Browsing by Author "Vieira Da Silva, Manuela"
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- 3rd International Congress of Environmental Health: Proceedings BookPublication . Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Oliveira, Rui S.; Rodrigues, Matilde; Nunes, Mafalda; Santos, Joana; Carvalhais, C.; Rebelo, Andreia; Freitas, Marisa; Xavier, AnaThis third edition addresses to ‘Emerging risks and challenges for the environment, health and safety’ and intended as a guide to the various symposiums and workshops, to provide all present the most recent scientific and technological advances in the areas: Occupational Health and Toxicology; Exposure to Nanoparticles; Assessment and Risk Management; Occupational Safety; Exposure to Bioaerosols; Environment and Sustainability; Food Safety and Public Health.
- Analytical and subjective interpretation of thermal comfort in hospitals: A case study in two sterilization servicesPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaHospital facilities are normally very complex, which combined with patient requirements promote conditions for potential development of uncomfortable working conditions. Thermal discomfort is one such example. This study aimed to determine levels of thermal comfort, sensations, and preferences, from a field investigation conducted in two sterilization services (SS) of two hospitals from Porto and Aveiro, Portugal. The analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort was based upon assumptions of ISO 7726:1998 and ISO 7730:2005. The predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) indices were obtained by measurement and estimation of environmental and personal variables, respectively, and calculated according to ISO 7730 equations. The subjective variables were obtained from thermal sensation (subjective PMV) and affective assessment (subjective PPD), reported by a questionnaire based upon ISO 10551:1995. Both approaches confirmed thermal discomfort in both SS (codified as SS1 and SS2). For all areas, PMV and PPD exceeded in all periods of the day the recommended range of -0.5 to +0.5 and <10%, respectively. No significant differences were found between day periods. The questionnaire results showed that SS2 workers reported a higher level of thermal discomfort. There were no significant differences between PMV and thermal sensations, as well as between PPD and affective assessment. The PMV/PPD model was found suitable to predict thermal sensations of occupants in hospital SS located in areas with a mild climate in Portugal.
- Applied research on environmental and occupational health in hospital contextPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Xavier, Ana; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Santos, JoanaHospital facilities are normally, very complex, which combined with patient requirements promote conditions for potential development of uncomfortable working conditions. The work in hospitals is likely to damage health resulting in occupational accidents and diseases. In this sense, a project focused on Environmental and Occupational Health in Hospital Context was developed to be a contribution to understand the risk factors to which health professionals and patients are exposed in these environments and how this exposure can be reduced. This research line resulted in 34 publications and 11 oral/poster communications: 6 articles in international scientific journals, 3 book chapters, 13 articles/abstracts in books of international congress proceedings, 4 technical reports, 1 doctoral thesis and 7 final course works. The project allowed the study of data about occupational exposure and accidents in hospital environments in the North of Portugal
- Are musicians exposed to excessive noise in Portuguese orchestras?Publication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Freitas, Marisa; Neves, M.P.; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaNoise exposure is broadly recognized as one of the most frequent risk factor at industrial settings, however, for musicians the problematic of noise exposition is not well characterized. Previous studies showed that musicians, in particular orchestral musicians, could be exposed to high sound levels, which can result in hearing damages. These injuries have a negative impact on its performance due to the strongly dependence of their audition system.
- Assessment and characterization of sound pressure levels in Portuguese neonatal intensive care unitsPublication . Santos, Joana; Alberto Alves Carvalhais, Carlos; Xavier, Ana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaIn NICU, systematic exposure to sound pressure levels above the recommended can affect both neonates and staff. This study aimed to evaluate the sound pressure levels in three Portuguese NICU and the noise perception of staff. The measurements were performed with a sound level meter, considering the location of the main sources of noise and the layout of the units. A questionnaire was applied to assess noise perception of professionals. The staff classified the environment (regarding noise) as ―slightly uncomfortable‖ (41.1%) and 48.4% considered it as ―acceptable‖. In addition, the majority (55.5%) considered ―equipment‖ as the most annoying source of noise. The results showed that noise levels were excessive in all the evaluated areas of the NICUs, exceeding international guidelines, with the levels ranging between 48.7 dBA to 71.7 dBA. Overall, there is a need for more research in order to verify the effectiveness of some actions and strategies to reduce the impact of noise in NICU.
