Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used. Results: We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough. Conclusion: We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population’s respiratory problems.

Alterações respiratórias em crianças expostas à poeira de resíduos de mineração em Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brasil: Projeto Bruminha

“…Campos et al 23 , em investigação também realizada em Brumadinho com adultos, encontraram resultados similares aos observados neste artigo para a população infantil. A população que reside na área atingida diretamente pela lama do desastre (OR ajustada = 1,8; IC95%: 1,2; 2,5) e em áreas de mineração (OR ajustada = 1,6; IC95%: 1,1; 2,5) apresentou maiores chances de diagnóstico de asma.…”

Qualitative approach to the main symptoms and etiological factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): integrative study

“…É primordial destacar os sinais e sintomas que se iniciam de forma insidiosa, pioram com o exercício e podem aumentar de frequência e intensidade ao longo do tempo, seguidos de agravamento da doença. Acrescente-se ainda que existem problemas respiratórios persistentes, além de dispneia, cansaço, chiado no peito, sensação de desconforto ou aperto no peito, perda de peso, cianose, tosse e ocorrência de infecções respiratórias recorrentes, além de alterações sistêmicas e astenia muscular [9][10][11].…”