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Dr. Pedro Branco
Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

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0 Indoor Air Quality
0 Mitigation Strategies
0 statistical analysis
0 Occupational exposure
0 low-cost sensors for air quality monitoring

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Indoor Air Quality
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Journal article
Published: 18 July 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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Poor indoor air quality in scholar environments have been frequently reported, but its impact on respiratory health in schoolchildren has not been sufficiently explored. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between children's exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) in nursery and primary schools and childhood asthma. Multivariate models (independent and multipollutant) quantified the associations of children's exposure with asthma-related health outcomes: reported active wheezing, reported and diagnosed asthma, and lung function (reduced FEV1/FVC and reduced FEV1). A microenvironmental modelling approach estimated individual inhaled exposure to major indoor air pollutants (CO2, CO, formaldehyde, NO2, O3, TVOC, PM2.5 and PM10) in nursery and primary schools from both urban and rural sites in northern Portugal. Questionnaires and medical tests (spirometry pre- and post-bronchodilator) were used to obtain information on health outcomes and to diagnose asthma following the newest international clinical guidelines. After testing children for aeroallergen sensitisation, multinomial models estimated the effect of exposure to particulate matter on asthma in sensitised individuals. The study population were 1530 children attending nursery and primary schools, respectively 648 pre-schoolers (3–5 years old) and 882 primary school children (6–10 years old). This study found no evidence of a significant association between IAP in nursery and primary schools and the prevalence of childhood asthma. However, reported active wheezing was associated with higher NO2, and reduced FEV1 was associated with higher O3 and PM2.5, despite NO2 and O3 in schools were always below the 200 μg m−3 threshold from WHO and National legislation, respectively. Moreover, sensitised children to common aeroallergens were more likely to have asthma during childhood when exposed to particulate matter in schools. These findings support the urgent need for mitigation measures to reduce IAP in schools, reducing its burden to children's health.

ACS Style

Pedro T.B.S. Branco; Maria C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Catarina Ferraz; Luísa G. Vaz; Sofia I.V. Sousa. Impact of indoor air pollution in nursery and primary schools on childhood asthma. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 745, 140982 .

AMA Style

Pedro T.B.S. Branco, Maria C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Catarina Ferraz, Luísa G. Vaz, Sofia I.V. Sousa. Impact of indoor air pollution in nursery and primary schools on childhood asthma. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 745 ():140982.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro T.B.S. Branco; Maria C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Catarina Ferraz; Luísa G. Vaz; Sofia I.V. Sousa. 2020. "Impact of indoor air pollution in nursery and primary schools on childhood asthma." Science of The Total Environment 745, no. : 140982.

Review article
Published: 12 April 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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The use of low-cost sensor technology to monitor air pollution has made remarkable strides in the last decade. The development of low-cost devices to monitor air quality in indoor environments can be used to understand the behaviour of indoor air pollutants and potentially impact on the reduction of related health impacts. These user-friendly devices are portable, require low-maintenance, and can enable near real-time, continuous monitoring. They can also contribute to citizen science projects and community-driven science. However, low-cost sensors have often been associated with design compromises that hamper data reliability. Moreover, with the rapidly increasing number of studies, projects, and grey literature based on low-cost sensors, information got scattered. Intending to identify and review scientifically validated literature on this topic, this study critically summarizes the recent research pertinent to the development of indoor air quality monitoring devices using low-cost sensors. The method employed for this review was a thorough search of three scientific databases, namely: ScienceDirect, IEEE, and Scopus. A total of 891 titles published since 2012 were found and scanned for relevance. Finally, 41 research articles consisting of 35 unique device development projects were reviewed with a particular emphasis on device development: calibration and performance of sensors, the processor used, data storage and communication, and the availability of real-time remote access of sensor data. The most prominent finding of the study showed a lack of studies consisting of sensor performance as only 16 out of 35 projects performed calibration/validation of sensors. An even fewer number of studies conducted these tests with a reference instrument. Hence, a need for more studies with calibration, credible validation, and standardization of sensor performance and assessment is recommended for subsequent research.

