Full text
| |
| Author(s): |
Neide Regina Simões Olmo
Total Authors: 1
|
| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) |
| Defense date: | 2011-02-23 |
| Examining board members: |
Luiz Alberto Amador Pereira;
Alfésio Luis Ferreira Braga;
Denise Martin Coviello;
Lourdes Conceição Martins;
Paulo Hilario Nascimento Saldiva
|
| Advisor: | Luiz Alberto Amador Pereira |
| Abstract | |
INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no correlation between the fields of healthcare and law in Brazil regarding the adoption of public policies aimed at preventing/avoiding, remedying or minimizing the adverse effects of atmospheric pollution on human health. OBJECTIVE: The present study had the objective of demonstrating the increasingly eminent need for interaction between epidemiology and law, thereby revealing that these fields are not autonomous sciences but integrated instruments for use in seeking efficient public policies relating to atmospheric pollution caused by automotive vehicles. METHODS: We built up a systematic review of epidemiological studies relating to the effects of atmospheric pollution on human health, using the PubMed database and well-defined descriptors. The search results then underwent selection by three independent researchers with experience of this topic. A review of the national environmental legislation relating to atmospheric pollution was made, using official databases, including the CONAMA (National Environment Council) standards, and international documents relating to atmospheric emission standards were investigated. We conducted structured interviews with public policymakers in the environmental field, with a view to analyzing the opinions of representatives of this distinct segment of society regarding the matter in question. RESULT: Out of 2,530 studies initially selected, only 32 Brazilian and 112 foreign studies were considered to fit within the inclusion criteria established. Among the Brazilian studies, 27 showed that there were adverse effects on human health even at concentrations lower than what is legally permitted, and 18 discussed public policies in some manner. Among the foreign studies, 78 showed that there were adverse effects on human health even at concentrations lower than what is legally permitted, and 13 discussed public policies. The interviewees unanimously stated that there was a need to update the current emission standards and comply with the emissions timetable, and that there was inadequate understanding between the field of healthcare and the adoption of public policy measures. They showed that they were aware of the scientific research that had been conducted and were concerned about the data presented. CONCLUSION: We thus demonstrated that: there is a need for law and epidemiology to combine in order to draw up public guidelines; a need for the populations awareness to be raised, and for emission standards to be changed and the effective participation from public bodies within the policymaking and healthcare sectors. Identification, recognition and acceptance of the complexity and the research data are the cornerstones of the interface between the domains of science, society and politics (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 07/08375-2 - Atmospheric pollution and human exposure: the evolution of the science of epidemiology and its correlation with the legal framework |
| Grantee: | Neide Regina Simões Olmo |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |