Efeito de política pública de restrição ao tráfego de veículos pesados na qualidade do ar do município de São Paulo: estudo de caso / Effect of public policy to restrict heavy vehicle traffic on air quality in the city of São Paulo: case study

Os veículos automotores movidos a diesel, classificados como fontes móveis, são importantes emissores de poluentes atmosféricos. As principais emissões associadas aos veículos diesel são o Material Particulado (MP), óxidos de nitrogênio (NOx) e dióxido de enxofre (SO2). Ao longo dos anos, normas legais foram estabelecidas e medidas foram implementadas para diminuição de congestionamentos na cidade que se refletem na diminuição de emissões veiculares. Entre elas estão as medidas restritivas à circulação de veículos nos centros urbanos. Dentre as medidas adotadas na cidade de São Paulo, este trabalho considerou, como estudo de caso, o volume de tráfego de caminhões na Av. dos Bandeirantes de 2005 a 2010 e o período de maior restrição ao tráfego de caminhões de 2010 a 2015, de acordo com a Portaria da Secretaria Municipal de Transportes - SMT nº 84 de 24 de agosto de 2010 e sua influência na qualidade do ar. Na análise dos dados foi utilizada estatística descritiva e análise de correlação e de regressão entre o fluxo de veículos e os dados de qualidade do ar, tendo sido gerados gráficos de dispersão e determinada a correlação, coeficiente de correlação r e valor p, para nível de confiança 95%, entre poluentes e volume de tráfego, de acordo com os sentidos da via e períodos do dia, manhã e tarde. Observou-se diminuição da concentração no ar dos poluentes analisados, MP10, NOx e SO2, de acordo com os dados obtidos no período anterior e posterior à Portaria 84. Os resultados apresentaram correlação positiva estatisticamente significante, com menor concentração de poluentes relacionada com menor número de caminhões trafegando na via. Isto mostra que maiores volumes de caminhões circulando em determinadas vias da cidade aumenta significativamente as concentrações de MP10, NOx e SO2 no ar. Em relação ao MP2,5 não foram obtidas correlações com significância estatística, provavelmente devido ao menor período de coleta dos dados, apresentando número de observações menor em relação aos outros poluentes. Com este estudo conclui-se que algumas medidas de restrição à circulação de veículos, além de reduzir congestionamentos, são relevantes para diminuição da concentração de poluentes no ar em áreas próximas a importantes vias de tráfego da cidade. Portanto, a implementação de outras áreas de restrição à circulação de caminhões no município de São Paulo, em vias próximas a áreas residenciais, e que apresentam grande fluxo de caminhões, serão benéficas para melhoria da qualidade do ar na cidade.

Diesel-powered motor vehicles, classified as mobile sources, are important emitters of atmospheric pollutants. The main emissions associated with diesel vehicles are Particulate Matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Over the years, legal norms have been established and measures have been implemented to reduce congestion in the city that are reflected in the reduction of vehicular emissions. Among them are measures restricting vehicle circulation in urban centres. Among the measures adopted in the city of São Paulo, this study considered, as a case study, the volume of truck traffic on Av. dos Bandeirantes from 2005 to 2010 and the period of greater restriction on truck traffic from 2010 to 2015, according to the Ordinance of the Municipal Transportation Secretary - SMT No. 84 of August 24, 2010 and its influence on air quality. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and correlation and regression analysis were used between the vehicle flow and air quality data, and scatter plots were generated and the correlation, correlation coefficient r and p value were determined, for confidence level 95%, between pollutants and traffic volume, according to the directions of flow of the road and periods of the day, morning and afternoon. It was observed a decrease in the concentration in the air of the analyzed pollutants, MP10, NOx and SO2, according to the data obtained in the period before and after the Ordinance 84. The results showed a statistically significant positive correlation, with a lower concentration of pollutants related to a lower number of trucks traveling on the road. This shows that higher volumes of trucks circulating in certain streets of the city significantly increases the concentrations of MP10, NOx and SO2 in the air. In relation to MP2.5 no correlations with statistical significance were obtained, probably due to the shorter period of data collection, presenting a smaller number of observations compared to the other pollutants. With this study we conclude that some measures to restrict the circulation of vehicles, in addition to reducing congestion, are relevant to the reduction of the concentration of pollutants in the air in areas near important traffic routes of the city. Therefore, the implementation of other areas of restriction on the circulation of trucks in the city of São Paulo, on roads near residential areas, and which present a large flow of trucks, will be beneficial for the improvement of air quality in the city.

