Atmospheric pollution and human exposure: the evolution of the science of epidemiology and its correlation with the legal framework

• Grant number: 07/08375-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2008
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Alberto Amador Pereira
• Grantee: Neide Regina Simões Olmo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present study has the aim of understanding and assessing the legal regulatory framework regarding protection against the harmful effects of atmospheric pollution, there by demonstrating the favorable correlation that is needed between the law and healthcare (epidemiology), by bringing into play the interface between environmental law and epidemiology and evaluating the differences in language that exist in these two disciplines and their consequences, so as to bring the languages together. We will conduct a systematic review of the existing environmental legislation, including the CONAMA standards relating to atmospheric pollution caused by mobile sources in the city of São Paulo and fixed sources in the industrial center of Cubatão. Our objective is to outline a conceptual profile regarding the nature, purposes and conclusions of epidemiological studies, which will also be examined by means of structured interviews with the persons responsible for the state environmental body (CETESB), municipal environmental body (Environmental Department of the municipality of Cubatão) and public attorneys, office, in order to find out whether there are any epidemiological studies in progress and what their objectives will be, in relation to drawing up public environmental policies. We hope to acquire concepts, opinions and instruments that are capable of adding to the existing national legal/social/epidemiological structure, with the aim of filling the gaps in assessments of pollution/health studies and the legal framework. The present study will make use of information contained in epidemiological studies and will demonstrate the excellence of their conclusions as the basis not only for constructing environmental impact reports, satisfying environmental licensing conditions, drawing up environmental legal regulations, grounding judicial claims and verifying possible contamination and its consequences for society, but also for revealing epidemiology and the law not as autonomous sciences but as integrated instruments to be used in the quest for an equilibrated environment. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLMO, Neide Regina Simões. Atmospheric pollution and human exposure: the evolution of epidemiological science and its correlation with the legal order. 2011. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) São Paulo.