THE SPACES OF RISK TO HEALTH RESULTING FROM ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

ABSTRACT The air quality in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro (MRRJ) is compromised due to the presence of the second largest concentration of sources of air pollutants in the country, potentiated by the relief that interferes with the transport of atmospheric pollutants, forming areas with distinct concentrations. Despite this, MRRJ has received major projects such as the Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex (COMPERJ) and the Companhia Siderúrgica do Atlântico (CSA), as well as many other industries attracted by the new BR493 highway, the Metropolitan Arc. Thus, the objective of this work is to identify areas of risk to human health, that is, the areas that most concentrate air pollutants and that are inhabited by a more vulnerable population. The methodology uses the ArcGis software to create maps of the areas with difficulties in dispersing atmospheric pollutants and of the vulnerability of the population, so that when they are overlaid a map is created showing the spaces of risk to health. The results show that the risk areas are precisely in the municipalities of the MRRJ that have received the most new ventures, which may exacerbate the health risk of the population.