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Browsing by Author "Alves, Marta"

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  • Assessment of Indoor Environmental Quality in Elderly Care Centers
    Publication . Cano, Manuela; Nogueira, Susana; Alves, Marta; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Aguiar, Fátima; Rosa, Nuno; Brás, Maria Clementina; Quintas, Maria Carmo; Pinhal, Hermínia; Nogueira, Ana; Proença, Carmo; Teixeira, João P.
    The aim of this study was to characterize indoor environmental quality in a representative sample of Elderly Care Centers (ECC) in order to associate it with ventilation, health and comfort of elderly people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters and thermal comfort were measured twice, during winter and spring/summer seasons, from 18 Elderly Care Centers (ECC) located in Lisbon, with a total of 116 rooms evaluated. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were monitored during occupation periods using the Indoor Air Quality Meter (TSI, model 7545, USA). Formaldehyde was collected by active sampling on impingers, using personal pumps at an airflow of 1L/min and analyzed according to NIOSH 3500 method, using visible spectrometry (UV4, UNICAM). PM10 and PM2,5 were collected by active sampling on pre-weighted PTFE filters mounted on PM10 and PM2,5 collectors (PEM, SKC), using personal pumps operating at 2L/min, followed by gravimetric analysis for particle mass according to the method IP-10A by SKC (2004). Duplicate samples of total volatile organic compounds were collected on TENAX Tubes (Ref. 25054, Supelco) using SKC personal pumps calibrated to 0.05 L/min and analyzed after thermal desorption according to ISO 16000-part 6 using gas chromatography. Duplicate samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected using the Microbiological Air Sampler (Merck) and TSA, McK and MEA for total bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, respectively. Whole-body thermal comfort evaluation was based on PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) indices, according to the ISO 7730:2005. Considering the obtained results for environmental indoor quality it is possible to conclude that thermal comfort was not reached in more than 30% of the rooms. In winter, carbon dioxide concentrations were above the reference in 20% of the rooms. PM10 and PM2,5 mean concentrations were above the reference levels in approximately 25% and 30% of the rooms, respectively. Microbiological contamination (total bacteria and fungi) was above the reference levels in more than 35% of the rooms. Indoor environmental quality should be improved by controlling contamination sources, ventilation and thermal parameters (or clothing) in order to obtain healthier environments for the elderly.
    2016-06-21Conference object Restricted access Show more
  • Avaliação da qualidade do ar interior em lares de idosos, 2013-2014: projeto GERIA
    Publication . Cano, Manuela; Nogueira, Susana; Alves, Marta; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Aguiar, Fátima; Rosa, Nuno; Brás, Maria Clementina; Quintas, Maria do Carmo; Pinhal, Hermínia; Nogueira, Ana; Proença, Carmo; Teixeira, João Paulo
    O risco da população idosa desenvolver efeitos adversos em virtude da exposição a contaminantes químicos e microbiológicos do ar interior é mais elevado tanto pelo facto do seu sistema imunitário ser mais débil, como por este grupo etário permanecer no interior de edifícios por períodos mais longos. O objetivo deste estudo foi a caraterização da qualidade do ar interior numa amostra representativa de lares de idosos de modo a estudar a sua relação com a ventilação dos locais e a saúde/qualidade de vida dos utentes. O estudo apresentado incidiu sobre a avaliação da qualidade do ar interior em 18 lares de idosos situados em Lisboa (116 locais avaliados), em duas campanhas, uma no inverno e outra na primavera/verão e incluiu a avaliação de contaminação do ar por agentes químicos - dióxido de carbono (CO2 ), monóxido de carbono (CO), formaldeído (HCHO), compostos orgânicos voláteis totais (COVT), PM10 e PM2,5; por agentes microbiológicos – bactérias e fungos. Os resultados indicam que, de um modo geral a contaminação do ar por compostos orgânicos voláteis totais e formaldeído é baixa. Contudo, os valores de referência são excedidos para o dióxido de carbono, microrganismos e as partículas em 20%, 35% e 25-30% dos locais estudados respetivamente. Assim, há que identificar as fontes de contaminação do ar por partículas por forma e reduzir os efeitos adversos associados à exposição e melhorar a ventilação dos lares, particularmente no inverno, por forma a conseguir ambientes interiores mais saudáveis.
