do not determine the true diagnosis and lead the patient to seek specialized services. Specialty services are more effective in establishing the correct diagnosis. In the triple border region, seeking care at a primary health care unit led to extra time and more returns to the hospital for a tuberculosis diagnosis.

The scope of this paper is to analyze delays in locating health services for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Ribeirao Preto in 2009. An epidemiological and cross-sectional study was conducted with 94 TB patients undergoing treatment. A structured questionnaire, based on the Primary Care Assessment Tool adapted for TB care was used. A median (15 days or more) was established to characterize delay in health attendance. Using the Prevalence Ratio, the variables associated with longer delay were identified. The first healthcare services sought were the Emergency Services (ES) (57.5%). The longest period between seeking assistance occurred among males, aged between 50 and 59, who earned less than five minimum wages, had pulmonary TB, were new cases, were not co-infected with TB/HIV, did not consume alcohol, had satisfactory knowledge about TB before diagnosis (with a statistically significant association with delay) and who did not seek healthcare close to home before developing TB. There is a perceived need for training healthcare professionals about the signs and symptoms of the disease, reducing barriers of access to timely diagnosis of TB and widely disseminating it to the community in general.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the work situations experienced by Family Health Strategy (FHS) professionals. This descriptive study was performed in Ceará-Mirim, Rio Grande do Norte state, in 2007. The population consisted of 190 FHS professionals, in which a questionnaire with closed-questions was applied. The results showed that 83.2% of the professionals consider that knowing the geographical area under their responsibility is a positive aspect that helps performing their activities, while 40.5% consider the number of families that each team has to follow to be a difficulty. Regarding work conditions, 93.2% reported the presence of professionals with a public health profile and 86.6% reported there is a lack of equipment and instruments. Of professionals who work exclusively with the FHS, 74% are community health agents. The commitment and responsibility to replace the traditional care practices should concern everyone, and there is a need for an interaction between historical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors.