Since the 1950s, pesticides have been used in agriculture. The increase in their consumption has been observed in recent years. In this work, it was determined the concentration of pesticides in the atmosphere of São Paulo and Piracicaba cities (sugarcane plantation site) and the hazard quotients and cancer risk caused by inhalation of these compounds were calculated. Twenty-three samples were analyzed and 34 pesticides associated to atmospheric particulate matter (with diameter equal to or less than 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10)) were investigated by gas chromatograpy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fourteen compounds including organochlorines, organophosphorus, and pyrethroids pesticides, were determined in these samples. The concentrations in the particulate matter ranged from 17 pg m−3 (tebuconazole) in Piracicaba, to 166 pg m−3 (endrin aldehyde) in São Paulo. The highest values of daily inhalation exposure for heptachlor were 9.0 × 10−5mg kg−1 day−1 at Piracicaba, and 6.5 × 10−5 mg kg−1 day−1 at São Paulo, in both cases registered in infants. The values of the hazard quotients are lower than 1.0, indicating that there is no danger to the exposed population, it is health protective. On the other hand, the cancer risk calculations for heptachlor resulted in values above those recommended by US Environmental Protection Agecy (EPA).

Radiation and advection fogs were characterized at two sites nearby important roads next to São Paulo City, Brazil. Water-soluble ions, monosaccharides, other sugars and organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) were determined. Both sites present a high number of fog events with mainly radiation fogs causing visibility problems to the automotive traffic (Castello Branco and Raposo Tavares roads). Samples were collected in nine events in 2009 and ten events in 2010, during wintertime. Two radiation and advection fog events have been herein presented. The radiation fog occurred in 2009 at Castello Branco Road (CBR), presented the highest concentration of pollutants comparing to all other events. The most abundant species are associated with biomass landfill and fossil fuel burning. Locally, the region has a strong impact by the fertilizer industries and traffic of heavy vehicles. The second most polluted event occurred also in 2009 at CBR, an advection fog presented species attributed to soil resuspension and anthropogenic emissions. The results are compared with rainwater composition studies.

Neste trabalho, as distribuições sazonais de Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb, Zn e de íons majoritários (Cl-, PO4(3-), NO3-, SO4(2-), HCOO-, CH3COO-, oxalato, succinato, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ e Ca2+) foram estudadas na fração PM10 (material particulado menor que 10 mm) na cidade de São Paulo (abril de 2003 a maio de 2004). Os níveis atmosféricos mais elevados foram encontrados para os íons inorgânicos SO4(2-), NO3-, Cl- e PO4(3-), e dentre os íons orgânicos, oxalato e formiato. Os níveis atmosféricos para elementos foram: Fe > Al > Ca > K > at > Mg > Zn > Cu > Pb. As fontes relevantes foram: (i) queima de combustíveis e/ou queima de biomassa (NO3-, HCOO-, C2O4(2-), K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe, Pb, Zn, Al, Ca, K e Mg), (ii) conversão gás-partícula (SO4(2-) e NH4+) e (iii) spray marinho (Cl-, Na+ e Na).

This study deals with the seasonal distribution of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn and water soluble ions (Cl-, PO4(3-), NO3-, SO4(2-), HCOO-, CH3COO-, oxalate, succinate, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) found in PM10 samples (particulate matter less than 10 mm in diameter) São Paulo City, Brazil, (April 2003-May 2004). Higher atmospheric levels were found for SO4(2-), NO3-, Cl- and PO4(3-) while the main organic anions were oxalate and formate. Atmospheric levels for elements were: Fe > Al > Ca > K > Na > Mg > Zn > Cu > Pb. Some sources were predominant for some species: (i) fuel burning and/or biomass burning (NO3-, HCOO-, C2O4(2-), K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe, Pb, Zn, Al, Ca, K and Mg), (ii) gas-to-particle conversion (SO4(2-) and NH4+) and (iii) sea salt spray (Cl-, Na+ and Na).

O asfalto é utilizado na produção de misturas asfálticas a quente (HMA) para a pavimentação e, devido às altas temperaturas empregadas, gera fumos que contêm n-alcanos e hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs). As misturas asfálticas preparadas em temperaturas mais baixas, como as misturas asfálticas mornas (WMA), podem contribuir na redução das emissões daqueles compostos e economizar energia. Este trabalho investiga os n-alcanos e os HPAs nas partículas totais em suspensão durante a preparação de uma WMA, em comparação com uma HMA, em laboratório. Os resultados mostraram que os n-alcanos da WMA e da HMA apresentaram Cmáx no n-C26 e n-C28, respectivamente, e o teor de n-alcanos total foi maior na HMA do que na WMA. Ademais, verificou-se que o benzo[b]fluoranteno e benzo[a]antraceno constituíam os maiores HPAs na WMA, enquanto as temperaturas mais altas da HMA volatilizaram todos seus grandes HPAs, demonstrando maior potencial de exposição por inalação.

Asphalt binder is used in the production of hot mixes asphalt (HMA) for paving and, due to the high temperatures used, generates fumes thatcontainn-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Asphalt mixes prepared at lower temperatures, such as warm mixes asphalt (WMA), may contribute to reduce the emissions of those compounds and save energy. This paper investigatesn-alkanes and PAH in the total suspended particles during the preparation of WMA, in comparison with HMA, in laboratory. The results showed that the n-alkanes of the WMA and HMA presented Cmax at n-C26 and n-C28, respectively; also, the total content of n-alkanes was higher for the HMA than forthe WMA. Besides, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]anthracene were the major PAH in the WMA, while the higher temperatures of the HMA were observed to volatilize all larger PAH, demonstrating higher potential of inhalation exposure.