    2016-11Journal article Open access Show more
  • Avaliação de idosos institucionalizados por espirometria e condensado brônquico do ar exalado: efeitos da exposição ambiental
    Publication . Belo, Joana; Carreiro-Martins, Pedro; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Palmeiro, Teresa; Caires, Iolanda; Alves, Marta; Nogueira, Susana; Aguiar, Fátima; Mendes, Ana; Cano, Manuela; Botelho, Maria A.; Neuparth, Nuno
    No estudo geriátrico dos efeitos na saúde da qualidade do ar interior em lares da 3.ª idade de Portugal (GERIA) foi estabelecido como objetivo principal de estudar os efeitos da qualidade do ar interior (IAQ) de equipamentos residenciais para pessoas idosos (ERPI) na saúde respiratória de idosos institucionalizados. Um total de 269 idosos responderam a um questionário elaborado pela equipa de investigadores do projeto GERIA, realizaram uma espirometria e a 150 idosos foi recolhida uma amostra de condensado brônquico exalado (EBC), para análise do respetivo pH e concentração de nitritos. Em relação aos dados sociodemográficos destaca se uma média de idade de 81,9±7,5 anos e uma maioria (70,6%) de idosos do sexo feminino. Relativamente aos resultados da espirometria, observou se que 14,5% apresentaram uma obstrução das vias aéreas. Os valores medianos das concentrações dos poluentes ambientais não revelaram uma concentração acima do referencial de segurança, porém foram observados valores máximos elevados e acima desse referencial. Da análise multivariada verificou se que cada incremento de 100 µg/m3 nos compostos orgânicos voláteis (TVOCS) se encontrava associado positiva mente a possibilidade acrescida dos idosos terem reportado infeção respiratória nos últimos três meses (=1.05; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.09). Verificou se que o valor do pH diminuía com uma maior exposição a PM2,5 (= 0.04, 95%: 0.06 to 0.01e por cada aumento de 10 µg/m3). No que concerne à exposição a bactérias, verificou se que esta se associava positivamente à possibilidade dos idosos terem uma FVC diminuída (= 0,53, 95%: 0,87 a 0,20) e uma relação FEV1 /FVC aumentada (=0,22, 95%:0,08 a 0,37)
    2022-06Journal article Open access Show more
  • Environment and Health in Children Day Care Centres
    Publication . Neuparth, Nuno; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Aelenei, Daniel; Cano, Manuela; Paixão, Paulo; Viegas, João; Martins, Pedro; Araújo Martins, José; Leiria Pinto, Paula; Caires, Iolanda; Pedro, Catarina; Nogueira, Susana; Mendes, Ana; Aguiar, Fátima; Teixeira, João Paulo; Proença, Carmo; Piedade, Cátia; Santos, Madalena; Silvestre, Maria José; Brum, Laura; Nunes, Baltazar; Guiomar, Raquel; Curran, Martin D.; Carvalho, Ana; Marques, Teresa; Virella, Daniel; Alves, Marta; Marques, João; Rosado-Pinto, José; Neuparth, Nuno; Aelenei,Daniel; Caires, Iolanda; Teixeira, João Paulo; Viegas, João; Cano, Manuela; Pinto, Paula Leiria
    This project addresses a set of common clinical problems in the context of children attending day care centres. It is common sense that children get sick more often as soon as they start attending a day care centre on a daily basis and this is particularly true for some groups at risk, as wheezing infants and wheezing pre-school children. Concerning this, some questions remain unclear: 1. The role of indoor air quality - what is the health impact of indoor air environment (including indoor pollutants, house dust mite, temperature and humidity) in wheezing children? 2. The role of virus infections - We don’t know the real role of virus infections in respiratory conditions at day care centre level. There is a lack of information concerning how indoor air environment influence virus infections. 3. The role of building ventilation - what is the impact of building ventilation in the health of wheezing and non-wheezing children? How is ventilation affecting indoor air quality? How is ventilation of day care centres affected by the structure of the buildings? 4. Social impact of this study - what should be the recommendations to improve IAQ? What is new in this project is the collaboration of a health team (medical doctors and other health professionals) with environment specialists, mechanical, civil engineers, epidemiologists and statisticians.
