A microenvironmental modelling methodology to assess children’s exposure to indoor air pollution in Porto, Portugal.
PTBS BRANCO, et al.
Abstract – Assessing children’s exposure to indoor air pollution is an emergent area of research, and also an increasing political and scientific concern. During their daily routine, children move through different locations (microenvironments), where they are exposed to different levels of air pollutants that can cause adverse effects on their health, like asthma and other respiratory diseases. Several methods and approaches are available to assess personal exposure.
This paper presents: i) a review of the study designs and input data requirements needed to assess air pollutant levels on microenvironments (home indoor, home outdoor, school indoor, school outdoor, in transit); and ii) the microenvironmental modelling methodology developed to assess children’sexposure to indoor air pollution in Porto Metropolitan Area (North of Portugal). This methodology will allow the assessment of children’s exposure, as well as contribute to identify the main pollutants influencing exposure and their sources. Scientific positive contribution and population raise awareness are additional benefits from this study.
