Air quality in Itaguai

What is the current level of air pollution in Itaguaí?

Itaguaí is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro and contains several important iron ore loading ports of the world including Ilha Guaiba. It consists of deep-water berths capable of loading the largest bulk carriers in the world, but has no residents and no road connections, instead, all cargo is transported via a rail network. According to a census conducted in 2020, Itaguaí had an estimated population of approximately 135,000 inhabitants.

Looking back at the IQAir.com figures for late 2021, Itaguaí was experiencing a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 62. This United States Air Quality Index number is calculated using the levels of six of the most prolific air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and both sizes of particulate matter, which are PM2.5 and PM10. It can then be used as the metric when comparing air quality in other cities around the world. If data is unavailable for all 6 pollutants, a figure can still be calculated by using what figures there are. In Itaguaí, only PM2.5 was measured which was 17.1 µg/m³.

When air pollution is classed as being “Moderate” the given advice would be to remain indoors, closing all windows and doors to prevent the ingress of more polluted air. Those who are more sensitive to poor air quality should reduce the amount of time spent outside and wear a good quality mask if this is unavoidable.

Does the level of air quality vary much throughout the year in Itaguaí?

During 2020, the figures released show that for eleven months of the year, Itaguaí was subject to “Moderate” air quality with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³. Only during the month of March did the air quality deteriorate into the “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” category with a recorded reading of 43.0 µg/m³. The months with the cleanest air were May and July with readings of 13.9 µg/m³ for both months.

Records regarding air pollution were first held in 2019 when a figure of 21.6 µg/m³ was noted. This improved in 2021 when that figure was 20.1 µg/m³. However, this reading may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as many vehicles were no longer in daily use because the offices were closed, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Many factories and non-essential production units were also required to close which removed their emissions from the atmosphere, albeit on a temporary basis.

What is the main source of air pollution in Itaguaí?

Any substance present in the air which, due to its concentration, may make it inappropriate, harmful or offensive to health is considered a pollutant, causing inconvenience to the public welfare, damage to materials, fauna and flora or harmful to safety, to the use and enjoyment of property and the normal activities of the community.

Particulate material (PM), total suspended particles (PTS), inhalable particles (PM10), fine inhalable particles (PM2.5) and smoke. Under the general name of Particulate Material is a set of pollutants consisting of dust, smoke and all types of solid and liquid material that remain suspended in the atmosphere because of their small size. The main sources of particulate emissions into the atmosphere are: automotive vehicles, industrial processes, biomass burning and re-suspension of dust from the ground, amongst others.

“Photochemical oxidants” is the name given to the mixture of secondary pollutants formed by reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight, the latter being released in burning incompleteness and evaporation of fuels and solvents. The main product of this reaction is ozone, which is why it is used as a parameter indicating the presence of photochemical oxidants in the atmosphere. Such pollutants form the so-called photochemical mist or “photochemical smog”, which has this name because it causes a decrease in visibility in the atmosphere.

In Brazil, industries were the main source of pollution until the 1980s. But, in the 1990s, many companies moved to the interior and vehicles became the main source of pollutants in urban conglomerates.

The main source of pollution in the city is the burning of fossil fuels from petroleum followed by coal.

What can be done to improve air quality in Itaguaí?

A large population means more occupied areas which results in fewer green areas, more cars in circulation and more waste production.

The bicycle is a low-cost means of transport, it does not pollute and, as it is physical exercise, it also contributes to your health. It is worth noting that, in order for more people to add this habit to their usual routine, it is necessary to charge the public authorities for an urban landscape project that includes safe cycle lanes, traffic signalling and education, so that drivers know and respect the cyclists' rights.

Proportionally, a car with just one person pollutes more than a car with two. Because of this, car sharing or “carpooling” is an effective way to reduce the impacts of private cars on the environment. As with the use of public transport, it means that fewer cars are on the streets, reducing traffic and pollution, in addition to being a way of making the local community more integrated. The more people helping each other, the better it is for everyone.

Urban afforestation is more than necessary for a cleaner and healthier atmosphere, especially in a country like Brazil, where around 80 per cent of the population lives in urban areas. More trees mean not only air with less pollutants, but also a more regulated climate since the shade of trees reduces the temperature of the asphalt, for example, by up to 2°C. It brings thermal comfort in a natural way, reduces consumption of electricity, increases the relative humidity of the air and reduces the speed of the wind.

What are the health impacts of breathing dirty air in Itaguaí?

According to a survey released in May by the World Health Organisation (WHO), nine out of 10 people in the world breathe polluted air. In Brazil, it is responsible for the death of 50,000 people each year, for causing diseases such as lung cancer, heart attack and stroke.

People who live in areas with very dirty air may experience symptoms that are easy to notice, such as dry throat and mouth, shortness of breath and coughing – the body's attempts to flush out intruders that enter the respiratory system. Other signs are silent: increased risk of heart attack, obesity, memory impairment and even impact on fertility.