Evaluating environmental quality and associated risks in areas for sport and leisure in a rapidly urbanizing city: the case of the city of Fortaleza, Brazil

Urbanization leads to significant environmental impacts, including the reduction of green spaces, noise pollution, atmospheric pollution, and thermal discomfort. This study aims to evaluate the environmental quality of urban areas used for leisure and sport in Fortaleza, Brazil, a city undergoing rapid urbanization. This research addresses the critical need for understanding urban environmental conditions and their implications for public health and urban planning. Sampling was carried out across two distinct climatic seasons (wet and dry) in 2018, spanning seven weeks in each season (April-June and October-November). The assessment employed multi-indicators, including biological (fungi and bacteria), chemical (particulate matter [PM] and carbonyl compounds), and physical parameters (noise and thermal comfort). Air quality indicators showed the following ranges: PM10 levels varied between 1.12 and 55.85 μg.m-³, PM2.5 levels ranged from 0.69 to 34.43 μg.m-³, and carbonyl compounds were observed at concentrations between 0.85 and 816.37 μg.m-³. Biological indicators included fungi counts ranging from 61.0 to 735 CFUs.m-³ (colony-forming units per cubic meter) and bacterial counts between 142.0 and 2,381.5 CFUs.m-³. Physical indicators measured noise levels at 59.87 to 66.81 dBA and thermal comfort values between 25.31 and 27.18 Discomfort Index (DI). Higher concentrations of atmospheric pollution were observed during the wet season, while thermal comfort was better during the dry season. Noise levels remained relatively constant across seasons. Notably, formaldehyde concentrations at most sampling points posed a high cancer risk, exceeding limits set by regulatory agencies. Three points also presented significant health risks due to PM exposure. The evaluation method combined direct measurements with multivariate statistical techniques to calculate an Environmental Quality Index (EQI), classifying sites as "excellent," "good," or "poor." The findings highlight the influence of factors such as vehicular traffic, vegetation coverage, and building density on environmental quality. These findings highlight the importance of urban design and vegetation in improving environmental quality and supporting public well-being.