    2013-09Book Open access Show more
  • Respiratory infections in elderly people: Viral role in a resident population of elderly care centers in Lisbon, winter 2013-2014
    Publication . Chasqueira, Maria-Jesus; Paixão, Paulo; Rodrigues, Maria-Lúcia; Piedade, Cátia; Caires, Iolanda; Palmeiro, Teresa; Botelho, Maria-Amalia; Santos, Madalena; Curran, Martin; Guiomar, Raquel; Pechirra, Pedro; Costa, Inês; Papoila, Ana; Alves, Marta; Neuparth, Nuno
    Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology and clinical consequences of viral respiratory infections in 18 elderly care centers (ECC) in Lisbon, which housed a total of 1022 residents. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected whenever an elderly had symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI). PCR and RT-PCR were performed for influenza A/B, human parainfluenza virus 1–4, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, enterovirus, human coronavirus and human Bocavirus (HBoV). Array cards for atypical bacteria were also used in severe cases. Results: In total, 188 episodes of ARI were reported, being rhinovirus the most frequently detected (n = 53), followed by influenza A(H3) (n = 19) and HBoV (n = 14). Severe infections were reported in 19 patients, 11 of which were fatal, Legionela pneumophila, rhinovirus, HMPV and RSV associated with these fatalities. Nine influenza strains were analyzed, all antigenically dissimilar from vaccine strain 2013/14. “Age”, “HMPV” and “Respiratory disease” showed an association with severe infection. Conclusions: In this study an etiologic agent could be found in 60% of the acute respiratory episodes. These data provides information about the circulating viruses in ECC and highlights the importance of searching both viruses and atypical bacteria in severe ARI.
    2018-04Journal article Open access Show more
  • The impact of indoor air quality on respiratory health of older people living in nursing homes: spirometric and exhaled breath condensate assessments
    Publication . Belo, Joana; Carreiro-Martins, Pedro; Papoila, Ana L.; Palmeiro, Teresa; Caires, Iolanda; Alves, Marta; Nogueira, Susana; Aguiar, Fátima; Mendes, Ana; Cano, Manuela; Botelho, Maria A.; Neuparth, Nuno
    In the Portuguese Geriatric Study of the Health Effects of Indoor Air Quality in Senior Nursing Homes, we aimed to evaluate the impact of indoor air contaminants on the respiratory symptoms and biomarkers in a sample of elderly living in nursing homes. A total of 269 elderly answered a health questionnaire, performed a spirometry and 150 out of these collected an exhaled breath condensate sample for pH and nitrites analysis. The study included the evaluation of indoor chemical and microbiological contaminants. The median age of the participants was 84 (78-87) years and 70.6% were women. The spirometric data indicated the presence of airway obstruction in 14.5% of the sample. Median concentrations of air pollutants did not exceed the existing standards, although increased peak values were observed. In the multivariable analysis, each increment of 100 µg/m3 of total volatile organic compounds was associated with the odds of respiratory infection in the previous three months ( OR̂ =1.05; 95% CI: 1.00-1.09). PM2.5 concentrations were inversely associated with pH values ( β̂ = -0.04, 95%: -0.06 to -0.01, for each increment of 10 µg/m3). Additionally, a direct and an inverse association were found between total bacteria and FEV1/FVC and FVC, respectively.
    2019-07-05Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Volatile organic compounds in day care centers constitute a risk factor for absence due to weezing
    Publication . Carreiro-Martins, Pedro; Papoila, Ana Luísa; Alves, Marta; Caires, Iolanda; Pedro, Catarina; Manilha, Maria do Carmo; Cano, Maria Manuela; Teixeira, João Paulo; Virella, Daniel; Leiria-Pinto, Paula; Rosado-Pinto, José; Neuparth, Nuno
    2013-03Conference object Open access Show more