A study in Rio de Janeiro concluded that air pollution may have contributed to the death of 8.5% of children up to 5 years old in three densely populated neighborhoods in the west of the city. The researchers evaluated the level of thin particulate material (MP2.5) in the air, a substance that causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The research, conducted by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Veiga de Almeida University (UVA), was published last July, in the American scientific journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.
The analyzes focused on three neighborhoods in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro: Bangu, Patience and Santa Cruz. The regions are considered strategic by bringing together some of the worst air quality rates, due to topography, burning, vehicle and industrial emissions. In addition, they are densely populated and already have active air monitoring stations.
Pollution above the limit
The data were recorded between April and November 2023, a period with low precipitation and worst air quality conditions, and the analyzes showed that MP2.5 concentrations were over 15 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) in more than 50% of days. This is the maximum recommended value to ensure good air quality, according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
The study then crossed this data with information from the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Rio de Janeiro City Hall. Among children 1 to 5 years, the mortality rate in the period was 14.9 per 1,000 live births, 28.2% and 5.3% of deaths, respectively, by respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
Then, the researchers used the WHO Airq+software, which estimates how much of health effects can be attributed to thin particulate material, which allowed them to reach the percentage of 8.5% of deaths of children caused by high levels of MP2.5.
“Fine particulate material is one of the most critical we have. It is a very small particle [diâmetro igual ou inferior a 2,5 micrômetros, ou 50 vezes menor que a espessura de um fio de cabelo]. It can reach and penetrate blood lungs and currents. And it is very harmful to health, ”explains the professor and environmental science researcher at UVA Cleyton Martins.
“It can cause or aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Children are more vulnerable because they have breathing and circulatory systems still under development. They are more susceptible to the risks and effects of this type of material. Elderly population also, with more compromised respiratory and immune system, ”he adds.
The researcher, who led the study alongside the professor at the UFRJ Institute of Chemistry Graciela Arilla, reinforces the need for more efficient air quality management and monitoring plans, especially to protect vulnerable populations.
“This type of monitoring should cover the whole city, especially the most critical regions. It should also consider all legislated pollutants. I can’t measure how the air quality is without monitoring everything. And this is the reality in many places. When we think of Brazil as a whole, most states do not do this monitoring.
The researcher praised the monitoring expansion announced by the State Environment Institute (INEA), which includes fine particulate material in all treatment stations. “From this, we can have a more real diagnosis of the situation, plan inspections, control and taking effect,” he concludes.
