Air Pollution and Health Impacts of Wildfire Seasons: Insights from Northern Portugal Bela Barros, Marta Oliveira, Simone Morais Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2025 Wildfires emit significant amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere, which can cause a range of health effects, from acute symptoms to increased emergency visits, hospital admissions, and even mortality in the general population. This study aimed to characterize, for the first time, the associations between wildfire season with indicators of public human health surveillance in the Northern region of Portugal (2019–2022). Daily air pollutant data [particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm (PM₁₀) and 2.5 µm (PM₂.₅), ozone (O₃), and itrogen dioxide (NO₂)], monthly emergency room visits, and regional expenses with medication dispensing were characterized and mortality impacts were estimated. Wildfire season was responsible for higher PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ (up to + 90%), O₃ (up to + 51%), and NO₂ (up to + 39%); some days (up to 8%) surpassed limits established by national regulations and/or WHO guidelines. The total burned area correlated with monthly levels of PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, and O₃ (0.467 < r < 0.943; p ≤ 0.039). Wildfire season months presented more emergency visits to urgent care (up to + 128%; p > 0.05) and regional monthly health costs due to outpatient medication for blood volume and electrolyte imbalance (+ 12–31%; p > 0.05). During wildfire season, the number of urgent pediatric visits correlated with O₃ levels (r = 0.606, p = 0.013). During large forest fires (> 100 hectares), a maximum of 36 and 330 estimated deaths were attributed, respectively, to short-term and long-term exposure to PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, O₃, and NO₂ above WHO guidelines. The findings highlight the need to improve wildfire management and public health policies, including through a stronger engagement of the general population, and promote the implementation of more effective preventive and mitigation strategies to protect the health of affected communities during wildfire season.
Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks Joana Teixeira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Alice Santos-Silva, Francisca Rodrigues, Marta Oliveira Fire, 2025 Background: An effective risk assessment and management methodology is essential to minimize/mitigate health risks associated with firefighting activities. The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is mandatory during structure fires to protect firefighters from hazardous fire effluents, yet the protectiveness of the SCBA system has rarely been evaluated. Objective: This study characterizes, for the first time, the levels of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inside the SCBA facemask, during 7 structure-firefighting exercises and estimates associated respiratory risks. Methods: Cotton disk samples were collected via passive air sampling and analyzed using liquid chromatography with fluorescence and UV–Vis detection. Results: Levels of total PAHs (∑PAHs: 9.17–29.6 ng/m3) and ∑PAHscarcinogenic (0.41–5.73 ng/m3) were below the occupational limits defined by governmental agencies. The low-molecular-weight PAHs were predominant (79.5–91.4%), and the (possible/known) carcinogenic naphthalene (0.26–2.00 ng/m3), anthracene (0.088–0.31 ng/m3), chrysene (0.046–0.39 ng/m3), benzo(b+j)fluoranthene (0.18–0.40 ng/m3), and benzo(a)pyrene (0.041–0.18 ng/m3) were detected in all samples. The respiratory health risk analysis demonstrated negligible risks associated with the inhalation of PAHs. A health principal component analysis could identify firefighters at increased respiratory risk. Conclusions: The effectiveness of SCBA was demonstrated, reinforcing the need to ensure its correct use during all the phases of structure fires, including during overhaul.
