Abstract
The population of Paracatu is at risk of Arsenic (As) exposure associated with long-term exploration of the largest open pit gold mine in Brazil. As part of the interdisciplinary research “The Paracatu project: Arsenic environmental contamination and human health risks assessment in Paracatu-MG”, carried out between 2011 and 2013, we used data disaggregated by gender to identify the sources of As-related information being accessed by inhabitants of Paracatu and to examine if access to these sources was correlated to awareness of As health effects and adoption of behaviors to reduce risk of As exposure. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were carried out with 460 participants (294 women and 166 men) to collect data on respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, use of mass media and social communication networks as sources of information on As issues, the trustworthiness of these information sources, awareness of As health effects, and adoption of behaviors to reduce As exposure. For both men and women, interpersonal communication was used and trusted more frequently than mass media to obtain information on As. Discussion of As issues occurred preferentially among individuals of the same gender and was associated with awareness of As health risks. There are marked differences in variables correlated with the adoption of behaviors to reduce the risk of As exposure between men and women. Discussing As issues with women was associated with adoption of risk-reduction practices for both genders. In contrast, men who discuss As issues with other men were less likely to adopt As exposure prevention behaviors. Finally, adoption was associated with awareness of As health effects for women, but this was not the case for men. Policy implications for decision makers, practitioners and researchers are discussed, based on concrete examples of how gender-specific approaches can effectively guide the formulation and implementation of health promotion campaigns and programs.
Highlights
The largest open pit gold mine in Brazil, the “Morro do Ouro”, is located in Paracatu, Minas Gerais State, a city of approximately 85,000 inhabitants
Study population In September 2013, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in two neighborhoods of Paracatu (Amoreira and Paracatuzinho) that are assisted by the Health Familys Assistance Program (HFAP)
To identify the sample population, the HFAP provided a list of individuals over 40 years old and that had been residing in Paracatu for at least 20 years, distributed among 12 subdivisions, 6 in each neighborhood
Summary
The largest open pit gold mine in Brazil, the “Morro do Ouro”, is located in Paracatu, Minas Gerais State, a city of approximately 85,000 inhabitants. Industrial gold mining activities began in 1976–77 and are estimated to continue until 2032. Mining operations are expected to process an average of up to 55 million tons per annum (Mtpa) from 2014 to 2018. While the gold ore deposits present low Au grade from 0.4 to 0.6 g Au t-1, there are very high Arsenic (As) levels, over 4,000 ppm [1]. Gold mining activities contribute to the release of As in the environment, putting the population at potential risk of exposure [2]. The long-term and large-scale mining activities at the “Morro do Ouro” are increasingly a concern for local authorities and the city population
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