The objective of this study was to estimate and to analyze the extent of the socioenvironmental adverse impacts during the moratorium period provided in the Minamata Convention for two mercury emission sources: the industrial sectors of chlor-alkalis and of fluorescent lamps. The application of the conceptual integrated model DPSIR, of the case study and calculations utilizing available sectorial data has found an estimated total emission of 18.6 thousand tons of mercury, which will impact several environmental compartments and life in them. The moratorium period granted by the Minamata Convention is not justified because alternative technologies already exist that replace both electrolytic cells and bulbs without producing mercury pollution. KEYWORDS

El contenido de esta obra es una contribución del autor al repositorio digital de la Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Sede Ecuador, por tanto el autor tiene exclusiva responsabilidad sobre el mismo y no necesariamente refleja los puntos de vista de la UASB. Este trabajo se almacena bajo una licencia de distribución no exclusiva otorgada por el autor al repositorio, y con licencia Creative Commons-Reconocimiento de créditos-No comercial-Sin obras derivadas 3.0 Ecuador

RESUMO A exposição humana às substâncias e aos compostos químicos nocivos é uma realidade global que torna cada vez mais necessária a promoção da saúde às pessoas e comunidades expostas em seus territórios. Considerando que a Saúde Socioambiental observa o movimento dos agentes nocivos na interface ambiente-saúde-sociedade, buscou-se analisar o conhecimento, a formação e a prática das equipes da Atenção Básica com relação à Saúde Socioambiental, com foco na redução do adoecimento devido à exposição e à intoxicação por esses agentes. Utilizou-se a escala do tipo Likert sem ponto central validada por um grupo de 11 especialistas e 3 profissionais da Atenção Básica. Garantiu-se a existência de mínima dispersão com a administração do estudo e o cálculo do coeficiente de correção linear de Pearson; e boa confiabilidade por meio do teste de coeficiente de confiabilidade de Spearman-Brown, em que foi usado o Split-Half Method. A pesquisa revelou haver situação de conforto na dimensão conhecimento, perigo na dimensão formação, e atenção na dimensão prática. A formação é a única dimensão que, no resultado geral, demanda mudanças imediatas. Ainda que as dimensões conhecimento e prática profissional se apresentem, respectivamente, em situação de manutenção e aprimoramento, essas não se originam de instituições formais de ensino.

Human exposure to harmful chemical substances and compounds is a global reality that makes health promotion increasingly necessary for the people and communities exposed in their area. Considering that socio-environmental health observes the movement of pollutants at the environment-health-society interface, an attempt was made to analyze the knowledge, training, and practice of primary care teams in relation to socio-environmental health, focusing on the reduction of diseases due to exposure and poisoning by these substances. A Likert-type scale without a central point was used, validated by a group of 11 specialists and 3 primary care professionals. Minimal dispersion was ensured by the application of the survey and the calculation of Pearson’s linear correction coefficient and reliability was assessed by the Spearman-Brown’s reliability coefficient, using the split-half method. The survey showed that the knowledge dimension was generally classified as in a safe situation, the training dimension as in a danger situation, and the practical dimension as in an alert situation. Training was the only dimension that required immediate change in the overall results. Although the knowledge and professional practice dimensions were in a situation of maintenance and improvement, respectively, they are not acquired in formal educational institutions.

The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) in Brazil is not a simple waste disposal policy (garbage), but a complex legal apparatus that encompasses strategic principles with a view to Sustainable Development. Therefore, the disposal of waste must meet the three important and inseparable pillars, the environmental, the social and the economic, strictly observing the Precautionary Principle, which requires an analysis that aggregates the expanded view of the most varied sectors of knowledge, without which the objectives of this policy (PNRS) will not be achieved. In this sense, the present study, which uses bibliographic and documentary sources for the analytical basis and the authors' experience in the areas of social and environmental law and in the inspection and operation of incinerators, critically seeks to present the incurable bottlenecks of the incineration of urban solid waste with or without energy recovery (wasteto-energy), considering the current state of technology and knowledge, and pointing out sustainable paths for its destination and treatment.