Impact of Fire Emissions and Tobacco Consumption on the Salivary Content of Metal (loid) s and PAHs: Exposure Levels and Assessment of Oral and Intestinal In Vitro Toxicity G Sousa, J Teixeira, MJ Bessa, C Delerue-Matos, B Sarmento, M Oliveira, ... Biological Trace Element Research 204 (5), 2968-2982 , 2026 2026
Micronucleus assay in buccal and urothelial epithelial cells of wildland firefighters exposed to wildfire smoke F Esteves, J Madureira, B Barros, S Alves, J Vaz, M Oliveira, K Slezakova, ... Journal of Hazardous Materials, 140427 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Morphological and elemental characterization of fine and ultrafine particulate matter generated from fires G Sousa, R Azevedo, A Almeida, S Morais, C Delerue-Matos, X Wang, ... Environmental Research, 123281 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Activités de lutte contre les incendies de forêt et biomarqueurs biologiques précoces chez les pompiers M Oliveira, S Morais, C Delerue-Matos Archives des Maladies Professionnelles et de l'Environnement 86 (5), 102889 , 2025 2025
Exposure assessment outside and inside firefighters’ respiratory protection system: Levels of PAHs and associated in vitro toxicity J Teixeira, M Bessa, C Delerue-Matos, B Sarmento, A Santos-Silva, ... MDPI , 2025 2025
Impact of wildfire emissions exposure on the associations between levels of lung injury, lipid peroxidation, DNA oxidation, and exposure biomarkers B Barros, AM Paiva, R Azevedo, S Alves, F Esteves, A Fernandes, J Vaz, ... Science of the Total Environment 993, 180012 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Impact of occupational exposure to wildfire events on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese wildland firefighters F Esteves, J Madureira, B Barros, S Alves, J Pires, S Martins, M Oliveira, ... Environmental Research 277, 121608 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Air Pollution and Health Impacts of Wildfire Seasons: Insights from Northern Portugal B Barros, M Oliveira, S Morais Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 236 (7), 406 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during structure fires: Concentrations outside and inside self-contained breathing apparatus and in vitro respiratory toxicity J Teixeira, MJ Bessa, C Delerue-Matos, B Sarmento, A Santos-Silva, ... Environmental Pollution 373, 126112 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Effectiveness of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus: An Observational Study on Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Associated Respiratory Risks J Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, A Santos-Silva, F Rodrigues, M Oliveira Fire 8 (5), 182 , 2025 2025
Occupational exposure to wildland firefighting and its effects on systemic DNA damage F Esteves, J Madureira, C Costa, J Pires, B Barros, S Alves, J Vaz, ... International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 266, 114576 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Actinidia arguta: A Natural Ally in Cutaneous Melanoma combat F Teixeira, M Oliveira, F Rodrigues MDPI , 2025 2025
Characterization of Firefighters’ Respiratory Health Risks During Training Structure Fires: An Exploratory Approach J Teixeira, F Rodrigues, AS Silva, C Delerue-Matos, M Oliveira Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VI: Volume 1: Occupational … , 2025 2025
Biomonitoring of firefighters' exposure to priority pollutant metal (loid) s during wildland fire combat missions: Impact on urinary levels and health risks AM Paiva, B Barros, R Azevedo, M Oliveira, S Alves, F Esteves, ... Science of the Total Environment 953, 176105 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
The BioFirEx Project: Exposure and health impacts of forest fire emissions on Portuguese wildland firefighters B Barros, AM Paiva, M Oliveira, S Alves, F Esteves, A Fernandes, J Vaz, ... Book of Abstracts, 23 , 2024 2024
Environmental contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and contribution from biomonitoring studies to the surveillance of global health J Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, S Morais, M Oliveira Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 (42), 54339-54362 , 2024 2024 Citations: 50
Characterization of wildland firefighters’ exposure to coarse, fine, and ultrafine particles; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and metal (loid) s, and estimation of associated … J Teixeira, G Sousa, R Azevedo, A Almeida, C Delerue-Matos, X Wang, ... Toxics 12 (6), 422 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and short-time health effects in wildland firefighters during real-life fire events AM Paiva, B Barros, M Oliveira, S Alves, F Esteves, A Fernandes, J Vaz, ... Science of the Total Environment 926, 171801 , 2024 2024 Citations: 23
Gravimetric, morphological, and chemical characterization of fine and ultrafine particulate matter inside fire stations G Sousa, J Teixeira, R Azevedo, A Almeida, C Delerue-Matos, S Morais, ... Building and Environment 255, 111403 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the environment and human health: Evidence retrieved from biomonitoring studies J Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, S Morais, M Oliveira Proceedings Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 102 (1), 18 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Children environmental exposure to particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and biomonitoring in school environments: A review on indoor and outdoor exposure … M Oliveira, K Slezakova, C Delerue-Matos, MC Pereira, S Morais Environment international 124, 180-204 , 2019 2019 Citations: 399
Carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter PA Demers, DM DeMarini, KW Fent, DC Glass, J Hansen, O Adetona, ... The Lancet Oncology 23 (8), 985-986 , 2022 2022 Citations: 307
Espresso coffee residues: a valuable source of unextracted compounds R Cruz, MM Cardoso, L Fernandes, M Oliveira, E Mendes, P Baptista, ... Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 60 (32), 7777-7784 , 2012 2012 Citations: 298
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at fire stations: firefighters’ exposure monitoring and biomonitoring, and assessment of the contribution to total internal dose M Oliveira, K Slezakova, MJ Alves, A Fernandes, JP Teixeira, ... Journal of hazardous materials 323, 184-194 , 2017 2017 Citations: 117
Intra-and interspecific mineral composition variability of commercial instant coffees and coffee substitutes: Contribution to mineral intake M Oliveira, S Casal, S Morais, C Alves, F Dias, S Ramos, E Mendes, ... Food Chemistry 130 (3), 702-709 , 2012 2012 Citations: 110
Firefighters’ occupational exposure: Contribution from biomarkers of effect to assess health risks B Barros, M Oliveira, S Morais Environment international 156, 106704 , 2021 2021 Citations: 108
Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects M Oliveira, S Costa, J Vaz, A Fernandes, K Slezakova, C Delerue-Matos, ... Journal of hazardous materials 383, 121179 , 2020 2020 Citations: 108
Espresso beverages of pure origin coffee: Mineral characterization, contribution for mineral intake and geographical discrimination M Oliveira, S Ramos, C Delerue-Matos, S Morais Food Chemistry 177, 330-338 , 2015 2015 Citations: 84
Environmental particulate matter levels during 2017 large forest fires and megafires in the center region of Portugal: A public health concern? M Oliveira, C Delerue-Matos, MC Pereira, S Morais International journal of environmental research and public health 17 (3), 1032 , 2020 2020 Citations: 80
Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor and outdoor air of preschool environments (3–5 years old children) M Oliveira, K Slezakova, C Delerue-Matos, M do Carmo Pereira, S Morais Environmental Pollution 208, 382-394 , 2016 2016 Citations: 79
Firefighters’ exposure biomonitoring: Impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl metabolites M Oliveira, K Slezakova, MJ Alves, A Fernandes, JP Teixeira, ... International Journal of hygiene and Environmental Health 219 (8), 857-866 , 2016 2016 Citations: 77
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in primary school environments: Levels and potential risks M Oliveira, K Slezakova, J Madureira, E de Oliveira Fernandes, ... Science of The Total Environment 575, 1156-1167 , 2017 2017 Citations: 68
Indoor particulate pollution in fitness centres with emphasis on ultrafine particles K Slezakova, C Peixoto, M Oliveira, C Delerue-Matos, ... Environmental Pollution 233, 180-193 , 2018 2018 Citations: 64
Occupational exposure of firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in non-fire work environments M Oliveira, K Slezakova, A Fernandes, JP Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, ... Science of The Total Environment 592, 277-287 , 2017 2017 Citations: 63
Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in preschool children: Levels and impact of preschool indoor air on excretion of main urinary monohydroxyl metabolites M Oliveira, K Slezakova, C Delerue-Matos, M do Carmo Pereira, S Morais Journal of hazardous materials 322, 357-369 , 2017 2017 Citations: 61
Metal accumulation and oxidative stress biomarkers in octopus (Octopus vulgaris) from Northwest Atlantic M Semedo, MA Reis-Henriques, L Rey-Salgueiro, M Oliveira, ... Science of the Total Environment 433, 230-237 , 2012 2012 Citations: 60
Exposure to PAHs during firefighting activities: a review on skin levels, in vitro/in vivo bioavailability, and health risks G Sousa, J Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, B Sarmento, S Morais, X Wang, ... International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19 (19), 12677 , 2022 2022 Citations: 57
Assessment of air quality in preschool environments (3–5 years old children) with emphasis on elemental composition of PM10 and PM2. 5 M Oliveira, K Slezakova, C Delerue-Matos, MC Pereira, S Morais Environmental Pollution 214, 430-439 , 2016 2016 Citations: 55
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: levels and phase distributions in preschool microenvironment M Oliveira, K Slezakova, C Delerue‐Matos, MC Pereira, S Morais Indoor air 25 (5), 557-568 , 2015 2015 Citations: 52
Environmental contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and contribution from biomonitoring studies to the surveillance of global health J Teixeira, C Delerue-Matos, S Morais, M Oliveira Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 (42), 54339-54362 , 2024 2024 Citations: 50