ACS Style

Hiten Chojer; Pedro Branco; F.G. Martins; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; S.I.V. Sousa. Development of low-cost indoor air quality monitoring devices: Recent advancements. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 727, 138385 .

AMA Style

Hiten Chojer, Pedro Branco, F.G. Martins, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, S.I.V. Sousa. Development of low-cost indoor air quality monitoring devices: Recent advancements. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 727 ():138385.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hiten Chojer; Pedro Branco; F.G. Martins; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; S.I.V. Sousa. 2020. "Development of low-cost indoor air quality monitoring devices: Recent advancements." Science of The Total Environment 727, no. : 138385.

Letter to the editor
Published: 27 January 2020 in Allergy
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Pedro Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim‐Ferraz; Fernando Martins; Catarina Ferraz; Luísa G. Vaz; Sofia I. V. Sousa. Asthma in urban and rural pre‐ and primary schoolchildren according to the latest GINA definition. Allergy 2020, 75, 1771 -1776.

AMA Style

Pedro Branco, Maria C. M. Alvim‐Ferraz, Fernando Martins, Catarina Ferraz, Luísa G. Vaz, Sofia I. V. Sousa. Asthma in urban and rural pre‐ and primary schoolchildren according to the latest GINA definition. Allergy. 2020; 75 (7):1771-1776.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim‐Ferraz; Fernando Martins; Catarina Ferraz; Luísa G. Vaz; Sofia I. V. Sousa. 2020. "Asthma in urban and rural pre‐ and primary schoolchildren according to the latest GINA definition." Allergy 75, no. 7: 1771-1776.

Proceedings article
Published: 04 September 2019 in Air Pollution XXVII
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Juliana P. Sá; Pedro Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; Sofia Sousa. CHILDREN’S EXPOSURE TO INDOOR AIR IN SCHOOLS: IMPACT ON WHEEZING. Air Pollution XXVII 2019, 1 .

AMA Style

Juliana P. Sá, Pedro Branco, Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, Sofia Sousa. CHILDREN’S EXPOSURE TO INDOOR AIR IN SCHOOLS: IMPACT ON WHEEZING. Air Pollution XXVII. 2019; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Juliana P. Sá; Pedro Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; Sofia Sousa. 2019. "CHILDREN’S EXPOSURE TO INDOOR AIR IN SCHOOLS: IMPACT ON WHEEZING." Air Pollution XXVII , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 12 June 2019 in Environmental Research
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Poor indoor air quality can adversely affect children's health, comfort and school performance, but existing literature on quantifying indoor air pollutants (IAP) determinants' in nursery and primary schools is limited. Following previous studies, this study mainly aimed to quantify determinants of selected IAP, in nursery and primary schools from both urban and rural sites, accounting for seasonal variations. In 101 indoor microenvironments (classrooms, bedrooms and canteens) from 25 nursery and primary schools, CO2, CO, HCOH, NO2, O3, total volatile organic compounds, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, total suspended particles (TSP), and meteorological/comfort parameters were continuously sampled (occupancy and background levels), from at least 24 h to 9 consecutive working days (not simultaneously) in each studied room; in some cases weekend was also considered. Children faced thermal discomfort and inadequate humidity, respectively in 60.1% and 44.1% of the studied classrooms. They were also exposed to high levels of IAP, namely PM2.5 and CO2 respectively in 69.0% and 41.3% of the studied classrooms, mostly in urban sites, depending on season and on occupancy and activity patterns (different amongst age groups). As PM2.5 and CO2 were the major concerning IAP, multivariate linear regression models were built to quantify (explained variability and relative importance) their main determinants, in both occupancy and non-occupancy (background) periods. Models for occupancy periods showed higher explained variability (R2 = 0.64, 0.57 and 0.47, respectively, for CO2, PM2.5 and PM10) than for non-occupancy. Besides background concentrations (43.5% of relative importance), relative humidity (21.1%), flooring material (17.0%), heating (6.7%) and age group of the occupants (5.3%), adjusted for season of sampling (6.4%) were predictors in CO2 occupancy model. In the cases of PM2.5 and PM10 occupancy concentrations, besides background concentrations (71.2% and 67.2% of relative importance, respectively for PM2.5 and PM10), type of school management (8.8% and 15.2%) and flooring material (13.9% and 13.9%), adjusted for season of sampling (6.1% and 3.8%), were the main predictors. These findings support the need of mitigation measures to reduce IAP levels, and prevention actions to avoid children's exposure. Reducing the time spent indoors in the same microenvironment by doing more and/or longer breaks, improving ventilation and cleaning actions, and avoiding or making a better maintenance hardwood flooring materials, chalkboard use and VOC emitting materials, are practices that should be implemented and their impacts quantified.

