Forest fires in Brazil: evaluation of chemical exposure and health risks among forest firefighters in the State of Pará

• Grant number: 23/04803-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
• Grantee: Elizeu Chiodi Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Air pollution is a public health problem and forest fires emit pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds, PAHs and others, which are responsible for adverse health effects and environmental and economic losses. Forest brigades, formal or informal, are exposed to chemical, physical, biological and organizational risks. Objectives: Evaluation of the occupational exposure and potential health impacts of forest firefighters engaged in fighting forest fires in Pará. Methods: Sampling of air in the breathing zone of the brigades for chemical analysis of pollutants and analysis of biomarkers of exposure through biological matrices of blood and urine. The recruitment of participants will occur through formal brigades hired by IBAMA (n=150), followed by informal voluntary brigades by the snowball technique, until a sample of 500 workers (250 exposed and 250 controls) is reached. Expected results: It is expected with this study to understand the chemical composition of the smoke coming from forest fires, as well as its effects on the health of the forest firefighters. Moreover, this study will be a pilot study that can be replicated in other states, so that it will bring data about the Brazilian reality, besides contributing to the protection of the forest firefighters' health. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEREIRA, ELIZEU CHIODI; PIAI, KAMILA DE ALMEIDA; SALLES, FERNANDA JUNQUEIRA; SILVA, AGNES SOARES DA; OLYMPIO, KELLY POLIDO KANESHIRO. A comprehensive analysis of children's blood lead levels in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last eight years: Progress and recommendations. Science of The Total Environment, v. 928, p. 15-pg., 2024-04-16. (17/25424-9, 18/18391-0, 23/04877-6, 23/04803-2)