Caatinga biomass burning in June bonfires also influences respiratory problems in the population of Santana do Ipanema-AL / Queima da biomassa da Caatinga em fogueiras juninas também influencia problemas respiratórios da população de Santana do Ipanema-AL

Abstract

The tradition of lighting bonfires at each residence on the occasion of Saint John's night makes it clear that the fire as a religious tradition takes place in the 21st century. The Caatinga, has suffered continuous devastation. Several characteristic species gradually disappear, causing changes in the biodiversity of our most characteristic biome. Campaigns for decreasing the number of lit fires are recurrent, it is suggested that only one per neighborhood, or haystack, should light up during the event. This phenomenon, sociocultural-religious, lighting bonfires, on the occasion of the June festivities, intensifies the problems of public health, in addition to the environmental problem arising from this tradition The main objective of this study was to verify the number of registered cases of patients with respiratory disease problems in the Public Health units of Santana do Ipanema, in the months before and after the June festivities. It was found that the cases of children and women with respiratory problems increased in the months following the festivities. And that the number of respiratory problems is higher in the urban area than in the rural area.

Keywords

• bonfires
• Public health
• Respiratory diseases
• Smoke