title: Pre-harvest cane burning and health: the association between school absences and burning sugarcane fields.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate an association between pre-harvest sugarcane burning and respiratory diseases in children under five years of age. The following data were collected in five schools in the city of Araraquara, SP, Southeastern Brazil, between March and June 2009: daily records of absences and the reasons stated for these absences, total concentration of suspended particulate matter (µg/m3), and air humidity. The relationship between the percentage of school absences due to respiratory problems and the concentration of particulate matter in March and from April to June presented a distinct behavior: absences increased alongside the increase in particulate matter concentration. The use of school absences as indicators of this relationship is an innovative approach.
authors.forename: Carla Cabrini
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia Silveira Bota
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Marcos Abdo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arbex
authors.forename: Maria Lúcia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Romeu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magnani
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D031786:Saccharum; D012906:Smoke; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D012906:Smoke