RESUMEN

Environmental surveillance by the people fosters the protagonism of individuals in a situation of environmental vulnerability to generate and evaluate data regarding the pollution to which they are exposed. The scope of this work was to analyze such experiences in two areas impacted by the steel industry: Santa Cruz/RJ and Piquiá de Baixo/MA. At these sites, community environmental monitoring (CEM) activities were conducted to measure 2.5 micrometer particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the atmosphere, between November/2016 and July/2017. Such activities were conducted using a low-cost and easy-to-operate air quality monitor. Monthly averages of PM2.5 levels in Piquiá and Santa Cruz were high, depending on the period assessed, 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 involvement of affected communities. The pollution data produced enable these communities to participate in public debates and decision-making processes in a more informed way.

A vigilância popular ambiental (VPA) promove o protagonismo dos sujeitos em situação de vulnerabilidade ambiental na produção e avaliação de dados sobre a poluição a que estão submetidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as experiências de VPA desenvolvidas em duas localidades impactadas por siderúrgicas: Santa Cruz/RJ e Piquiá de Baixo/MA. Nesses locais foram realizadas atividades de monitoramento ambiental comunitário (MAC) dos níveis de material particulado de 2,5 micrômetros (MP2,5) na atmosfera, entre novembro de 2016 e julho de 2017, utilizando equipamento monitor de qualidade do ar de baixo custo e fácil operação. As médias mensais dos níveis de MP2,5 em Piquiá e Santa Cruz foram elevadas, a depender da época avaliada, pois ultrapassaram a média anual recomendada pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), de 10 µg/m3, e por várias vezes a média diária recomendada, de 25 µg/m3. A ideia principal desta proposta de monitoramento consistiu em estabelecer, com o engajamento das comunidades atingidas, um processo capaz de apresentar um contraponto às informações oficiais sobre cenários locais de poluição atmosférica. Os dados de poluição produzidos possibilitam que essas comunidades tenham uma atuação mais qualificada nos espaços públicos de debate e tomada de decisão.

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The phenomenon of globalization and the increase in neo-extractivism in the global periphery intensify the search for new territories and natural resources for the economy, resulting in significant impacts on ecosystems and on the lives of vulnerable populations. It is considered that the environmental crisis imposes new challenges and requires an updating of the theoretical and methodological foundations of collective health and the social determinants of health. The scope of this paper is to present theoretical contributions to the construction of a critical socio-environmental approach from a review of the literature structured around previous work on the mapping of environmental conflicts, and conducting empirical studies in conflicting areas. The contributions of sociology, political ecology, postcolonial studies and geography is summarized for the discussion of the socio-environmental determinants of health, as well as experiences that integrate emancipatory knowledge, political subjects, resistances and alternatives for society.

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O fenômeno da globalização e o crescimento do neoextrativismo na periferia global intensificam a demanda por novos territórios e recursos naturais à economia, resultando em significativos impactos sobre os ecossistemas e a vida das populações vulnerabilizadas. Consideramos que a crise socioambiental impõe novos desafios e exige uma reatualização das bases teórico-metodológicas da saúde coletiva e dos determinantes sociais da saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar aportes teóricos para a construção de um enfoque socioambiental crítico a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica orientada por experiências anteriores de mapeamento de conflitos ambientais e pela realização de estudos empíricos em áreas conflituosas. Apresentamos contribuições de disciplinas como a sociologia, a ecologia política, os estudos pós-coloniais e a geografia, para a discussão da determinação socioambiental da saúde, bem como experiências de construção de conhecimentos emancipatórios que integram sujeitos políticos, resistências e alternativas para a sociedade.

The phenomenon of globalization and the increase in neo-extractivism in the global periphery intensify the search for new territories and natural resources for the economy, resulting in significant impacts on ecosystems and on the lives of vulnerable populations. It is considered that the environmental crisis imposes new challenges and requires an updating of the theoretical and methodological foundations of collective health and the social determinants of health. The scope of this paper is to present theoretical contributions to the construction of a critical socio-environmental approach from a review of the literature structured around previous work on the mapping of environmental conflicts, and conducting empirical studies in conflicting areas. The contributions of sociology, political ecology, postcolonial studies and geography is summarized for the discussion of the socio-environmental determinants of health, as well as experiences that integrate emancipatory knowledge, political subjects, resistances and alternatives for society.

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This article discusses the role of populations affected by environmental injustice situations in the production of knowledge about environmental health stemming from inequalities and discrimination in the distribution of risks and benefits of economic development. Special attention is given to the epistemological and political limits to producing knowledge and alternatives that enable advances in building more just and sustainable societies are highlighted. Based on a broader view of health, the limits of scientific approaches are called into question by acknowledging the importance of local knowledge are discussed, either to analyze environmental risks or their effects on health, including epidemiological studies. These limits are linked primarily to the concealment of conflicts and uncertainties, the lack of contextualization of exposure to risk and effects on health, as well as the difficulties of dialogue with the communities. The article also presents contributions and advances presented by environmental justice movements. The conclusion is that a constructivist, procedural and democratic perspective of confronting forms of knowledge and practices can guide the scientific production to benefit of environmental justice.

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É discutida a participação das comunidades em situações de injustiça ambiental na produção de conhecimentos, as quais são decorrentes de desigualdades e de discriminações na distribuição de riscos e benefícios do desenvolvimento econômico. São destacados os limites epistemológicos e políticos para a produção de conhecimentos e de alternativas que possibilitem o avanço na construção de sociedades mais justas e sustentáveis. A partir de uma visão ampliada de saúde são discutidos os limites das abordagens científicas em reconhecer a importância do saber local, seja para analisar riscos ambientais ou seus efeitos à saúde, incluindo os estudos epidemiológicos. Tais limites relacionam-se basicamente ao ocultamento de conflitos e incertezas, à falta de contextualização da exposição aos riscos e efeitos sobre a saúde, assim como às dificuldades de diálogo com as comunidades. O artigo apresenta ainda contribuições e avanços decorrentes de movimentos por justiça ambiental. Concluiu-se que uma perspectiva construtivista, processual e democrática de confrontação de saberes e práticas poderá orientar a produção científica em prol da justiça ambiental.

This article discusses the role of populations affected by environmental injustice situations in the production of knowledge about environmental health stemming from inequalities and discrimination in the distribution of risks and benefits of economic development. Special attention is given to the epistemological and political limits to producing knowledge and alternatives that enable advances in building more just and sustainable societies are highlighted. Based on a broader view of health, the limits of scientific approaches are called into question by acknowledging the importance of local knowledge are discussed, either to analyze environmental risks or their effects on health, including epidemiological studies. These limits are linked primarily to the concealment of conflicts and uncertainties, the lack of contextualization of exposure to risk and effects on health, as well as the difficulties of dialogue with the communities. The article also presents contributions and advances presented by environmental justice movements. The conclusion is that a constructivist, procedural and democratic perspective of confronting forms of knowledge and practices can guide the scientific production to benefit of environmental justice.

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