Mining Disaster in Maceió-AL: Assessing the Health Impact on the Victims

Abstract This study analyzed the health impact on residents of neighborhoods in Maceió-AL, who were affected by ground subsidence resulting from halite extraction by the mining company Braskem. A mixed-methods approach was employed, beginning with a cross-sectional study phase in which a validated scale (DASS-21) and a sociodemographic questionnaire were administered, followed by a phase of qualitative research. The findings revealed that the disaster significantly impacted the mental health of these individuals, with heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression surpassing normal thresholds. A correlation between mental disorders and the diagnosis of systemic arterial hypertension was observed, suggesting extended physical health implications from the disaster for the affected individuals, who are subjected to a perpetual state of uncertainty leading to mental disorders and the worsening of pre-existing chronic diseases. The study underscores the significance of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in risk identification and decision-making processes to mitigate the disaster’s impacts.