Conversion of renewable substrates for biosurfactant production by Rhizopus arrhizus UCP 1607 and enhancing the removal of diesel oil from marine soil

BACKGROUND: The use of agro-industrial wastes to produce high value-added biomolecules such as biosurfactants is a promising approach for lowering the total costs of production. This study aimed to produce biosurfactants using Rhizopus arrhizus UCP 1607, with crude glycerol (CG) and corn steep liquor (CSL) as substrates. In addition, the biomolecule was characterized, and its efficiency in removing petroderivatives from marine soil was investigated. RESULTS: A 22 factorial design was applied, and the best condition for producing the biosurfactant was determined in assay 4 (3% CG and 5% CSL). The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of water from 72 to 28.8 mN/m and produced a yield of 1.74 g/L. The preliminary biochemical characterization showed that the biosurfactant consisted of proteins (38.0%), carbohydrates (35.4%), and lipids (5.5%). The compounds presented an anionic character, nontoxicity, and great stability for all conditions tested. The biomolecule displayed great ability in dispersing hydrophobic substrates in water, thereby resulting in 53.4 cm2 ODA. The best efficiency of the biosurfactant in removing the pollutant diesel oil from marine soil was 79.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ability of R. arrhizus UCP1607 to produce a low-cost biosurfactant characterized as a glycoprotein and its potential use in the bioremediation of the hydrophobic diesel oil pollutant in marine soil

Three Cases of Planned Complex Suicide / 대한법의학회지

Complex suicide refers to a type of suicide that leads to death using two or more methods. We report three cases of unique and rare examples of complex suicide, with the plan of the second and/or third method working simultaneously if the first suicidal attempt had failed. In the first case, the victim used three methods of asphyxia: hanging by a safety belt, plastic bag suffocation, and self-ligature strangulation by stretching rubber bands within the vehicle. In the second case, the victim hanged himself with electrocution by attaching electrical leads to the right side of his head. In the third case, the victim with the intention of drowning jumped 20 m above the water surface on the bridge by tying metal chains to the bridge rail and self-immolation by gasoline. Planned complex suicide involves more successful methods to commit suicide and may conversely be camouflaged as suicide in murder case.

Workplace Diesel Exhausts and Gasoline Exposure and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Four Nordic Countries

BACKGROUND: Evidence on associations between occupational diesel exhaust and gasoline exposure and colorectal cancer is limited. We aimed to assess the effect of workplace exposure to diesel exhaust and gasoline on the risk of colorectal cancer. METHODS: This caseecontrol study included 181,709 colon cancer and 109,227 rectal cancer cases diagnosed between 1961 and 2005 in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Cases and controls were identified from the Nordic Occupational Cancer Study cohort and matched for country, birth year, and sex. Diesel exhaust and gasoline exposure values were assigned by country-specific job-exposure matrices. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by using conditional logistic regression models. The results were adjusted for physical strain at work and occupational exposure to benzene, formaldehyde, ionizing radiation, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chromium, and wood dust. RESULTS: Diesel exhaust exposure was associated with a small increase in the risk of rectal cancer (odds ratio 1/4 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.08). Gasoline exposure was not associated with colorectal cancer risk. CONCLUSION: This study showed a small risk increase for rectal cancer after workplace diesel exhaust exposure. However, this finding could be due to chance, given the limitations of the study.

