Air quality modeling in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil: A review.

Numerous studies have used air quality models to estimate pollutant concentrations in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) by using different inputs and assumptions. Our objectives are to summarize these studies, compare their performance, configurations, and inputs, and recommend areas of further research. We examined 29 air quality modeling studies that focused on ozone (O) and fine particulate matter (PM) performed over the MASP, published from 2001 to 2023.

Quantifying the impact of particle matter on mortality and hospitalizations in four Brazilian metropolitan areas.

Air quality management involves investigating areas where pollutant concentrations are above guideline or standard values to minimize its effect on human health. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most studied pollutants, and its relationship with health has been widely outlined. To guide the construction and improvement of air quality policies, the impact of PM on the four Brazilian southeast metropolitan areas was investigated.

Mortality risks due to long-term ambient sulphur dioxide exposure: large variability of relative risk in the literature.

Several studies have been published about the potential health effects due to long-term exposure to sulphur dioxide (SO) and the relative risks (RRs) for different causes of mortality. Broad differences in the RR values are found, however. In this study, we performed an analysis of these studies aiming finding potential explanations for the high variability of the RR reported.

Analysis of PM concentrations under pollutant emission control strategies in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil.

Great efforts have been made over the years to assess the effectiveness of air pollution controls in place in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (MASP), Brazil. In this work, the community multiscale air quality (CMAQ) model was used to evaluate the efficacy of emission control strategies in MASP, considering the spatial and temporal variability of fine particle concentration. Seven different emission scenarios were modeled to assess the relationship between the emission of precursors and ambient aerosol concentration, including a baseline emission inventory, and six sensitivity scenarios with emission reductions in relation to the baseline inventory: a 50% reduction in SO emissions; no SO emissions; a 50% reduction in SO, NO, and NH emissions; no sulfate (PSO) particle emissions; no PSO and nitrate (PNO) particle emissions; and no PNO emissions.

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: comparisons between polluted and unpolluted periods.

The objective of this study was to determine the size and composition of atmospheric aerosols in the downtown area of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, for a polluted and an unpolluted period. Aerosols were sampled with a portable air sampler (PAS), Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI), and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. At the study site, air quality is poor, especially during the winter, high concentrations of pollutants being emitted primarily by the light- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet.