Soil and water contamination in Estarreja

which effects on community life?

Abstract

Contamination caused by large industrial complexes affects the economic and social life of people living in these areas. The vulnerability of populations is revealed at the level of water quality and cultivable soils; changes in the natural environment, cultural practices and economic activities; lifestyles and health effects. In Estarreja, although contamination indicators are public, no official recommendation has been communicated to the inhabitants. Such situation leads the inhabitants themselves to assess their exposure and decide to opt for protective behaviours. In this article, we analyze precisely how people and communities react and adapt to contamination in Estarreja. The main questions identified are: How does the population identify and experience risk? Which social practices (such as leisure and consumption) are affected? And, how is health experienced in this territory? The results are relevant for the knowledge of the daily life of people in contaminated areas to better respond to ignorance and uncertainty. They are also useful for the reflection of public policies in terms of information for safe uses of the territory and the way information should be conveyed to the local community, making it easier for people to adapt their behaviour.