VULNERABILIDADE DOS CATADORES DE MATERIAIS RECICLÁVEIS E NÃO RECICLÁVEIS: Uma análise das condições sociais, trabalho e saúde em uma cidade da Baixada Maranhense

Abstract

Introduction: Improper solid waste management represents a significant problem for public health and the environment. In this context, waste pickers play an essential role in the recycling chain, reducing the volume of waste disposed of in landfills and open dumps. However, these workers often face precarious working conditions, with exposure to various occupational and health risks. Objective: To analyze the vulnerabilities related to the social, work, and health conditions of recyclable and non-recyclable waste pickers in Pinheiro, Maranhão. Method: This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, and descriptive-quantitative study conducted with 82 waste pickers, whether affiliated or not with the Recyclable Materials Association of the municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão. Sociodemographic data were collected, along with information on health conditions, use of health services, and occupational risks. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS 2013 program, applying the nonparametric chi-square test of independence to assess associations between the studied variables. Results: The first phase of the research (Article 1), which studied the sociodemographic profile and health conditions, showed that most participants were women (62.2%), self-identified as Black or Brown (70.7%), aged between 21 and 50 years (78.1%). The predominant educational level was low, with 58.5% not having completed elementary school. In terms of income, 85.4% earn less than R$ 1,000 per month, and 73.2% are beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program. The main health complaints included back pain (70.7%) and dermatological problems, such as itching (32.9%) and irritation (30.5%). Despite these difficulties, self-perception of health status was mostly rated as fair (41.5%) or good (35.4%). Access to health services is limited, with 98.8% of the workers relying exclusively on the public health system, which leads many to seek alternative practices. In the second phase of the dissertation (Article 2), which examined working conditions, contact and exposure to hazardous waste, and their associations, it was found that for 56.1% of the waste pickers, recycling is their main source of income, while 61% reported unemployment as a determining factor in entering the activity. The time dedicated to waste picking is significant: 52.4% work six or more hours per day, and 24.4% engage in the activity every day of the week. Occupational risk exposure is high, mainly due to the insufficient use of Personal Protective Equipment, with only 37.8% using gloves, 43.9% using masks, and 2.4% wearing protective coveralls. Accidents involving hospital waste were more frequent among men (38.7%) and individuals who self-identified as Black or Brown. No statistically significant association was found between education, income, and contact or occurrence of accidents with such materials. Conclusion: The results show that recyclable material waste pickers face a reality marked by extreme social and occupational vulnerability, reflecting structural inequalities in the Baixada Maranhense region. Precarious working conditions, low educational levels, and insufficient income accentuate their socioeconomic marginalization. Furthermore, the lack of adequate access to health services and constant exposure to occupational risks further worsen their condition of vulnerability.