Browsing by Author "Pastorinho, M.R."
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- Biomonitoring of several toxic metal(loid)s in different biological matrices from environmentally and occupationally exposed populations from Panasqueira mine area, PortugalPublication . Coelho, P.; Costa, S.; Costa, C.; Silva, S.; Walter, A.; Ranville, J.; Pastorinho, M.R.; Harrington, C.; Taylor, A.; Dall'Armi, V.; Zoffoli, R.; Candeias, C.; da Silva, E.F.; Bonassi, S.; Laffon, B.; Teixeira, João PauloIn the Panasqueira mine area of central Portugal, some environmental media show higher metal(loid) concentrations when compared with the local geochemical background and the values proposed in the literature for these environmental media. In order to evaluate the effect of the external contamination on selected indexes of internal dose, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Se, Si, and Zn were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry in blood, urine, hair and nail samples from individuals environmentally (N = 41) and occupationally exposed (N = 41). A matched control group (N = 40) was also studied, and data from the three groups were compared. Results obtained agreed with those reported by environmental studies performed in this area, pointing to populations living nearby and working in the mine being exposed to metal(loid)s originated from mining activities. Arsenic was the element with the highest increase in exposed populations. The concentration of other elements such as Cr, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Se, and Zn was also increased, although at a lesser extent, specifically in the individuals environmentally exposed and in females. These findings confirm the need for competent authorities to act as soon as possible in this area and implement strategies aimed to protect exposed populations and the entire ecosystem.
- Fungal communities in house dust samples from patients with asthma: preliminary resultsPublication . Amaro, R.; Coelho, S.D.; Teixeira, J. P.; Pereira, C.C.; Pastorinho, M.R.; Taborda-Barata, L.; Sousa, A.C.A.People spend about 90% of their time indoors, being exposed to a large number of indoor contaminants, including fungi. Some fungi are associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including the risk of asthma onset or exacerbation. Many studies support this fact, showing associations between the exposure to indoor damp and mould and the risk of asthma.
- House dust fungal communities’ characterization: a double take on the six by sixty by six project (6x60x6)Publication . Amaro, R.; Coelho, S.D.; Pastorinho, M.R.; Taborda-Barata, L.; Vaz-Patto, M.A.; Monteiro, M.; Nepomuceno, M.; Lanzinha, J.C.G.; Teixeira, J.P.; Pereira, C.C.; Sousa, A.C.A.Fungi are a group microbes, that are found with particular incidence in the indoor environment. Their direct toxicity or capability of generating toxic compounds has been associated with a large number of adverse health effects, such as infectious diseases, allergies and other toxic effects. Our study aims to quantify and identify the fungal community on house dust samples collected using two different methodologies (an approach not often seen in the literature): active (vacuum cleaner bags) and passive sampling (dust settled in petri dishes).
- Issue 1 - “Update on adverse respiratory effects of outdoor air pollution” Part 2): Outdoor air pollution and respiratory diseases: Perspectives from Angola, Brazil, Canada, Iran, Mozambique and PortugalPublication . Sousa, A.C.; Pastorinho, M.R.; Masjedi, M.R.; Urrutia-Pereira, M.; Arrais, M.; Nunes, E.; To, T.; Ferreira, A.J.; Robalo-Cordeiro, C.; Borrego, C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Taborda-Barata, L.Objective: To analyse the GARD perspective on the health effects of outdoor air pollution, and to synthesise the Portuguese epidemiological contribution to knowledge on its respiratory impact. Results: Ambient air pollution has deleterious respiratory effects which are more apparent in larger, densely populated and industrialised countries, such as Canada, Iran, Brazil and Portugal, but it also affects people living in low-level exposure areas. While low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are particularly affected, evidence based on epidemiological studies from LMICs is both limited and heterogeneous. While nationally, Portugal has a relatively low level of air pollution, many major cities face with substantial air pollution problems. Time series and cross-sectional epidemiological studies have suggested increased respiratory hospital admissions, and increased risk of respiratory diseases in people who live in urban areas and are exposed to even a relatively low level of air pollution. Conclusions: Adverse respiratory effects due to air pollution, even at low levels, have been confirmed by epidemiological studies. However, evidence from LMICs is heterogeneous and relatively limited. Furthermore, longitudinal cohort studies designed to study and quantify the link between exposure to air pollutants and respiratory diseases are needed. Worldwide, an integrated approach must involve multi-level stakeholders including governments (in Portugal, the Portuguese Ministry of Health, which hosts GARD-Portugal), academia, health professionals, scientific societies, patient associations and the community at large. Such an approach not only will garner a robust commitment, establish strong advocacy and clear objectives, and raise greater awareness, it will also support a strategy with adequate measures to be implemented to achieve better air quality and reduce the burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs).
- microRESPIRA: Microbial community in houses from patients with chronic respiratory diseases in EstarrejaPublication . Sousa, A.C.A.; Henriques, I.; Amaro, R.; Coelho, S.D.; Maricoto, T.; Pereira, C.C.; Silva, T.; Taborda-Barata, L.; Teixeira, J.P.; Valente, C.; Pastorinho, M.R.Main goal: To provide a global picture on the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Estarreja and to characterize, for the 1st time, the indoor microbiome (fungi and bacteria).