The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Petrochemical Pollution of the City Council of São Paulo will ask the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) to carry out a new study on the incidence of diseases related to pollution among residents of neighborhoods in the east zone neighboring the Pole Petrochemical of Capuava. The information, disclosed by the Chamber, was given by the rapporteur of the CPI, Marcelo Messias (MDB), in a hearing this Thursday (1st). The measure will be adopted after the publication of a study that pointed out that the possibility of developing thyroid disease is not related to living close to the complex. The epidemiological inquiry requested by the CPI to the Coordination of Health Surveillance (Covisa) – which is linked to the Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) – was presented this Thursday (1st) in the legislative house. The rapporteur Marcelo Messias defended the performance of new studies. “The result of the survey was not favourable, and the methodology and the way it was done was different from other works presented and so there is a certain doubt whether the presented is what is really happening in the region. This made me worried, because different methodology gives different results. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a new research with the same methodology as other studies”, he said at the time. He highlighted the high percentage of people (77%) who reported discomfort with pollution in the region. According to him, with this index, other diseases must affect this population and measures must be taken so that these people have quality of life. In a statement, the Municipal Health Department (SMS) reported that it has not been proven that residing in the exposure area increases the likelihood of illness from this cause. At the meeting at the City Council, the director of Covisa’s Environmental Health Surveillance Division, Magali Batista, reported that the study was directed only at problems related to the thyroid and had as its methodology random sampling through drawing lots. “The conclusion is that in this study it was not possible to say that there is a higher prevalence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in residents around the petrochemical complex”, said the director at the time, adding that the municipality will monitor the region and sensitize professionals at basic units (UBS) in the surrounding area to have a closer look at cases of thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease characterized by thyroid inflammation caused by a failure of the immune system. The body starts to manufacture antibodies against the cells, destroying the thyroid gland or reducing its activity. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the main cause of hypothyroidism, which is the thyroid functioning at a lower rate, producing less T4 hormone. According to SMS data, a total of 3,703 residents of the related areas were interviewed, with 77% referring to other annoyances such as the constant presence of smoke, dust, soot, odors and noise resulting from activities carried out at the pole. Of the total number of respondents, 879 people who reported three or more symptoms of thyroid disease were referred for examinations and medical evaluation, and, of these, 656 sought health units. In a report released by the Chamber, among the study participants, 165 had alterations in the thyroid gland, with females having the highest incidence. The president of the CPI on Pollution, councilor Alessandro Guedes (PT), also showed concern about the population’s reports regarding pollution in the area. “When we talk about air pollution, we don’t just talk about thyroiditis, we talk about other problems, including cancer, which in this survey was not addressed due to the production deadline for this survey. But this work has to continue, we point out the problem, and the municipality now has to adopt a health protocol to capture not only the action of thyroiditis, but also other problems related to atmospheric pollution”, he said at the meeting. CPI The purpose of the CPI for Petrochemical Pollution is to investigate complaints about pollution and environmental contamination around the Capuava Petrochemical Complex, which may be jeopardizing the health of residents of the east zone of the city of São Paulo, located close to the pole. The Capuava Refinery began operations in December 1954, under the name Refinaria e Exploração de Petróleo União. In 1974, Petrobras incorporated the unit and renamed it Refinaria de Capuava. The installation of the refinery led to the emergence of a petrochemical complex in its surroundings, formed by several companies that feed, for example, chemical and plastic industries. There is a specific channel to collect contributions and manifestations from people who live in the region and who suffer the consequences of pollution, by email [email protected] or this link. Contacted by Agência Brasil, the Industrial Development Committee of the Greater ABC Complex (COFIP-ABC), which brings together companies operating within the Capuava Petrochemical Complex, confirmed that it was aware of the results of the epidemiological survey carried out by Covisa. “COFIP-ABC will monitor, through the appropriate channels, the unfolding of the conclusion of the epidemiological survey. Whenever necessary, COFIP ABC will exercise its institutional support role, promoting dialogue between its associates and the general public. We reinforce that the objective of COFIP is to promote sustainable development, dialogue with the community and public authorities, and also establish relationships with the entire production chain”, he said in a note. Petrobras said it would not comment on the matter.
Agência Brasil
Folha Nobre - Desde 2013 - ©