Mining Disaster in Maceió-AL: Assessing the Health Impact on the Victims

Abstract This study analyzed the health impact on residents of neighborhoods in Maceió-AL, who were affected by ground subsidence resulting from halite extraction by the mining company Braskem. A mixed-methods approach was employed, beginning with a cross-sectional study phase in which a validated s...

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Main Authors: Anacássia Fonseca de Lima, Diego Freitas Rodrigues, Janaína Accordi Junkes, Bibiana Toshie Onuki de Mendonça, Juliana Matos Ferreira Bernardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Ambiente e Sociedade (ANPPAS) 2025-05-01
Series:Ambiente & Sociedade
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1414-753X2025000100301&lng=en&tlng=en
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Summary:Abstract This study analyzed the health impact on residents of neighborhoods in Maceió-AL, who were affected by ground subsidence resulting from halite extraction by the mining company Braskem. A mixed-methods approach was employed, beginning with a cross-sectional study phase in which a validated scale (DASS-21) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were administered, followed by a phase of qualitative research. The findings revealed that the disaster significantly impacted the mental health of these individuals, with heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression surpassing normal thresholds. A correlation between mental disorders and the diagnosis of systemic arterial hypertension was observed, suggesting extended physical health implications from the disaster for the affected individuals, who are subjected to a perpetual state of uncertainty leading to mental disorders and the worsening of pre-existing chronic diseases. The study underscores the significance of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in risk identification and decision-making processes to mitigate the disaster’s impacts.
ISSN:1414-753X