O Conflito Socioambiental e a Saúde na Cidade dos Meninos, Periferia de Duque de Caxias-RJ

Abstract

The general objective of this dissertation is to analyze, from an ethnographic perspective, the evolution of socioenvironmental conflict in the Cidade dos Meninos, identifying the origin of the problem, the actors involved and the health consequences of the population exposed to environmental contamination by organochlorine compounds of five decades, and showing the social feelings of those affected. This study is not limited to presenting the risks and the environmental impacts that can affect the health of the population of the Cidade dos Meninos and perhaps the surrounding population, but above all, to demonstrate that the affected population has rights, making visible the injustices and the procrastination of the resolution of the socio-environmental conflict. Environmental injustice is understood as the mechanism by which unequal societies, from an economic and social point of view, place the greatest burden of environmental damage on development on low-income populations, discriminated racial groups, traditional ethnic peoples, working-class neighborhoods, to marginalized and vulnerable populations (ACSELRAD et al., 2004). The methodology used was the qualitative research, with an ethnographic basis, focused on the case study. In the present case, the socioenvironmental conflict in Cidade dos Meninos, shows the land issue as the main focus of attention, considering the valorization of the area because it is well located in a privileged way in the middle of the main highways and with the possibility of economic and industrial development for the municipality, and residents are expected to be withdrawn as justification for environmental remediation, since Cidade dos Meninos remained forgotten and invisible for decades. On the other hand, the population that for a long time resisted the pressures, identifying itself with the territory and most of them possessing the desire to stay in the place, even knowing of the contamination, continues to await the recognition of their rights and remains vulnerable, living with the risks and uncertainties.