Qualidade do ar e suas implicações na saúde da comunidade de Vila Maranhão, São Luís (MA)

Abstract

Air pollution has become a risk factor for human health, especially in the industrialized urban centers. Vila Maranhão neighborhood in São Luís (MA), because of its proximity to the industrial district, is more likely to be affected by air pollution. This paper analyzes the relationship between air quality and the prevalence of respiratory diseases for the residents of Vila Maranhão neighborhood. The study was descriptive and exploratory sectional with qualitative and quantitative approach. The sample was representative of 153 homes. We used questionnaire for analysis of socioeconomic conditions, health, environmental and health of residents. To survey the morbidity and mortality from respiratory diseases in the neighborhood, the data were used available from Secretaria de Saúde do Município (SEMUS) and through the database Sistema de Informação Hospitalar ( Hospital Information System) SIH / DATASUS, from 2006 to 2013. Data air quality were obtained from the monitoring station of Vale S / A, 2009- 2013.I thas been identified and located, the sources with atmospheric pollution potential and assessed the possible relationship between the emitted pollutants and health effects on residents. It was observed that the degree of correlation between deaths / admissions for respiratory diseases and concentration of air pollutants (particulate matter) were statistically very weak (r <0.04 and p <0.05). It was noticed also that the average annual hospitalizations / deaths from respiratory diseases to residents in Vila Maranhão neighborhood, in the period from 2006 to 2013, reached small indices in relation to the city of São Luís for the same period. With the initial data collected could not confirm a direct and unique relationship between injury due to respiratory diseases and air quality in the area. Secondary data monitoring air quality in the region may have contributed, as well as the underreporting of admissions, given that the studied population refers to the share of residents in Vila Maranhão treated SUS, getting unregistered served by the private sector health, those who do not seek medical care and the lack of pollutant dispersion study. But the study showed evidence of this relationship, with the need to conduct further studies on the subject. It should be evaluating the correlation with other aspects of which types of pollution sources, types of households, climatic elements, wind direction for a more detailed analysis of disorders and place of residence.