Relação entre a concentração de material particulado e doenças respiratórias no município de Belém-PA

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution, accompanied by worsening climate change, is one of the greatest environmental threats to human health, especially for the most vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children. Changes in the industrial and transport sectors, as well as changes in land cover and use, considerably alter the concentrations of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. In Brazil, and especially in the north and central-west regions, the dry season is marked by high levels of heat sources. Fires emit a mixture of gases and particles that considerably alter the concentrations and composition of the atmosphere. These emissions, together with emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels, release large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHG) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the atmosphere, causing a major impact on air quality and affecting the health of populations. However, the relationship between these emissions and their impacts on health still requires studies in the municipality of Belém. In this sense, this work sought to relate the effects of the concentration of particulate matter on a set of respiratory diseases in the municipality of Belém. In this work, data from the variables of PM2.5, precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction from the Integrated Health Environmental Information System (SISAM) and disease registration data obtained from the Department of Informatics System platform were used. Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS). The study sought statistical relationships between these variables considering the period from 2003 to 2019. To verify the relationship between meteorological variables and respiratory diseases, Pearson's linear correlation coefficients were calculated. In the results, the respiratory diseases that most affected adults according to the correlation established in the Pearson coefficient between the monthly lag MP and Disease Registry were: in the first semester Tuberculosis and Bronchitis emphysema; in the second semester Pneumonia, Asthma, Tuberculosis, Acute bronchitis and Emphysema bronchitis. The respiratory diseases that most affected children (<9 years old) according to the correlation established in the Pearson coefficient between the monthly lag MP and Disease Registry were: in the first semester Tuberculosis; in the second semester Pneumonia, Asthma, Acute bronchitis and Tuberculosis. The correlation established in the Pearson coefficient between the monthly MP lag and the Record of diseases among Adults and Children increased by 20%. In this study, analyzing the time series on the relationship between disease records and PM2.5, more frequent cases of Pneumonia and Asthma were found in adults and children (<9 years). Continuing studies of fine particle emissions (PM2.5) and their relationship with health, mainly due to respiratory causes, is necessary; as it has been little explored in Eastern Amazonia. The availability of monitored data for research can be used as parameters to assess air quality and its impacts on the health of the population. In this way, decision makers can establish partnerships with research institutions, government agencies, and financial institutions with the aim of creating effective public policies that meet the needs of the Amazonian population, promoting social, economic and environmental improvement. With this aim, a proposal to improve the health surveillance action plan on monitoring PM2.5 in the municipality of Belém/PA was prepared for the Municipal Health Department of Belém SESMA/PA.