Relação saúde x meio ambiente: os impactos do descarte irregular do lixo no Distrito Sanitário Itaqui-Bacanga, São Luís – MA

Abstract

The aim of the research was to map and characterize areas with irregular waste disposal throughout the Itaqui-Bacanga sanitary district, in the municipality of São Luís - MA. For this purpose, on-site visits were conducted throughout the sanitary district. The identification of irregular waste disposal points was carried out using the GPS (Global Position System) device, and for the elaboration of the mapping and evolution of land use and occupation, the Qgis 3.22.16 LTR software and the MapBiomas platform were used. A total of 52 points of irregular waste disposal were recorded in the Itaqui-Bacanga area, with 15 points forming a kind of "waste belt" along one of the main avenues in the study area. The assessment of land use and occupation indicated that the class of use that increased the most was Urbanized Area, with almost 100% of the dumpsites being located in this area. Among the types of waste found, a predominance of plastics was observed in 100% of the mapped locations, followed by paper/cardboard, domestic waste, glass, pruning residues, and construction waste. The study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, evaluated the level of knowledge regarding irregular waste disposal and its consequences by residents of the Itaqui-Bacanga sanitary district. Through the application of a questionnaire with 97 participants, 14 questions were answered covering topics such as socio-environmental issues related to waste disposal, waste separation, and knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study also investigated the relationship between irregular solid waste disposal and endemic diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Using epidemiological data from the region provided by an official agency, questionnaires were applied to local residents, and multiple regression was applied associating the number of dumpsites per neighborhood with the number of disease cases registered from 2010 to 2021. The research related the points of irregular waste disposal in the study area, whose locations were strongly associated with urban expansion. Epidemiological data indicated 1,583 cases of dengue, 212 of chikungunya, and 231 of Zika virus. The most affected neighborhoods were Vila Embratel and Anjo da Guarda. The application of questionnaires indicated that 99% of the participants perceive health problems associated with the presence of dumpsites. Most associated the presence of waste with dengue. Vila Maranhão and Gapara were the neighborhoods where the majority of the population reported acquiring diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika. With the registration of 52 points of irregular waste disposal in the Itaqui-Bacanga sanitary district, issues associated with the axes of environmental education, infrastructure, and health were identified. The study sought to strengthen the promotion of environmental education by identifying actions and perceptions of residents regarding awareness and the importance of sustainable consumption and responsible disposal as ways to reduce environmental impacts. A comprehensive approach is recommended, involving community sensitization and cooperation between public, private, and community institutions. The research highlights the need for integrated actions to combat irregular waste disposal and protect public health. Institutions from different sectors should collaborate in formulating, implementing, and monitoring measures that have a significant

impact on reducing endemic diseases. This approach is essential to achieve the health and well- being goals established by the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.