![]() ![]() Shipping PM consists mainly on fine to ultrafine fraction (e.g. Recent results indicated that 30% to 40% of the particulate matter from shipping is emitted as a primary source and 60% to 70% as secondary. The economic costs associated with these health effects could be considerably reduced by decreasing the atmospheric concentration of particulate matter. Exposure to PM 10-2.5 during gestation, regardless gestational stage, was associated with below-average birth weight infants. Back in 2013, the International Cancer Research Agency, classified diesel engines exhaust particulate matter, as a Group I carcinogen. Respiratory and cardiopulmonary problems, increased hospitalization, and mortality rates, especially due to lung cancer, are already associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5). Īlthough clinical studies related to UFP exposure are still not enough for unequivocal conclusions regarding their toxicity, they highlight that their effects should not be neglected. On the other hand, results from several studies advise that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of UFP may be responsible for reduced lung function and/or aggravation of respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the few epidemiological studies carried out on the effect of UFP on the mortality rate have revealed inconsistent results, and the authors claim that more years of studies are needed to draw more precise conclusions. According to this study, a positive correlation, even though not statistically significant, has been observed between prolonged exposure to UFP and mortality due to breathing problems. Knowledge on UFP health effects is limited because they are not usually measured. Because of their small size, UFP can be associated with increased reactivity and toxicity, being also capable of crossing the cell membranes and damage intracellular proteins, organelles and DNA. Once they enter the human body, due to their small size, they rapidly reach the bloodstream and spread through all organs. ![]() ![]() The UFP ingress into the human body is mainly processed by respiratory, dermal and ingestion ways. While the impacts on health of PM 10 and PM 2.5 are well scientifically recognized, studies on UFP health impacts are scarce. Shipping emerged as an important source of air pollution in coastal areas mainly associated with the large quantities of particulate matter (PM) emitted and the consequent implications on air quality and human health. During the past decades MT registered a significant global increase which is expected to continue over the coming decades, leading to the increase of research on its environmental impacts (e.g. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, more than 80% of world trade is carried by sea. Maritime transportation (MT) is widely used for passenger carriage, for touristic purposes and for international or intercontinental transport of goods. Moreover, negative correlations (r = -0.85 to r = -0.93) between PNC and wind intensity were also found. Results show an increase in PNC ranging from 25 to 197% during the third minute around a ferry movement and are moderate to positive significant correlations between PNC values and the number of ferry operations (r = 0.79 to r = 0.94), showing that UFP emitted by in-land ferries contributes to PNC increase. Based on data collected, correlation analysis was performed between ferry’s traffic and particle number counting (PNC) of UFP, and also with meteorological variables. The sampling sites were chosen in order to maximize measurements under downwind conditions and allow the association between ferry operation and UFP concentration response. The UFP monitoring campaign was carried out from September to December 2018 for 19 non-consecutive periods. This work aims to study the influence of in-land ferries activities on UFP in the urban/suburban areas near ferries’ terminals and downwind across the cruising path. Moreover, the negative effects of UFP on human health and environment are known and therefore, monitoring UFP produced by ferries is vital to assess the degree of exposure of who work or live close to ferries’ terminals or downwind to their cruising path. In-land passenger ferry is a source of UFP far less addressed however, in locations with relatively high frequency of this transportation mode, it is expected that they contribute to an increase of their concentration. ![]() Akron Beacon Journal Akron Akron Legal News Akron Akron.Maritime transportation, widely used both in international transport of goods and touristic purposes, has been identified as a significant source of ultrafine particles (UFP). ![]()
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