Loading...
4 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
- Influence of outdoor air pollution on cardiovascular diseases in Madeira (Portugal)Publication . Camacho, Irene; Camacho, Jaime; Camacho, Roberto; Góis, André; Nóbrega, VítorPrevious studies suggest that human exposure to atmospheric pollution can trigger cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed at assessing the influence of short-term exposure to atmospheric pollution in the occurrence of CVD and mortality in Madeira. A single-centre retrospective study was conducted during 2005–2011. Air pollutant data and meteorological parameters were gathered. Daily admissions at the emergency service due to CVD and markers levels for cardiac function were obtained from a public hospital. Exploratory and correlation analysis of all variables were performed, and the CVD relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions and mortality was calculated. During the study, mean annual concentrations of the air pollutants varied greatly, with NOx and O3 showing the highest annual average concentrations. Two hundred ten thousand five hundred forty patients were admitted at the emergency service, 74% of them due to cardiovascular causes. Hospital admissions were positively correlated with PM2.5, and SO2. A positive and significant association between PM2.5 with creatine kinase myocardial band and B-type natriuretic peptides markers was found, whilst SO2 was positively associated with Creatine kinase myocardial band. The RR seemed to increased with PM2.5 and NOx exposure. Traffic-related pollutants were weakly but statistically associated to hospital admissions due to CVD and mortality. PM2.5 and SO2 were related with higher hospital admissions which in turn seemed to increase the serum markers. The risk of mortality was mainly associated with O3 and average air temperature. Adults and elders seem to be more susceptible to atmospheric pollutants, particularly in the winter.
- Occurrence of Puccinia spp. spores in Madeira Island and their phytopathological importancePublication . Camacho, Irene; Leça, Rubina; Sardinha, Duarte; Camacho, Roberto; Sadyś, MagdalenaThe genus Puccinia represents rust infections, which are responsible for great productivity losses in crops of commercial and ornamental plants worldwide. This work is aimed at determining the occurrence of Puccinia spp. spores in Madeira Island in order to infer the exposure risks from a phytopathological point of view. A phytopathological analysis was performed in 203 local plant samples between January 2003 and December 2012. During the same period the airborne concentrations of rust spores were monitored following well-established guidelines. Aerobiological data was compared with meteorological records. Based on macro and microscopic analyses, five species of rusts were identified: P. horiana, P. buxi, P. porri, P. pelargoniizonalis, and P. sorghi, and they were found mostly in spring and summer. A total of 20 samples out of 203 analysed plants (9.8%), were infected with Puccinia spores, i.e., P. horiana (5.9%), P. buxi (1.47%), P. porri and P. pelargonii-zonalis (0.98%), and P. sorghi (0.5%). During the studied period Puccinia spores attained an annual average concentration of 126 spores m−3 and most of them were recorded between March and October. Meteorological factors were determinant in fluctuations in spore concentration. Relative humidity was the parameter that favoured the biggest release and dispersal of the rust spores, whereas rainfall revealed a significant negative effect. Rusts do not represent an important plant pathogen in Madeira Island, as shown by the low infection frequencies and levels of airborne spore concentrations.
- Madeira-a tourist destination for asthma sufferersPublication . Camacho, Irene; Grinn-Gofroń, Agnieszka; Camacho, Roberto; Berenguer, Pedro; Sadyś, MagdalenaMadeira Island is a famous tourist destination due to its natural and climatic values. Taking into account optimal weather conditions, flora richness and access to various substrates facilitating fungal growth, we hypothesised a very high risk of elevated fungal spore and pollen grain concentrations in the air of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Concentration levels of the most allergenic taxa were measured from 2003 to 2009, using a 7-day volumetric air sampler, followed by microscopy analysis. Dependence of bioaerosols on the weather conditions and land use were assessed using spatial and statistical tools. Obtained results were re-visited by a comparison with hospital admission data recorded at the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital in Funchal. Our results showed that despite propitious climatic conditions, overall pollen grain and fungal spore concentrations in the air were very low and did not exceed any clinically established threshold values. Pollen and spore peak concentrations also did not match with asthma outbreaks in the winter. Identification of places that are "free" from biological air pollution over the summer, such as Madeira Island, is very important from the allergic point of view.
- The impact of urban and forest fires on the airborne fungal spore aerobiologyPublication . Camacho, Irene; Góis, André; Camacho, Roberto; Nóbrega, Vítor; FernandezThe occurrence of airborne fungal spores is driven by several biogeographic and climatic factors. In addition, the occurrence of fires near fungal ecosystems seems to play an important role on the aerobiology of fungal spores. Wildfires are prevalent throughout the world and particularly so in several South European countries with Mediterranean climate. The present survey aimed at analysing the impact of urban and forest fires on the airborne fungal spore content of Madeira Island. Data suggest that after a fire occurrence, the concentration of fungal spores tends to increase in the air, peaking on the 10th day after a fire event. It is likely that fire-induced convections promote release of fungal spores from their natural habitat and that the soil heating conditions could trigger the germination of fungi colonizing post-fire plant residues and soil. It is also possible that the registered low precipitation and wind intensity could help increase the concentration of fungal spores in the atmosphere during 1–2 weeks. These findings need further research, not only at a regional but also at a larger scale, in order to clarify the specific impact of fires on such biological particles and the possible consequences on public health.