Outlook of contaminated site management in Brazil after CONAMA 420/09 resolution

Abstract

In industrialized countries, the discovery of the extent of the problem of soil and groundwater contamination led to the systematization of contaminated site management. After about five years of publication of CONAMA 420/09 Resolution, which established guidelines for contaminated site management in Brazil, the outlook of the country in relation to the theme was assessed in this study. Information was obtained from environmental agencies of each State through visits in their websites, telephone contacts and a questionnaire. The States of the southeast and south regions have made significant progress in management of soil contamination. On the other hand, in other regions of Brazil, contaminated site management is still in its infancy, and CONAMA 420/09 Resolution remains to be heeded. A qualitative assessment of the risk posed by the contamination of soil and groundwater in each State was performed, taking into account the level of management and the existing polluting potential. High level of risk was found in Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Espírito Santo, Distrito Federal, Ceará, Pernambuco and Bahia. The states of the northeast region undergoing rapid industrialization are in the most critical situation. It’s necessary to advance quickly in contaminated site management, lest unjustifiable damage to the environment and public health that have occurred in industrialized regions of the country in past decades will be repeated. The advance of management in Brazilian States can be achieved through the creation of specific State laws and evolution of the technical level of professionals working in this area.