Evaluation of the immunobiological effects of a regenerative far-infrared heating system in pigs

Thermal conditions are an important environmental factor in maintaining healthy pigs because they affect feed intake, growth efficiency, reproduction and immune responses in pigs. RAVI, a regenerative far-infrared heating system, can effect pig production by emitting an optimal far-infrared wavelength. Far-infrared radiation has been reported to increase microvascular dilation and vascular flow volume. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunobiological differences between pigs raised with the RAVI system and the gasoline heater system. Twenty-six-week-old weaned pigs were raised in two rooms that were equipped with a RAVI system or a gasoline heater for 8 weeks. A porcine atrophic rhinitis vaccine was administered after two weeks and transcriptome analysis in whole blood were analyzed at 2-week intervals. Signaling pathway analyses of the RAVI group at 8 weeks showed the activation of pathways related to nitric oxide (NO) production. This suggests that the application of RAVI might induce the production of NO and iNOS, which are important for increasing the immune activity. Similar to the result of microarray, phenotypic changes were also observed at a later period of the experiment. The increase in body weight in the RAVI group was significantly higher than the gasoline heater group at 8 weeks. The antibody titer against the vaccine in the RAVI group was also higher than that the gasoline heater group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. This evaluation of the use of a far-infrared heating system with pigs will be helpful for applications in the pig farm industry and pig welfare.

Variation analysis of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates production using saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are efficient, renewable and environment friendly polymeric esters. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of microbes under stress conditions. This study was carried out to check the suitability of waste frying oil in comparison to other oils for economical bioplastic production. Six bacterial strains were isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus (KF270349), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KF270350), Bacillus subtilis (KF270351), Brevibacterium halotolerance (KF270352), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KF270353), and Stenotrophomonas rhizoposid (KF270354) by ribotyping. All strains were PHA producers so were selected for PHA synthesis using four different carbon sources, i.e., waste frying oil, canola oil, diesel and glucose. Extraction of PHA was carried out using sodium hypochlorite method and maximum amount was detected after 72 h in all cases. P. aeruginosa led to maximum PHA production after 72 h at 37 °C and 100 rpm using waste frying oil that was 53.2% PHA in comparison with glucose 37.8% and cooking oil 34.4%. B. cereus produced 40% PHA using glucose as carbon source which was high when compared against other strains. A significantly lesser amount of PHA was recorded with diesel as a carbon source for all strains. Sharp Infrared peaks around 1740-1750 cm-1 were present in Fourier Transform Infrared spectra that correspond to exact position for PHA. The use of waste oils and production of poly-3hydroxybutyrate-co-3hydroxyvalerate (3HB-co-3HV) by strains used in this study is a good aspect to consider for future prospects as this type of polymer has better properties as compared to PHBs.

Changes in the microbial community during bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil

Abstract We aimed to verify the changes in the microbial community during bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil. Microbial inoculants were produced from successive additions of gasoline to municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) previously fertilized with nitrogen-phosphorous. To obtain Inoculant A, fertilized MSWC was amended with gasoline every 3 days during 18 days. Inoculant B received the same application, but at every 6 days. Inoculant C included MSWC fertilized with N–P, but no gasoline. The inoculants were applied to gasoline-contaminated soil at 10, 30, or 50 g/kg. Mineralization of gasoline hydrocarbons in soil was evaluated by respirometric analysis. The viability of the inoculants was evaluated after 103 days of storage under refrigeration or room temperature. The relative proportions of microbial groups in the inoculants and soil were evaluated by FAME. The dose of 50 g/kg of inoculants A and B led to the largest CO2 emission from soil. CO2 emissions in treatments with inoculant C were inversely proportional to the dose of inoculant. Heterotrophic bacterial counts were greater in soil treated with inoculants A and B. The application of inoculants decreased the proportion of actinobacteria and increased of Gram-negative bacteria. Decline in the density of heterotrophic bacteria in inoculants occurred after storage. This reduction was bigger in inoculants stored at room temperature. The application of stored inoculants in gasoline-contaminated soil resulted in a CO2 emission twice bigger than that observed in uninoculated soil. We concluded that MSWC is an effective material for the production of microbial inoculants for the bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil.

