Prejuízos ao meio ambiente e agravos na saúde das populações vizinhas às unidades de blendagem no município de Magé, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Waste blending is a technique of mixing various wastes, enabling them for application in cement kilns, replacing the raw or energetic material of the cement manufacturing process. There are few studies on this practice, and therefore many uncertainties about the real advantages of this activity. Also, there is the fear of the potential air pollution from the blending, and consequently the health problems due to this pollution. The research aimed to analyze the environmental damage and health problems of populations neighboring the blending units in the municipality of Magé, metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. In conjunction with a literature search, data on air quality provided by INEA, hospitalizations for respiratory diseases provided by the DATASUS website, and health problems of populations surrounding the blending units were collected through the application of the 'British Medical Research Council' questionnaire. . The results of the study showed that the simple correlation between air quality and number of hospitalizations for respiratory diseases does not respond to the fact that blending units are responsible for environmental impacts and health problems, since personal habits can interfere with health data. Then, three groups (neighborhoods) were chosen for questionnaire application. The selected communities were Jardim Esmeralda and Parque Boneville as an exposed group, as they are very close to the blending units A and B and the Raiz da Serra community as a control group, as they are fifteen kilometers away from both units. In addition to complaints about unpleasant smells for the majority of respondents from exposed communities (Jardim Esmeralda - 78.9% and Parque Boneville - 56.2%) were also reported several annoyances felt by respondents from Jardim Esmeralda, which pointed out as the most frequent. headache (22.8%), eye irritation (18.2%) and throat clearing (18.2%). In all age groups the most recurrent symptoms are cough upon waking and cough during the day and night, especially in the interviewed children (71.4%) and the elderly (50%). Uncomfortable senses respondents of the Boneville Park were mainly headache (24.0%), eye irritation (24.0%) and nausea (24.0%). Among children, 80% reported coughing day and night. In the adult population, 62.8% have coughing day and night, and 50% of the elderly mention phlegm on waking up. These results allowed a conclusion by establishing a correlation between respiratory symptoms, air quality and the process of blend formation in Magé.