Contaminação por chumbo na região do projeto da UHE Tijuco Alto: estudo de caso

Abstract

This paper will address the lead contamination in the Ribeira Valley, between the extreme northeastern state of Paraná and southeastern São Paulo State, in particular in the region expected for the construction of the hydroelectric plant (HPP) Tijuco Alto, located the Ribeira River Iguape. In its 470 km long, live on its banks smallholder farmers, indigenous and maroon communities. Lead raises major concerns in public health in view of the serious risks that may cause their exposure, since their use is widespread, beyond the environmental issues arising from this use. The production chain of lead and its artifacts is a recurring theme after the event of major accidents. The risks of diseases caused to workers by lead exposure, primarily through contact with water, and in particular the impact of contamination by this metal in the region involved with HPP Tijuco Alto, are preventable through implementation of control measures both of engineering and science that can mitigate lead contamination. The area where the construction of HPP Tijuco Alto in Ribeira River is expected was defined as an object of study for this work aiming to carry out a control study of lead exposure through items from NR 7 and NR 15. Detailing the history of HPP Tijuco Alto project outlines a comprehensive idea about the overall process and how the use of waters of the Ribeira River occurred. For the study, a brief and objective questionnaire was developed to understand the perception of the fishery on the quality of working conditions for the same worker. It was observed that the perception of worker refers the reality of the environment and in many cases the lack of significant technical vision attenuates the critical scenario.