NiMo-sulfide supported on activated carbon to produce renewable diesel / NiMo-sulfuro soportado en carbón activado para producir diesel renovable / NiMo-sulfeto suportado em carvão ativado para produzir diesel renovável

Resumen Gracias a su débil polaridad y gran área superficial, los soportes de carbón activado tienen el potencial de aumentar la dispersión de los sulfuros metálicos. La ausencia de una interacción fuerte metal-soporte puede conducir a la formación de una fase Ni-Mo-S muy activa y estable. En este estudio se prepararon catalizadores por el método de co-impregnación, con diferentes cantidades de níquel y molibdeno y soportados sobre carbón activado comercial, y se caracterizaron por técnicas BET, XRF y SEM. Se evaluó su actividad catalítica para el hidroprocesamiento de aceite de Jatropha utilizando un reactor por lotes, y se determinó la composición de los productos líquidos y gaseosos. Los resultados mostraron que los productos gaseosos están compuestos principalmente de grandes cantidades de propano y pequeñas cantidades de otros hidrocarburos livianos (C1 a C5). Los hidrocarburos líquidos fueron principalmente una mezcla de n-parafinas de C15-C18 y de algunos compuestos oxigenados. Los catalizadores presentaron una fracción de masa de 3 % Ni, 15 % Mo (Ni3Mo15/AC) y mayor selectividad hacia hidrocarburos C17-C18, con una distribución de productos similar al catalizador Ni-Mo-S soportado en alúmina comercial.

Abstract Due to their weak polarity and large surface area, activated carbon supports have the potential to enhance the dispersion of metal-sulfides. It is expected that the absence of a strong metal-support interaction can result in the formation of a very active and stable Ni-Mo-S phase. In this study, catalysts with different amounts of nickel and molybdenum supported on a commercial activated carbon were prepared by a co-impregnation method and characterized by BET, XRF, and SEM techniques. The catalytic activity for hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil was evaluated in a batch reactor, and the composition of the liquid and gaseous products were determined. Results showed that gaseous products are mainly composed of high amounts of propane and small amounts of other light hydrocarbons (C1 to C5). Liquid hydrocarbon products consisted of a mixture containing mainly n-paraffins of C15-C18 and some oxygenated compounds. The catalysts with a mass fraction of 3 % Ni, 15 % Mo (Ni3Mo15/AC) presented the highest selectivity toward C17-C18 hydrocarbons, with a product distribution similar to a commercial alumina-supported Ni-Mo-S catalyst.

Resumo Devido a sua baixa polaridade e amplia área superficial, os suportes de carvão ativado possuem o potencial de aumentar a dispersão de sulfetos metálicos. A ausência de uma forte interação suporte-metal pode levar a formação de uma fase Ni-Mo-S muito ativa e estável. Neste estudo, foram preparados catalizadores com diferentes teores de níquel e molibdênio suportados em carvão ativado comercial por um método de co-impregnação e caracterizados pelas técnicas BET, XRF e SEM. A atividade catalítica foi avaliada para o hidroprocessamento do óleo de Jatropha em um reator por lotes, e se determinou a composição dos produtos líquidos e gasosos. Os resultados mostraram que os produtos gasosos são compostos principalmente por altos teores de propano e pequenos teores de outros hidrocarbonos leves (C1-C5). Os hidrocarbonos líquidos consistiram de uma mistura contendo principalmente n-parafinas de C15-C18 e alguns compostos oxigenados. Os catalizadores apresentaram uma fração de massa de 3 % Ni, 15 % Mo (Ni3Mo15/AC) e uma maior seletividade em relação aos hidrocarbonos C17-C18, com uma distribuição de produtos similar ao catalizador comercial Ni-Mo-S suportado em alumina.

