title: Ultrafine particles in ambient air of an urban area: dose implications for elderly.
abstract: Due to their detrimental effects on human health, the scientific interest in ultrafine particles (UFP) has been increasing, but available information is far from comprehensive. Compared to the remaining population, the elderly are potentially highly susceptible to the effects of outdoor air pollution. Thus, this study aimed to (1) determine the levels of outdoor pollutants in an urban area with emphasis on UFP concentrations and (2) estimate the respective dose rates of exposure for elderly populations. UFP were continuously measured over 3 weeks at 3 sites in north Portugal: 2 urban (U1 and U2) and 1 rural used as reference (R1). Meteorological parameters and outdoor pollutants including particulate matter (PM10), ozone (O3), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were also measured. The dose rates of inhalation exposure to UFP were estimated for three different elderly age categories: 64-70, 71-80, and >81 years. Over the sampling period levels of PM10, O3 and NO2 were in compliance with European legislation. Mean UFP were 1.7 × 10(4) and 1.2 × 10(4) particles/cm(3) at U1 and U2, respectively, whereas at rural site levels were 20-70% lower (mean of 1 ×10(4) particles/cm(3)). Vehicular traffic and local emissions were the predominant identified sources of UFP at urban sites. In addition, results of correlation analysis showed that UFP were meteorologically dependent. Exposure dose rates were 1.2- to 1.4-fold higher at urban than reference sites with the highest levels noted for adults at 71-80 yr, attributed mainly to higher inhalation rates.
authors: a LEPABE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia , Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors: Klara
authors: K
authors: Slezakova
authors: Jimmy
authors: J
authors: Fonseca
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Morais
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: do Carmo Pereira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D002947:Cities; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010126:Ozone; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide