Effect of Air Pollution on Children?s Health. Comparative Study between La Plata and Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

J. E. COLMAN LERNER; A. MORALES; M. AGUILAR; D. GIULIANI; V. DODERO; L. MASSOLO; J. DITONDO; E. Y. SÁNCHEZ; N. MATAMOROS; A. PORTA

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

Wessex Institute of Technology and University of the west

Año: 2014 vol. 181

1743-3541

We present the results of a study of outdoor air quality in two comparable regions of Buenos Aires province (Argentina), La Plata and Bahía Blanca, developed jointly by researchers of National University in both cities, and of the Hospital of Bahía Blanca, between 2009 and 2011. Both regions are characterized by a large petrochemical complex and a village with outstanding traffic. In this study, we measure levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter suspended in air (PM) in air outdoor and affectation of respiratory system in children between 6 and 12 years. Also, analysis of the effect of the air pollution exposure was done thought the calculation of potentially increased life time cancer risk (LCR) in children. In both regions, including three areas: urban, industrial and residential (reference area), 20 VOCs were sampled by passive monitoring (3M 3500), and determined by GC/FID, comprising n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, chlorinated compounds, terpenoids and ketones; particulate matter (PM10) was token using a low flow sampler MiniVol TAS, and spirometry were performed, using a portable spirometer.