ACS Style

P.T.B.S. Branco; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Quantifying indoor air quality determinants in urban and rural nursery and primary schools. Environmental Research 2019, 176, 108534 .

AMA Style

P.T.B.S. Branco, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, F.G. Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Quantifying indoor air quality determinants in urban and rural nursery and primary schools. Environmental Research. 2019; 176 ():108534.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P.T.B.S. Branco; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2019. "Quantifying indoor air quality determinants in urban and rural nursery and primary schools." Environmental Research 176, no. : 108534.

Journal article
Published: 31 May 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Indoor air pollution mitigation measures are highly important due to the associated health impacts, especially on children, a risk group that spends significant time indoors. Thus, the main goal of the work here reported was the evaluation of mitigation measures implemented in nursery and primary schools to improve air quality. Continuous measurements of CO2, CO, NO2, O3, CH2O, total volatile organic compounds (VOC), PM1, PM2.5, PM10, Total Suspended Particles (TSP) and radon, as well as temperature and relative humidity were performed in two campaigns, before and after the implementation of low-cost mitigation measures. Evaluation of those mitigation measures was performed through the comparison of the concentrations measured in both campaigns. Exceedances to the values set by the national legislation and World Health Organization (WHO) were found for PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and CH2O during both indoor air quality campaigns. Temperature and relative humidity values were also above the ranges recommended by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). In general, pollutant concentrations measured after the implementation of low-cost mitigation measures were significantly lower, mainly for CO2. However, mitigation measures were not always sufficient to decrease the pollutants’ concentrations till values considered safe to protect human health.

ACS Style

Juliana P. Sá; Pedro T. B. S. Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Sofia I. V. Sousa. Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2017, 14, 585 .

AMA Style

Juliana P. Sá, Pedro T. B. S. Branco, Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Sofia I. V. Sousa. Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14 (6):585.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Juliana P. Sá; Pedro T. B. S. Branco; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Sofia I. V. Sousa. 2017. "Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 6: 585.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2016 in Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition)
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P.T.B.S. Branco; R.A.O. Nunes; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; C. Ferraz; L.G. Vaz; S.I.V. Sousa; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz. Asthma prevalence in Portuguese preschool children: The latest scientific evidence. Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition) 2016, 22, 293 -295.

AMA Style

P.T.B.S. Branco, R.A.O. Nunes, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, F.G. Martins, C. Ferraz, L.G. Vaz, S.I.V. Sousa, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz. Asthma prevalence in Portuguese preschool children: The latest scientific evidence. Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition). 2016; 22 (5):293-295.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P.T.B.S. Branco; R.A.O. Nunes; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; C. Ferraz; L.G. Vaz; S.I.V. Sousa; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz. 2016. "Asthma prevalence in Portuguese preschool children: The latest scientific evidence." Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition) 22, no. 5: 293-295.

Journal article
Published: 30 March 2016 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The literature proves an evident association between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer, even at low doses. This study brings a new approach to the study of children’s exposure to radon by aiming to evaluate exposure to indoor radon concentrations in nursery and primary schools from two districts in Portugal (Porto and Bragança), considering different influencing factors (occupation patterns, classroom floor level, year of the buildings’ construction and soil composition of the building site), as well as the comparison with IAQ standard values for health protection. Fifteen nursery and primary schools in the Porto and Bragança districts were considered: five nursery schools for infants and twelve for pre-schoolers (seven different buildings), as well as eight primary schools. Radon measurements were performed continuously. The measured concentrations depended on the building occupation, classroom floor level and year of the buildings’ construction. Although they were in general within the Portuguese legislation for IAQ, exceedances to international standards were found. These results point out the need of assessing indoor radon concentrations not only in primary schools, but also in nursery schools, never performed in Portugal before this study. It is important to extend the study to other microenvironments like homes, and in time to estimate the annual effective dose and to assess lifetime health risks.

ACS Style

Pedro T. B. S. Branco; Rafael A. O. Nunes; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Sofia I. V. Sousa. Children’s Exposure to Radon in Nursery and Primary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2016, 13, 386 .

AMA Style

Pedro T. B. S. Branco, Rafael A. O. Nunes, Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando G. Martins, Sofia I. V. Sousa. Children’s Exposure to Radon in Nursery and Primary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2016; 13 (4):386.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro T. B. S. Branco; Rafael A. O. Nunes; Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando G. Martins; Sofia I. V. Sousa. 2016. "Children’s Exposure to Radon in Nursery and Primary Schools." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13, no. 4: 386.

Journal article
Published: 30 December 2015 in Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition)
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Asthma is the commonest and most important chronic non-infectious disease in childhood and it has become more prevalent in recent years. There is a shortage of studies in relation to early childhood and so, as part of the INAIRCHILD project, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of asthma and its associated risk factors, namely demographic, environmental, psychosocial and clinical factors for infants and preschoolers living in Northern Portugal. Data concerning asthma prevalence were collected through questionnaires based on those from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC-derived), the questionnaires were distributed to 1042 children attending the 17 nurseries involved in the INAIRCHILD project (10 in urban and suburban context, and 7 in rural context). The response rate was 48%. Prevalence of asthma based on symptomatology and odds ratio was calculated. Around 52% of the studied children presented at least one of the respiratory symptoms investigated (wheeze, dyspnea and cough) in the absence of upper respiratory infections. The prevalence of asthma was 10.7%, comparable to the figures for Portuguese schoolchildren (6–7 years old) reported by the national Directorate-General of Health, thus showing that an early diagnosis might be possible and helpful for the mitigation of childhood asthma. Environmental context (urban, suburban or rural), gender and family asthma history showed clear associations with asthma prevalence, namely non-rural location, male gender, and having an asthmatic parent were found to be risk factors.

ACS Style

P.T.B.S. Branco; R.A.O. Nunes; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; C. Ferraz; L.G. Vaz; S.I.V. Sousa. Asthma prevalence and risk factors in early childhood at Northern Portugal. Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition) 2015, 22, 146 -150.

AMA Style

P.T.B.S. Branco, R.A.O. Nunes, M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz, F.G. Martins, C. Ferraz, L.G. Vaz, S.I.V. Sousa. Asthma prevalence and risk factors in early childhood at Northern Portugal. Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition). 2015; 22 (3):146-150.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P.T.B.S. Branco; R.A.O. Nunes; M.C.M. Alvim-Ferraz; F.G. Martins; C. Ferraz; L.G. Vaz; S.I.V. Sousa. 2015. "Asthma prevalence and risk factors in early childhood at Northern Portugal." Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition) 22, no. 3: 146-150.

