Os riscos tecnológicos na sociedade de risco: possíveis danos da poluição eletromagnética à saúde humana

• Autor(a) principal: Alves, Mônica Oliveira
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFG
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/tede/handle/tede/13249
• topic: Radiação eletromagnética; Crescimento urbano; Exclusão social; Políticas públicas; Gestão do risco; Electromagnetic radiation; Urban growth; Social exclusion; Public policies; Risk management; CIENCIAS HUMANAS::GEOGRAFIA

The technological advancement experienced from the mid-20th century onwards has brought about a series of transformations in modern society. This applies both in terms of the benefits and conveniences offered by new technologies and the potential health risks, such as electromagnetic pollution, generated by products and infrastructures designed to meet the needs of urban populations. Globally, there is a growing public and regulatory concern about the impacts on human health due to exposure to risks generated by high-voltage power transmission lines in urban areas. In this context, there is a noticeable need to investigate this issue in Brazil, where cities, both medium and large, have experienced rapid and unplanned population growth, leading many people to reside near these infrastructures. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to analyze the issues related to the health risks generated by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage power transmission lines in the urban space of Montes Claros/MG. The chosen location for the investigation was the city of Montes Claros, located in the north of Minas Gerais, where various population groups were observed inhabiting areas considered exposed to electromagnetic pollution generated by the mentioned sources. The methodological procedures involved literature and documentary research, mapping of areas exposed to risk, and surveys with the general population, particularly those residing in one of the risk areas in the city of Montes Claros. The results obtained demonstrated that there are various population groups residing in risk areas in the city, often in locations where occupation occurred irregularly, such as in the servitude zones of high-voltage lines, accentuating social exclusion and socio-spatial segregation in Montes Claros. It was also noted that the population has limited awareness of the risks they are exposed to, hindering the search for strategies and actions by civil society to mitigate the problem. Given the identified issues, it is suggested that further studies be conducted, and precautionary measures be implemented regarding these risks. This should involve the participation of public and private entities, the scientific community, and the general public, promoting a democratic risk management approach in Montes Claros and other urban centers in Brazil.