Comparison of active and passive sampling techniques for the determination of the equivalent toxicity of the atmosphere in relation to dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls

• Grant number: 14/00745-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2014
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: João Vicente de Assunção
• Grantee: João Vicente de Assunção
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls are pollutants with wide impact potential for human health, including increase of cancer incidence, neurodevelopmental effects, dermal lesions and hormonal disorders. Recently, the outdoor air pollution was classified as carcinogenic to humans, by WHO; it shows the importance of the characterization of atmosphere. Objectives: To verify the equivalence of results about dioxin, furan and dl-PCB concentrations obtained with active and passive sampling techniques; to verify the possibility of using the passive method to exposure monitoring for medium term; to characterize the equivalent toxicity of study atmospheres. Method: Active sampling for until 7 days according to Method TO-09 US EPA and passive sampling according to Method of UNEP during 2 months maximum exposure time. Both passive and active sampling will be carried out in urban, industrial and background areas during 1 year with speciation and quantification of 17 most toxic dioxins and furans and 12 dl-PCB, that it will be carried out by HRCG/HRMS; the toxicity calculations will be done according to toxicological equivalency factors WHO of the 2005. Expected Results: The characterization of the equivalent toxicity of the atmosphere in relation to dioxins, furans and dl-PCBs in three locations: background, low concentrations of pollutants, industrial with concentrations higher than the background and the comparison of these results with those that will found in the urban area of São Paulo. The analysis of the two sampling methods and the applicability of the passive method for monitoring these compounds. The added benefit will be the increase in knowledge about theconcentration of POPs in different atmospheres. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FRANCISCO, ANA PAULA; NARDOCCI, ADELAIDE CASSIA; TOMINAGA, MARIA YUMIKO; DA SILVA, CAMILA RODRIGUES; DE ASSUNCAO, JOAO VICENTE. Spatial and seasonal trends of polychlorinated dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in air using passive and active samplers and inhalation risk assessment. ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH, v. 8, n. 5, p. 979-987, SEP 2017. (14/00745-9, 13/20299-0)