Evaluation of sanitary conditions and the impact on the quality of environmental health in the third largest slum in Brazil

Abstract

A critical and questioning thought about the city of Rio de Janeiro and its relationship with the environment, makes some changes more visible, such as the progress of environmental degradation, especially in water bodies strongly affected by uncontrolled urban growth, without infrastructure and planning, mainly in subnormal agglomerations or popularly called slums. Therefore, it is urgent to assess the sanitary and environmental conditions of the slums, as well as the population's perception of their living conditions. This study aimed to assess, through online form and public data, the population perception of sanitary conditions in the third largest slum in Brazil, called Rio das Pedras. This was chosen due to its characteristics common to Brazilian slums, such as flat community, with high population density, urban residences in subnormal conditions and located on the margins of a water body. Living conditions reveal that 64% of the population has lived there for fifteen years or more. In 19% of households, there is only one ventilation window and in 98% at least an adequate bathroom. However, 42% admit to discharging domestic sewage directly into the nearest river, and 12% generally discard medicines in bathrooms (sink and toilet). The lack of regular collection of municipal solid waste (MSW) and the frequent floods concern 75% of the population, where 57% have already fallen ill due to direct contact with sewage and MSW after floods. New methods of obtaining and evaluating data, considering the perception of the local population about their deficiencies and needs, should be considered as an alternative path by public managers. This being a path for the sustainable urban planning, ensuring infrastructure, sanitary conditions, well-being and consequently, health for the population and the environment. In short, contributing to the mitigation of environmental risks and with specific targets of the new Brazilian health regulations agenda.