Diseases in the respiratory health of the populations close to the blending units in Mage (RJ-Brazil)

Blending is a technique for mixing different residues, enabling them to be applied in cement kilns, replacing the raw material or energy used in the cement manufacturing process. As a result, there is a fear that the potential for air pollution arising from blending will affect the health of populations living close to these companies. In this sense, this research aimed to analyze the respiratory health problems of populations neighboring the blending units in the municipality of Magé, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. For this, air quality data provided by INEA were collected, as well as information about hospitalizations for respiratory diseases, provided by the DATASUS website; and the British Medical Research Council's Respiratory Symptoms questionnaire was applied to selected residents. The results showed the existence of important correlations between respiratory symptoms, air quality and the blend manufacturing process in Magé; presented by the peak in the number of hospitalizations of children and the elderly (451 and 770 respectively) and the mean concentrations of PM higher than the limit recommended by the World Health Organization and particularly in 2009, it was at the peak of the concentration (57μg/m³) and higher than that established by CONAMA. Also, the non-full functioning of the companies' pollutant filtering instruments and the categorical accusations by the residents against the operation, odor and health problems produced by them, reveal a troubled coexistence and dislike with the pollutant activity produced. (author)