Compostos orgânicos voláteis, tais como hidrocarbonetos oxigenados, hidrocarbonetos alifáticos e aromáticos foram medidos no ar interno de dois túneis urbanos da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Nesses túneis são freqüentes os congestionamentos de tráfico com números expressivos de veículos com controle de emissão inadequada. São Paulo, uma cidade altamente poluída, apresenta uma frota atípica de veículos com uma variedade grande de misturas de combustíveis, incluindo os oxigenados. Nesse trabalho, foram feitas medidas no ar interno e externo do túnel para avaliar os níveis dos poluentes emitidos diretamente por veículos e aqueles formados fotoquimicamente na atmosfera. No túnel (A), onde circulam apenas veículos leves movidos principalmente por gasool, uma mistura contendo 78-80% (v/v) gasolina e 20-25% etanol, as razões de formaldeído/acetaldeído foram < 1; e no túnel (B), onde circulam veículos leves principalmente movidos a gasool e veículos pesados movidos a diesel, essas razões foram aproximadamente igual a 1. Em ambos os túneis, as razões ácido fórmico/ácido acético foram bem mais baixas do que 1. O benzaldeído foi sugerido como sendo um possível traçador de emissões de veículos leves movidos a gasool. Os n-alcanos foram os compostos mais abundantes (níveis semelhantes em ambos os túneis) e, em seguida os compostos carbonílicos (níveis mais altos em B) e os compostos aromáticos (níveis mais altos em A). Foram encontrados níveis semelhantes de ácidos orgânicos, espécies minoritárias, em ambos os túneis. Os resultados desse estudo mostram que poluentes tóxicos estão presentes em níveis significativos nos dois túneis. No túnel (A) foram encontrados razões de mistura de 39,2 e 24,8 ppbv para os agentes carcinogênicos formaldeído e benzeno; no túnel (B) um valor máximo de 34,5 ppbv foi encontrado para o acetaldeído, um provável agente carcinogênico. Estudos futuros devem ser feitos para estimar os níveis de exposição de poluentes tóxicos no ar para ocupantes de veículos, uma vez que essas pessoas passam um tempo significativo dentro de túneis urbanos.

Volatile organic compounds, such as oxygenated hydrocarbons, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in ambient air from two distinct urban tunnels in São Paulo City, Brazil, in special, at rush hours. In these tunnels, traffic jams with significant numbers of vehicles with inadequate emission controls are frequent. São Paulo, a highly polluted city, has an unconventional mix of vehicle types in that a variety of gasoline blends, including oxygenated ones are used. Inside and outside tunnel measurements were performed to evaluate pollutant levels originated from direct vehicular emissions and formed by atmospheric photochemistry. Formaldehyde/acetaldehyde ratios of tunnel (A) circulating only light-duty vehicles fueled mainly with gasohol, a mixture containing 78-80% (v/v) gasoline and 20-25% ethanol, were < 1; ratios of tunnel (B) circulating light-duty vehicles fueled mainly with gasohol and heavy diesel vehicles, were approximately equal to 1. Formic acid/acetic acid ratios of both tunnels were much lower than 1. Benzaldehyde was suggested as a possible tracer of light-duty gasohol vehicular emissions. n-alkanes were the most abundant compound class (similar levels in both tunnels) followed by carbonyl compounds (higher levels in B), and aromatics compounds (higher levels in A). Organic acids, the minor species, were found at similar levels in both tunnels. Results of this survey show that toxic pollutants are present at significant levels in both tunnels. Formaldehyde and benzene, human carcinogenic agents, presented maximum mixing ratios of 39.2 and 24.8 ppbv, respectively, inside tunnel A; acetaldehyde, a probable human carcinogenic, reached a maximum of 34.5 ppbv inside tunnel B. Since vehicle occupants that spend a significant time in urban tunnels are commonly exposed to toxic pollutant emissions, future extensive studies should be done in order to estimate exposure levels of toxic ambient air pollutants for these people.

A vegetação é a fonte de aproximadamente 90% de todos os compostos orgânicos voláteis na atmosfera global. Alguns hidrocarbonetos oxigenados emitidos por plantas reagem com radicais livres, tais como nitrato e hidroxila, e ozônio em taxas comparáveis com aquelas dos compostos antropogênicos mais reativos e podem contribuir para a formação de ozônio em áreas urbanas. Apesar do papel importante dos hidrocarbonetos naturais na formação fotoquímica dos oxidantes, pouco se sabe sobre as espécies químicas dos compostos orgânicos voláteis emitidos por plantas. Nesse trabalho, foi estudada a emissão de compostos orgânicos voláteis por Ficus benjamina, espécie comumente encontrada na região da cidade de São Paulo. Os gases emitidos pelas folhas da F. benjamina foram coletados em sistemas fechados e vários compostos orgânicos voláteis oxigenados, tais como ácidos orgânicos (ácido fórmico e ácido acético), aldeídos (formaldeído, acetaldeído e hexanal) e álcoois (mentol, 1- butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-penten-1-ol, 4-penten-2-ol e linalool), foram identificados através de técnicas cromatográficas.

Vegetation is the source of over 90% of all volatile organic compounds in the global atmosphere. Some oxygenated hydrocarbons emitted by plants react with radicals, such as nitrate and hydroxyl, and ozone at comparable rates to those of the most reactive anthropogenic compounds and they can contribute to ozone formation in urban areas. Although the natural hydrocarbons have an important role in the formation of photochemical oxidant, chemical speciation of the oxygenated volatile organic compounds is still very limited. In this paper, enclosured gaseous samples were collected from Ficus benjamina, a common plant species in the region of the São Paulo City, and various oxygenated volatile organic compounds, such as organic acids (formic and acetic acids), aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and hexanal) and alcohols (menthol, 1- butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-penten1ol, 4-penten-2-ol e linalool), were identified by using chromatographic techniques.