Author:

• Leandro Vargas Barreto de Carvalho - Carvalho, L.V.B - <leandro.carvalho@ensp.fiocruz.br>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-7477

Co-author(s):

• Flávio Rocha - Rocha, F - <flavio.rps@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2769-8977
• Renan Finamore - Finamore, R. - <renan.finamore@gmail.com>
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5835-4771

Abstract:

Popular environmental surveillance (PES) promotes the protagonism of people under environmental vulnerability situation in producing and evaluating data of the pollution they are exposed to. The aim of this work was to analyze PES experiences developed in two areas impacted by steel industry: Santa Cruz/RJ and Piquiá de Baixo/MA. At these sites, community environmental monitoring (CEM) activities were held to measure 2.5 micrometer particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the atmosphere, between November/2016 and July/2017. Such activities were carried out using an air quality monitor of low cost and easy operation. Monthly averages of PM2.5 levels in Piquiá and Santa Cruz were high, depending on the evaluated period, since they surpassed the annual average recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 10 μg/m3, and, on several occasions, the recommended daily average of 25 μg/m3. The main idea of this monitoring proposal was to establish a process capable of presenting a counterpoint to official information on local atmospheric pollution scenarios, with the engagement of affected communities. The pollution data produced in the PES help these communities to take part in public debates and decision-making processes, in a more qualified way.

Keywords:

Environmental popular surveillance, community environmental monitoring, air pollution, particulate matter.

Content:

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