Journal article
Published: 05 September 2015 in Environmental Research
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This study, Part II of the larger study “Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries”, aimed to: (i) evaluate nursery schools' indoor concentrations of several air pollutants in class and lunch rooms; and (ii) analyse them according to guidelines and references. Indoor continuous measurements were performed, and outdoor concentrations were obtained to determine indoor/outdoor ratios. The influence of outdoor air seemed to be determinant on carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) indoor concentrations. The peak concentrations of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) registered (highest concentrations of 204 and 2320 µg m−3 respectively), indicated the presence of specific indoor sources of these pollutants, namely materials emitting formaldehyde and products emitting VOC associated to cleaning and children's specific activities (like paints and glues). For formaldehyde, baseline constant concentrations along the day were also found in some of the studied rooms, which enhances the importance of detailing the study of children’s short and long-term exposure to this indoor air pollutant. While CO, NO2 and O3 never exceeded the national and international reference values for IAQ and health protection, exceedances were found for formaldehyde and VOC. For this reason, a health risk assessment approach could be interesting for future research to assess children’s health risks of exposure to formaldehyde and to VOC concentrations in nursery schools. Changing cleaning schedules and materials emitting formaldehyde, and more efficient ventilation while using products emitting VOC, with the correct amount and distribution of fresh air, would decrease children's exposure.

ACS Style

Pedro Branco; Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries – Part II: Gaseous pollutants' assessment. Environmental Research 2015, 142, 662 -670.

AMA Style

Pedro Branco, Rafael António Oliveira Nunes, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries – Part II: Gaseous pollutants' assessment. Environmental Research. 2015; 142 ():662-670.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro Branco; Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2015. "Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries – Part II: Gaseous pollutants' assessment." Environmental Research 142, no. : 662-670.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2015 in Environmental Pollution
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Indoor air quality in nursery schools is different from other schools and this has been largely ignored, particularly in rural areas. Urban and rural nursery schools have different environmental characteristics whose knowledge needs improvement. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate continuously the concentrations of CO2, CO, NO2, O3, CH2O and total VOC in three rural nursery schools and one urban, being the only one comparing urban and rural nurseries with continuous measurements, thus considering occupation and non-occupation periods. Regarding CO2, urban nursery recorded higher concentrations (739–2328 mg m−3) than rural nurseries (653–1078 mg m−3). The influence of outdoor air was the main source of CO, NO2 and O3 indoor concentrations. CO and NO2 concentrations were higher in the urban nursery and O3 concentrations were higher in rural ones. CH2O and TVOC concentrations seemed to be related to internal sources, such as furniture and flooring finishing and cleaning products.

ACS Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Gaseous pollutants on rural and urban nursery schools in Northern Portugal. Environmental Pollution 2015, 208, 2 -15.

AMA Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes, Pedro Branco, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Gaseous pollutants on rural and urban nursery schools in Northern Portugal. Environmental Pollution. 2015; 208 ():2-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2015. "Gaseous pollutants on rural and urban nursery schools in Northern Portugal." Environmental Pollution 208, no. : 2-15.

Original articles
Published: 13 July 2015 in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A
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Lung cancer has been associated with radon concentration even at low levels such as those found in dwellings. This study aimed to (i) determine radon diurnal variations in three nurseries and one primary school in the Bragança district (north of Portugal) and (ii) compare radon concentrations with legislated standards and assess the legislated procedures. Radon was measured in three nurseries and a primary school in a rural area with nongranite soil. Measurements were performed continuously to examine differences between occupation and nonoccupation periods. Indoor temperature and relative humidity were also measured continuously. A great variability was found in radon concentrations between the microenvironments examined. Radon concentrations surpassed by severalfold the recommended guidelines and thresholds, and excessive levels of health concern were sporadically found (361.5–753.5 Bq m−3). Thus, it is of importance to perform a national campaign on radon measurements and to reduce exposure.

