METAIS ASSOCIADOS AO MATERIAL PARTICULADO NA REGIÃO CENTRAL DA CIDADE DE GOIÂNIA E OS POSSÍVEIS AGRAVOS À SAÚDE DA POPULAÇÃO

Abstract

All forms of environmental pollution are potentially harmful to human health, fauna, flora and environment in general. Air pollution, understood as the presence of various substances in the atmosphere, altering its natural composition, making it dangerous for all living beings which depend on it, has received increasing attention. The diversity of pollutants and their concentration in the atmosphere is quite broad and complex. For this reason, and considering other aspects such as the toxicological profile of pollutants and the main sources of atmospheric emissions, several countries have set standards of air quality for specific groups of pollutants. In Brazil, there are standards for seven pollutants (CO, SO2, NO2, O3, PTS, PM10 (all acronyms are in Portuguese), and smoke). This research focus on the characterization of the concentration of PTS in the atmosphere, especially the occurrence of metals associated with these particles and the possible injuries to human health. To fulfill this purpose it was necessary to make the collection of material particles in the central region of Goiania - GO, during the winter of 2011. The analysis was set for metals: Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, Pb, and Zn. The collection of PTS was performed through the Sampler of Great Volume (AGV in Portuguese) method and through the detection of metals, with the application of spectrometry of optical emission with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES in Portuguese). The results showed a concentration of PTS which at no time exceeded the primary standard for this pollutant, as defined by the CONAMA Resolution 03/90, different reality when the pattern established by the Decree 1.745/79 of the State of Goiás was observed, which demonstrated that for six times the concentrations PTS were above this standard. The average concentration of metals in the twenty-two samples of material particles resulted in values which were considered low in relation to the standards proposed by international agencies and institutions (EPA, ASTDR, and OMS in Portuguese), and, similarly, when compared to the occurrence of metals in material particle in other cities in the country. Human exposure to metals, especially those considered toxic, in high concentrations, or even in low ones but for a long period of time, can cause severe consequences to health, ranging from simple allergic reactions to diseases like cancer that can lead to death. Through the generated, we can conclude that, in general, the air quality in the region observed by the research varies from good to regular, and that the concentrations of metals associated with PTS does not present a significant threat to the health of the population.