Avaliação de risco a saúde humana por exposição ambiental a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos monocíclicos : estudo de caso / Avaliação de risco a saúde humana por exposição ambiental a hidrocarbonetos aromáticos monocíclicos : estudo de caso

AUTOR(ES)

Miriam dos Anjos Santos

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

Soil and underground water contamination with hydrocarbon compounds can occur as a consequence of leak from the underground storage tanks in fuel service stations. The detection of these leaks normally does not occur immediately neither they are communicated to the responsible public authorities, which do not adequately check the conditions of the service stations. In 2002, a storage tank leak from a fuel station in the Federal District, Brazil, contaminated the soil and the underground water, reaching a residential area nearby. The present work had the objective to perform a risk assessment study in the area, focusing on the health aspects of the exposed population, using the ATSDR methodology (adapted for the Brazilian experience). Data from the environmental reports produced by the Distributer responsible for the fuel station, results of laboratory exams performed in the affected population and of the focal group discussions were used to conduct the study. A conceptual model was built and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to the exposure to benzene contaminated underground water and food were estimated. The contaminated area was categorized as Level A due to urgent risk to human health. The estimated total benzene exposure exceeded the safe levels for non-carcinogenic effects for all age ranges; additional carcinogenic risk was estimated to be up to 22 case per 100.000 inhabitants. Adult women and children up to 1 year old were found to be at higher risk, mainly due to the dermal contact to contaminated water. The most prevalent laboratory exam alterations found within the population was the decrease of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mycrocitose. Discussion in the focal groups showed the exposed population concerns regarding their health and the lack of risk communication from the polluter and the public authorities regarding all aspects related to the accident. Most of the results obtained in this study do not diverge from those found by the Distributer using other risk assessment methodologies. In both cases, the evaluation might have under estimated the exposure due to the lack of data, including benzene concentration in the air and/or in food of animal origin consumed by the population. Although it has been seven years since the accident, there is still a need to keep monitoring the affected population in order to early identifying possible adverse affects related to benzene exposure.

ASSUNTO(S)

exposição ambiental ciencias da saude saúde humana btex avaliação de risco

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