Abstract
Coarse particulate matter (PM10) concentrations and chemical composition were monitored from 2014 to 2017 at three sampling sites in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, namely Botafogo, Gavea, and Gericino. All sites are located close to the 2016 Olympic Game arenas. The average annual PM10 concentrations were above the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) at all sampling sites. Of all the analyzed water-soluble ions, the highest concentrations were obtained for NO3-, SO42-, Cl- and Na+. Sulfate displayed a higher anthropic contribution (ca. 70%). Iron and copper were present in all samples, originated from soil resuspension and traffic (fuels and brakes, among others). Overall, civil works to restructure the city and the construction of the Olympic Game arenas increased PM10 and some of its constituent levels prior to 2016. After the Olympic Games, PM10 concentrations have decreased, due to governmental policies regarding traffic planning and civil work finalization.
Highlights
The atmosphere has increasingly received a high number of anthropogenic emissions, causing significant air quality alterations
PM10 concentrations In Brazil, air quality standards are established by the Environment National Council through Resolution (RE) 03/1990,39 which states that the annual arithmetic mean PM10 concentration should not exceed 50 μg m-3, while the mean 24-h concentration should not exceed 150 μg m-3 more than once a year
A new Resolution (RE) 491/201840 was recently published, defining the new interim quality standards (PI), established as temporary values to be met in stages, and the final air quality standard (PF), based on guide values defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005
Summary
The atmosphere has increasingly received a high number of anthropogenic emissions, causing significant air quality alterations. Economic and demographic growth have resulted in significant gas and particle emission increases.[1] This growth, combined with the industrialization process, traffic and fuel burning, lead to high urban air pollution levels, affecting the quality of life of millions of people.[2,3,4] Particulate matter (PM) comprises one of the essential legislated parameters for air quality assessments. High PM concentrations can induce several health problems.[6] The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 4.2 million deaths per year are related to exposure to outdoor air pollution,[7] and over 90% of these deaths occur as a result of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancers.[8,9,10,11]
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