Hazardous Organic Pollutants (PAHs, PCBs e BDEs) in air samples of Sorocaba City-SP/Brazil: Concentrations, Sources and Exposure Risk for Human Health

• Grant number: 23/14685-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: André Henrique Rosa
• Grantee: Olumide Emmanuel Akinrinade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The integrity of outdoor air is increasingly compromised by contamination from anthropogenic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCBs and PBDEs are already prioritized in different categories of multilateral environmental conventions due to their toxicity/carcinogenicity, environmental persistence, potential for environmental mobility and bioaccumulation. Contamination of a wide range of these chemicals has been reported in global air, particularly in industrial/high population locations. It is assumed that high concentrations of these compounds in the air will be present in Sorocaba, one of the largest industrial cities in Brazil. However, there is no data/information available to support this hypothesis. This study is then initiated to understand current air concentrations, sources, profiles and possible impacts of exposure to PCBs, PBDEs and PAHs in Sorocaba. The study is designed to involve a passive-polyurethane foam air sampler (PAS-PUF) to capture air samples in a 100 km transect from Sorocaba. The suitability of the PAS-PUF for such a study has been well documented in the literature. Along with air sampling, composite soil samples would be collected within 1 m2 and ~5 cm below the soil surface where the PAS-PUF are deployed. In addition, daily monitoring of environmental parameters would be observed throughout the sampling period. Air and soil sampling would be followed by exhaustive extraction, cleaning and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry according to appropriate quality control/assurance. All data would undergo rigorous statistical, mathematical and exposure risk modeling to better understand the sources of the airborne chemicals and the risk implications for humans. In general, this study will provide important information The information will bring, in addition to the still scarce knowledge in the country about the presence of contaminants in the air, sources and risk impacts of PCBs, PAHs and PBDEs in the city of Sorocaba. The information will also bring benefits to the Sorocaba community, international communities, multilateral environmental organizations and government administration at various levels. The study relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: 3 (Good health and well-being), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities and 12 (Responsible consumption and production).

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)

AKINRINADE, OLUMIDE EMMANUEL; ROSA, ANDRE HENRIQUE. Current levels, sources, and risks of human exposure to PAHs, PBDEs and PCBs in South American outdoor air: A critical review. Environmental Research, v. 270, p. 11-pg., 2025-04-01. (23/09923-6, 23/15847-0, 23/14685-7)