ACS Style

S. I. V. Sousa; P. T. B. S. Branco; R. A. O. Nunes; M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; F. G. Martins. Radon Levels in Nurseries and Primary Schools inBragançaDistrict—Preliminary Assessment. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 2015, 78, 805 -813.

AMA Style

S. I. V. Sousa, P. T. B. S. Branco, R. A. O. Nunes, M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, F. G. Martins. Radon Levels in Nurseries and Primary Schools inBragançaDistrict—Preliminary Assessment. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A. 2015; 78 (13):805-813.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. I. V. Sousa; P. T. B. S. Branco; R. A. O. Nunes; M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz; F. G. Martins. 2015. "Radon Levels in Nurseries and Primary Schools inBragançaDistrict—Preliminary Assessment." Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 78, no. 13: 805-813.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2015 in Environmental Research
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Indoor air quality (IAQ) in nurseries is an emerging case-study. Thus, this study, as the Part I of the larger study "Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries", aimed to: i) evaluate nurseries' indoor concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), a global IAQ indicator, in class and lunch rooms; ii) assess indoor comfort parameters-temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH); and iii) analyse them according to guidelines and references for IAQ, comfort and children's health. Indoor continuous measurements were performed. Non-compliances with guidelines were found in comfort parameters, which could cause discomfort situations and also microbial proliferation. Exceedances in CO2 concentrations were also found and they were caused by poor ventilation and high classroom occupation. More efficient ventilation and control of comfort parameters, as well as to reduce occupation by reviewing Portuguese legislation on that matter, would certainly improve IAQ and comfort in nurseries and consequently safeguard children's health.

ACS Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries-part I: CO2 and comfort assessment. Environmental Research 2015, 140, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Pedro Branco, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries-part I: CO2 and comfort assessment. Environmental Research. 2015; 140 ():1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2015. "Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries-part I: CO2 and comfort assessment." Environmental Research 140, no. : 1-9.

Journal article
Published: 17 March 2015 in Environmental Pollution
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Studies have been showing strong associations between exposures to indoor particulate matter (PM) and health effects on children. Urban and rural nursery schools have different known environmental and social differences which make their study relevant. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate indoor PM concentrations on different microenvironments of three rural nursery schools and one urban nursery school, being the only study comparing urban and rural nursery schools considering the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 fractions (measured continuously and in terms of mass). Outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 were also obtained and I/O ratios have been determined. Indoor PM mean concentrations were higher in the urban nursery than in rural ones, which might have been related to traffic emissions. However, I/O ratios allowed concluding that the recorded concentrations depended more significantly of indoor sources. WHO guidelines and Portuguese legislation exceedances for PM2.5 and PM10 were observed mainly in the urban nursery school.

ACS Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Particulate matter in rural and urban nursery schools in Portugal. Environmental Pollution 2015, 202, 7 -16.

AMA Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes, Pedro Branco, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Particulate matter in rural and urban nursery schools in Portugal. Environmental Pollution. 2015; 202 ():7-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rafael António Oliveira Nunes; Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2015. "Particulate matter in rural and urban nursery schools in Portugal." Environmental Pollution 202, no. : 7-16.