Longitudinal trends of blood lead levels before and after leaded gasoline regulation in Korea

The objective of this study was to verify a change in the longitudinal trend of blood lead levels for the Korean population, before and after the regulation of leaded gasoline— which occurred between 1987 and 1993 in Korea. A total of 77 reports on blood lead levels among general Korean population between 1981 and 2014 were selected, and the results were summarized to have the variables of year, number of subjects, the subjects’ range in age, gender, and blood lead concentrations (arithmetic mean). The annual average atmospheric lead levels for four major cities (i.e., Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju) were collected from the Air Pollution Monitoring Database from 1991, and pilot studies from 1985 to 1990 before the national air quality monitoring system was launched in 1991. Blood lead levels were visualized in a bubble plot in which the size of each bubble represented the sample size of each study, and the annual average concentrations in ambient air were depicted on line graphs. Blood lead levels in the Korean population tended to gradually increase from the early 1980s (approximately 15-20 μg/dL) until 1990-1992 (20-25 μg/dL). Blood lead levels then began to rapidly decrease until 2014 ( < 2 μg/dL). Similar patterns were observed for both adults (≥20 years) and younger children/adolescents. The same longitudinal trend was observed in annual average atmospheric lead concentration, which suggests a significant correlation between air lead concentration and blood lead concentration in the general population. In conclusion, the regulation of leaded gasoline has significantly contributed to the rapid change in blood lead concentrations. And, the regulation of other sources of lead exposure should be considered to further decrease blood lead levels in the Korean population.

Adsorción de diésel en solución acuosa sobre aserrín cedro (cedrela odorata l. ) en columna de lecho fijo / Adsorption of diesel in aqueous solution on cedar sawdust (cedrela odorata l. ) in a fixed bed column / Adsorção de gasóleo em solução aquosa sobre serradura de cedro (cedrela odorata l. ) em coluna de leito fixo

Se evaluó el uso de aserrín de Cedro (Cedrela odorata L.) en la adsorción de diésel en solución acuosa. El potencial del aserrín como adsorbente en sistema continuo fue investigado, variando la cantidad de biomasa y el caudal, usando columnas de plástico transparente de diámetro 3,5 cm y una altura de 18,5 cm, con tiempo de contacto de 180 min, tomando alícuotas de 50 mL en diferentes intervalos. La medición de la concentración residual fue realizada por cromatografía de gases, donde se estableció la saturación de la columna a las mejores condiciones; se determinó que a los 600 minutos se llega a un equilibrio, en el cual posiblemente se produce una alta saturación de la biomasa, que alcanza una capacidad de 62,93mg/g Esta fue determinada con el modelo de Thomas a un flujo de 0,1 mL/s y 4 g de aserrín de cedro.

The use of Cedar sawdust (Cedrela odorata L.) in the adsorption of diesel in aqueous solution was evaluated. The potential of sawdust as an adsorbent in a continuous system was investigated, varying the amount of biomass and the flow rate, using transparent plastic columns with a diameter of 3.5 cm and a height of 18.5 cm, with a contact time of 180 min, taking aliquots of 50 mL at different intervals. The measurement of the residual concentration was carried out by gas chromatography, where the saturation of the column was established at the best conditions; it was determined that at 600 minutes an equilibrium is reached, in which a high saturation of the biomass is possibly produced, which reaches a saturation of the biomass. This was determined with the Thomas model at a flow rate of 0.1 mL/s and 4 g of cedar sawdust.

Avaliou-se o uso da serragem de Cedro (Cedrela odorata L.) na adsorção de diesel em solução aquosa. O potencial da serragem como adsorvente em sistema contínuo foi investigado variando-se a quantidade de biomassa e a vazão, utilizando-se colunas de plástico transparente com diâmetro de 3,5 cm e altura de 18,5 cm, com tempo de contato de 180 min, tomando-se alíquotas de 50 mL em diferentes intervalos. A medição da concentração residual foi efectuada por cromatografia gasosa, onde se estabeleceu a saturação da coluna nas melhores condições; determinou-se que aos 600 minutos se atinge um equilíbrio, no qual possivelmente se produz uma elevada saturação da biomassa, que atinge uma saturação Este valor foi determinado com o modelo de Thomas a um caudal de 0,1 mL/s e 4 g de serradura de cedro.