Browsing by Author "Pereira, M.C."
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- Effect of individual's characteristics on volatile organic compoounds profile analysed by an electronic nosePublication . Slezakova, Klara; Cavaleiro-Rufo, J.; Esteves, F.; Costa, D.; Pereira, M.C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Madureira, J.Breath analysis using an electronic nose (eNose) is a technology for exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that has shown potential in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. However, the effect of an individual’s characteristics in the exhaled VOCs profile is far from fully understood. This pilot study aimed to identify the relevant characteristics of participants that may influence the VOCs profiles by the eNose. The study population consisted of 91 volunteers (57.1% males) with an average age of 38 years, randomly recruited among nonexposed individuals to VOCs in Porto, Portugal. Exhaled breath air samples were analysed using the Cyranose® 320. Physiological (e.g. height, weight) and sociodemographic characteristics, behavioural patterns, and occupational/environmental exposures were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Other data (e.g. type of consumed food, liquids and oral hygiene) was recorded via face-to-face interviews. Results showed that exhaled VOCs profiles are influenced by water intake prior to breath sample air collection. It is suggested that individuals should abstain from drinking water for 2.5 h before VOC analysis. This work will support other ongoing research in occupational exposure scenarios, such as forest firefighters’, to further the understanding of this under-explored scientific area, since we hypothesise that VOCs patterns will differ between persons occupationally exposed to VOCs and those unexposed.
- Exposure to emissions from cleaning products in primary schools: a test chamber studyPublication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, J.; Paciência, I.; Sousa, J.; Oliveira Fernandes, E.; Slezakova, K.; Pereira, M.C.; Aguiar, L.; Teixeira, J.P.; Pinto, M.; Delgado, L.; Moreira, A.The aim of this study was to investigate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from floor cleaning products (FCPs) used in primary schools and compare them with emissions from a previously recognised low-emitting product (control sample). Samples of FCPs used in 3 primary schools and a control sample were collected and subsequently examined in a test chamber. Measurements were performed at t = 0, 60, 120, 240 and 480 min after application. The analysis was performed by GC-MS. The results showed that VOC emissions were higher during t = 0 than in the subsequent measurements, with the exception of benzaldehyde and benzene, being significant for toluene and m/p-xylene. VOC emissions from the control FCP were not significantly lower than the schools FCPs. To prevent the exposure of children to VOCs, the school cleaning should be performed at the end of the classes.
- Firefighters’ occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at Portuguese fire stationsPublication . Oliveira, M.; Slezakova, K.; Alves, M.J.; Fernandes, A.; Teixeira, J.P.; Delerue- Matos, C.; Pereira, M.C.; Morais, S.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most relevant pollutants due to their toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties. Although scarce information exists regarding firefighters’ exposure to PAHs, there is a great gap of knowledge regarding this topic. Thus the aim of this study was to assess firefighters’ personal exposure to PAHs during regular work shifts at fire stations, with emphasis on carcinogenic compounds and potential heath risks.
- Occupational Exposure of Firefighters in Non-fire SettingsPublication . Slezakova, K.; Esteves, F.; Vaz, J.; Alves, M.J.; Madureira, J.; Costa, S.; Fernandes, A.; Teixeira, João Paulo; Morais, S.; Pereira, M.C.Freshwater pollution is a huge concern. A study aiming to evaluate physico-chemical characteristics, microbiota, occurrence of two groups of persistent environmental pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons- PAHs and microplastics - MPs) in Alqueva's surface water was performed during 2021.
- Urinary biomonitoring in firefighters: baseline data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolitesPublication . Barros, B.; Oliveira, M.; Paiva, M.; Fernandes, A.; Alves, S.; Vaz, J.; Esteves, F.; Slezakova, K.; Alves, M.J.; Madureira, J.; Pereira, M.C.; Morais, S.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most relevant pollutants in the firefighting context and urine the most straightforward and interesting matrix for biomonitoring. Recent studies have found elevated levels of PAH metabolites in firefighters in comparison to the general population. Since Portuguese firefighters are poorly characterized, the aim of this study was to determine the baseline data (i.e., with no recent exposure to fire emissions) of several urinary monohydroxyl-PAHs (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1- hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) in this occupational group. A total of 106 Portuguese firefighters were enrolled in this study and characterized through a previously validated questionnaire. Individual OHPAHs were detected with a frequency of 90-99%, except for 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs) that was not identified. The individual levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (the established biomarker for PAHs exposure) were lower than the recommended biological exposure limit proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (0.93 µmol/mol creatinine). This study characterized the baseline data of PAHs exposure in Portuguese firefighters by urinary biomonitoring, which enables comparison with occupational studies from other countries and contributes to fill a research gap in Portugal
- Wildland firefighters: DNA damage and oxidative stress assessmentPublication . Abreu, A.; Duarte, A.; Silva, S.; Morais, S.; Pereira, M.C.; Fernandes, A.; Teixeira, J.P.; Costa, S.Portugal is a high risk country for forest fires. In 2013 alone, Portugal forests accounted for more than 50% of the total burned area of Southern Europe. Portuguese firefighting is supported by a human force of 30.000 firefighters. Firefighters are often exposed to many toxic combustion products, including known carcinogens (benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls, particulate matter). IARC classifies firefighting (or occupational exposure as firefighters) as possible carcinogenic to humans (Group 2b). Epidemiological studies suggest that firefighters have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and various types of cancer. Biomonitoring data are limited, inconsistent and inconclusive. Genotoxicity evaluation is a valuable tool for studying the most important occupational hazards allowing a reasonable epidemiological evaluation of cancer prediction. The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA damage, total and oxidative, in Portuguese wildland firefighters when compared with the general population.