- Avaliação da Qualidade do Ar Interior em Centros de Dia para IdososPublication . Pinto, Mário; Rebelo, Andreia; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaA problemática da Qualidade do Ar Interior (QAI) tem despertado continuamente o interesse da comunidade científica e do público em geral. Dos factores que afectam directamente a QAI destacam-se as fontes de poluição interior como os materiais de construção, produtos de limpeza, os ocupantes através dos seus comportamentos e actividades, os sistemas de ventilação, sistemas de aquecimento e ar condicionado (AVAC). Como fontes de poluição exterior são identificados o fumo de combustão de veículos, emissões industriais, pólen, deposição de resíduos (Martínez e Callejo 2006; EPA, 2009; APA, 2010). Genericamente, podemos categorizar os contaminantes do ar interior em três tipos principais: químicos, físicos e biológicos (Chan et al., 2009).
- Chemical safety of children's play paints: Focus on selected heavy metalsPublication . Rebelo, Andreia; Pinto, Edgar; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Almeida, Agostinho A.Children's play paints are widely used as didactic products in preschool activities. Besides direct skin contact, a great risk of oral exposure exists during its normal and foreseeable use. Due to the ubiquitous nature of most metals, their presence as impurities in all products is recognized as unavoidable. However, the toxic potential of most of them requires that their levels are kept as low as possible. The present study aimed to assess the content of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn) in “artist paints” (n = 54) and “face paints” (n = 12) commonly used in preschool establishments and available at low cost stores. Determinations were carried out by GFAAS (for Pb, Cd, Co, Cr and Ni) and FAAS (for Mn, Cu and Zn). The levels obtained [mean ± SD (maximum)] were: 0.48 ± 0.44 (1.98) μg g− 1 for Pb; 0.04 ± 0.04 (0.30) μg g− 1 for Cd; 0.17 ± 0.20 (1.47) μg g− 1 for Co; 1.36 ± 2.18 (9.40) μg g− 1 for Cr; 0.63 ± 0.56 (3.10) μg g− 1 for Ni; 19.8 ± 88.2 (718) μg g− 1 for Mn; 108 ± 260 (1458) μg g− 1 for Cu; and 130 ± 564 (3478) μg g− 1 for Zn. A safety assessment considering the estimated potential exposure and health-based limits (tolerable daily intakes) was performed. Overall, the results showed no reasons for safety concerns regarding the studied elements.
- Children’s play paints and cosmetics: a potential source of toxic elements (metals)?Publication . Rebelo, Andreia; Pinto, Edgar; Freitas, Marisa; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaToxic elements can be found in many products used in the school environment and their presence may present a potential source of hazards for young children. Children´s play paints (finger-paints, gouaches, acrylics, water paints) and decorative cosmetics are commonly used as didactic products in preschool activities. These products composition include a wide range and variety of natural and synthetic substances, such as pigments, solvents, water, preservatives and fragrances, that are directly applied to human skin contributing to a local exposure.
- Children’s play paints safety – What is the reality in Portuguese schools and at retail stores?Publication . Rebelo, Andreia; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaChildren’s play paints, an attractive tool for preschool activities, can be classified in artist paints (gouaches, acrylics, watercolors, fingerpaints) and face paints. These products composition is not always known since not all are required to bear their ingredients in the label packaging. The present study aimed to characterize the children’s play paints available in schools and retail stores and also to assess the practices involved in the acquisition, handling and storage of these products by schools and that may have impact on the product quality and safety. For this purpose were studied paints from 8 schools and 7 retail stores from Porto (Portugal), in a total of 17 popular brands. The results shows that the label information differs from product type, taking into account the legal requirements applied to each one (artist paints or face paints). The main hazards stated in the products label are related with the possibility of ingestion of small pieces that are part of the product. Only brands of face paints (60%) mentioned the potential risk to develop allergic reactions or skin irritation problems arising from their application. As regards to school practices, they are aware to the importance in purchasing products suitable for children use however, some of the behaviors during storage and handling of these products may affect their quality and safety.
- Children´s exposure to indoor air: The case of the Childminders homesPublication . Ferreira, Juliana; Santos, Joana; Rodrigues, Matilde; Neves, Paula; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaPoster apresentado no International Congress on Environmental Health 2012 – ICEH 2012