Mudanças nos hábitos alimentares e uso de água na Ilha dos Araújos, em Governador Valadares, M.G, após contaminação do rio Doce com rejeitos de mineração

Abstract

The disaster caused by the rupture of the Fundão tailings dams, in 2015, poured mining rejects down the Rio Doce river, contaminating water and foods. This study aimed to evaluate changes in dietary habits and water use in Araújos Island, Governador Valadares, after contamination of the Rio Doce. Data were collected in residences through interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. One year after disaster, 73% of habitants changed their water use habits, mainly for cooking (53%), drinking (38%) and washing food (37%) purposes. Public supply water (PSW) was partially replaced for other sources of water (mainly by mineral and artesian well waters), for all domestic purposes. Additionally, 40% stopped to eat freshwater fish, 28% and 27% reduced the consumption of fruit and vegetables, respectively, while 40% reduced the eating of food produced outside home. Most of them (96%) perceived an addition risk to food production after disaster, mainly from chemical (83%) and biological (29%) origins. Financial (69%) and psychological (55%) damages as well as health risk (39%) were mentioned most frequently. The majority considered the quality of PSW as bad (30%) or reasonable (52%) and 77% said PWS may cause some type of damage in foods, mainly related to food quality reduction (53%). Part (59%) did not believe in information regarding portability of PSW. It can be concluded that behavior changes is probably associated to the negative perception related to the quality and safety of food and water, concern about health risks as well as lack of reliability in information disclosed.