Socio-environmental vulnerability of artisanal fishers during the 2019 oil spill: human exposure and threats to work and health in the Northeastern Region of Brazil

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Abstract
Introduction Artisanal fishers were directly affected by the oil spill that occurred off the Brazilian coast in 2019. Objective To identify the socio-environmental vulnerabilities among artisanal fishers in the states of Bahia and Sergipe, resulting from the oil spill, considering the main direct exposure pathways to oil and the lifestyle, health, and working conditions of this population. Methods An epidemiological study conducted between 2021 and 2022 with artisanal fishers residing in Environmental Protection Areas in two states of the Northeastern region in Brazil. Results Of the 377 fishers interviewed, 58.1% were female, 73.7% reported exposure to oil through inhalation, 51.7% through dermal contact, and 8.2% through the gastric route. Among the participants, 81.7% reported depending exclusively on fishing, 59.7% worked 5-7 days/week, and 56.0% did not stop consuming fishing products. Conclusion The high prevalence of inhalation and dermal exposures, combined with the continued consumption of seafood and working in the contaminated environment, revealed significant harms to the health, food security, and income of these communities in the context of a socio-environmental disaster. This highlights the importance of developing strategies to mitigate the damage to these populations.
Funding Information
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (BOL0628/2022)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (AUXPE 29/2020)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (440784/2020-4)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (TED 49/2021)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (465634/2014-1)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (BOL0628/2022)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (AUXPE 29/2020)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (440784/2020-4)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (TED 49/2021)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (465634/2014-1)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (BOL0628/2022)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (AUXPE 29/2020)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (440784/2020-4)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (TED 49/2021)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (465634/2014-1)
  • Ministério da Saúde (BOL0628/2022)
  • Ministério da Saúde (AUXPE 29/2020)
  • Ministério da Saúde (440784/2020-4)
  • Ministério da Saúde (TED 49/2021)
  • Ministério da Saúde (465634/2014-1)
  • INCT Ambtropic – Fase II (BOL0628/2022)
  • INCT Ambtropic – Fase II (AUXPE 29/2020)
  • INCT Ambtropic – Fase II (440784/2020-4)
  • INCT Ambtropic – Fase II (TED 49/2021)
  • INCT Ambtropic – Fase II (465634/2014-1)

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