Gestão integrada de resíduos sólidos e riscos que estão expostos catadores de materiais recicláveis.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the environmental risks that recyclers are subjected to in organized municipalities of Paraíba in the performance of their labor activities. The qualitative and exploratory research carried out in four municipalities of Paraíba (João Pessoa, Campina Grande, Sumé and Cajazeiras), distributed in different mesoregions, occurred from December 2016 to December 2017. The research universe consisted of 61 collectors of materials recyclables organized in association. For the environmental risk assessment, it was necessary to carry out a sampling plan, using the probabilistic sampling technique of the stratified random type, assigning a sample of 62.3% (n = 41), with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 10.0%. For the assessment of the environmental risks, the different stages of identification of the situations of danger, points of possible effects and damages, estimation and significance of the risk were considered, and finally, establishment of preventive and emergency actions, contributing to the decision making in environmental risk management. Regarding physical risks, exposure to noise occurs at a daily average of 70.6 to 78.3 dB, values below the maximum permissible limit of ≥85 dB. It should be emphasized that these data do not support the materialization of physical risk due to the genesis of the work performed and the cumulative effect. It was verified that the frequency of solar radiation is very probable, with exposure ≥75% of the working day and moderate severity, considering the hourly load of 8h daily and its cumulative effects, the daily average temperature varied between 78,44° to91,04°F, being mostly pointed as the cause of intense discomfort and discomforts. Regarding the chemical risks, through the laboratory analysis, the presence of four types of heavy metals in the samples of the recyclable material collectors was found in values higher than those allowed by CONAMA Resolution n° 357/2005. ARENSA was the only association that presented the four elements of heavy metals in the samples collected in VMP, distributed in 53.8% of Cadmium, 61.5% of Lead, 15.6% of Chromium and 30.6% of Nickel. In this scenario, the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as the main conditioner is attributed, since the other associations (ASCAREJP, ACLMS and ASCAMARC) do not carry out this type of action. In relation to biological risks, 100.0% of the sample universe was often exposed to organic waste in different scenarios, since those who work in the controlled landfill and dump (ACLMS and ASCAMARC, respectively) are intensely subject not only to biological risks, but also to synergy between the different environmental risks in that environment. In view of the above, it is concluded that, due to the incipience in the management of solid urban waste in the municipalities studied, the environmental risks are intensified, corroborating the vulnerability scenario to which recyclable material collectors are inserted. In this sense, involving all segments of society in Environmental Education practices becomes essential to change this situation, corroborating the solid waste management in order to mitigate the environmental risks to which recyclable waste pickers are subjected, contributing to preventive actions and not just corrective and emergency solutions.