Review
Published: 01 November 2014 in Environmental Research
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Exposures to a wide spectrum of air pollutants were associated to several effects on children's health. Exposure assessment can be used to establish where and how air pollutants' exposures occur. However, a realistic estimation of children's exposures to air pollution is usually a great ethics challenge, especially for young children, because they cannot intentionally be exposed to contaminants and according to Helsinki declaration, they are not old enough to make a decision on their participation. Additionally, using adult surrogates introduces bias, since time-space-activity patterns are different from those of children. From all the different available approaches for exposure assessment, the microenvironmental (ME) modelling (indirect approach, where personal exposures are estimated or predicted from microenvironment measurements combined with time-activity data) seemed to be the best to assess children's exposure to air pollution as it takes into account the varying levels of pollution to which an individual is exposed during the course of the day, it is faster and less expensive. Thus, this review aimed to explore the use of the ME modelling approach methodology to assess children's exposure to air pollution. To meet this goal, a total of 152 articles, published since 2002, were identified and titles and abstracts were scanned for relevance. After exclusions, 26 articles were fully reviewed and main characteristics were detailed, namely: (i) study design and outcomes, including location, study population, calendar time, pollutants analysed and purpose; and (ii) data collection, including time-activity patterns (methods of collection, record time and key elements) and pollution measurements (microenvironments, methods of collection and duration and time resolution). The reviewed studies were from different parts of the world, confirming the worldwide application, and mostly cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies were also found enhancing the applicability of this approach. The application of this methodology on children is different from that on adults because of data collection, namely the methods used for collecting time-activity patterns must be different and the time-activity patterns are itself different, which leads to select different microenvironments to the data collection of pollutants' concentrations. The most used methods to gather information on time-activity patterns were questionnaires and diaries, and the main microenvironments considered were home and school (indoors and outdoors). Although the ME modelling approach in studies to assess children's exposure to air pollution is highly encouraged, a validation process is needed, due to the uncertainties associated with the application of this approach.

ACS Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. The microenvironmental modelling approach to assess children's exposure to air pollution – A review. Environmental Research 2014, 135, 317 -332.

AMA Style

Pedro Branco, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. The microenvironmental modelling approach to assess children's exposure to air pollution – A review. Environmental Research. 2014; 135 ():317-332.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2014. "The microenvironmental modelling approach to assess children's exposure to air pollution – A review." Environmental Research 135, no. : 317-332.

Journal article
Published: 23 November 2013 in Atmospheric Environment
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Indoor air quality in nurseries is an interesting case of study mainly due to children's high vulnerability to exposure to air pollution (with special attention to younger ones), and because nursery is the public environment where young children spend most of their time. Particulate matter (PM) constitutes one of the air pollutants with greater interest. In fact, it can cause acute effects on children's health, as well as may contribute to the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma. Thus, the main objectives of this study were: i) to evaluate indoor concentrations of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and PMTotal) on different indoor microenvironments in urban nurseries of Porto city; and ii) to analyse those concentrations according to guidelines and references for indoor air quality and children's health. Indoor PM measurements were performed in several class and lunch rooms in three nurseries on weekdays and weekends. Outdoor PM10 concentrations were also obtained to determine I/O ratios. PM concentrations were often found high in the studied classrooms, especially for the finer fractions, reaching maxima hourly mean concentrations of 145 μg m−3 for PM1 and 158 μg m−3 PM2.5, being often above the limits recommended by WHO, reaching 80% of exceedances for PM2.5, which is concerning in terms of exposure effects on children's health. Mean I/O ratios were always above 1 and most times above 2 showing that indoor sources (re-suspension phenomena due to children's activities, cleaning and cooking) were clearly the main contributors to indoor PM concentrations when compared with the outdoor influence. Though, poor ventilation to outdoors in classrooms affected indoor air quality by increasing the PM accumulation. So, enhancing air renovation rate and performing cleaning activities after the occupancy period could be good practices to reduce PM indoor air concentrations in nurseries and, consequently, to improve children's health and welfare.

ACS Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. Indoor air quality in urban nurseries at Porto city: Particulate matter assessment. Atmospheric Environment 2013, 84, 133 -143.

AMA Style

Pedro Branco, Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz, Fernando Martins, S.I.V. Sousa. Indoor air quality in urban nurseries at Porto city: Particulate matter assessment. Atmospheric Environment. 2013; 84 ():133-143.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pedro Branco; Maria Da Conceição Alvim-Ferraz; Fernando Martins; S.I.V. Sousa. 2013. "Indoor air quality in urban nurseries at Porto city: Particulate matter assessment." Atmospheric Environment 84, no. : 133-143.