Quality Air Monitoring in a Brazilian University: The Use of Passive Samplers

The aim of this paper is to monitor the air pollution at Campus I of Passo Fundo University, south Brazil, focusing on atmospheric pollutants SO_x, NO₂ and O₃. To monitor the air quality we used passive samplers placed in several locations in the university campus, namely: energy generator, pool heating boiler, entrance porch, an exhaustion chamber and a place with less anthropic influence to represent the blank. The monitoring period went monthly from July 2012 to March 2014. After monitoring the sample’s membranes with absorbing solutions were analysed in the laboratory, by analytical methods specific for each gas. The results obtained for NO₂, O₃ e SO_x from all monitoring sites varied between 0.11–8.20, 0.66–9.50 and 0–1594 µg/m³, respectively. The results of the various monitoring locations on campus were, with the exception of SO_x, below those recommended by the legislation. It was also observed that the energy generator was the site where pollution was highest. Thus, it is recommended that combustion gases are treated before they are discharged into the atmosphere. Finally, by showing a case study, this paper emphasizes the importance of monitoring the environmental aspects from the different activities in the university campus.