Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: correlation study of atmospheric emissions and impacts on the cities of Duque de Caxias (RJ) and Petrópolis (RJ) between 2013 and 2017

Abstract

Duque de Caxias was one of the cities that had its growth associated with changes in the spatialization of industries in the Metropolitan Region and in it, since the 60's, is the Duque de Caxias Refinery (REDUC), one of the 3 main polluting sources in the state. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the impact of REDUC emissions on the health of the population of Duque de Caxias and Petrópolis. Data from 2013 to 2017 were worked on atmospheric emissions from the air quality monitoring station near the refinery, Pico do Couto weather data and hospitalization for respiratory system diseases. To achieve the goal, statistical correlations were made through the Spearman test; On the other hand, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) helped to understand data variability and interactions. The results pointed to the need for greater concern with the emission of inhalable particles. The nonparametric test indicated a higher correlation between inhalable particles and hospitalization cases. The PCA result also suggests that in Petrópolis, Inhalable Particles and NO2, emitted by REDUC, may have an influence on hospitalizations.