HEALTH RISKS PERCEPTION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX IN BRAZIL

Abstract This paper discusses the health risks perception in the surrounding from the construction areas of a Petrochemical Complex. The study aimed to determine the factors that lead to the health risks perception of the process of construction of the Petrochemical Complex of Rio de Janeiro. Cross-sectional study conducted with 240 individuals in Brazil’s southeast region. It was found that female adult individuals with a high level of schooling and residing in the surrounding of the Complex are capable of perceiving better the health risks and few benefits resulting from the process of construction of this development than the group of residents in the area that is farther from the industrial zone. These results show the need of contextualized risks communication actions are applied to address this critical knowledge gap of the studied communities.