A/HRC/45/12/Add.4
Toxicological Studies, as well as the need for prior authorization from the Renova
Foundation, together with CT-Saúde, for their dissemination. The only prohibition for
disclosing the data was and still is for the contracted company.
73.
Therefore, it should be clarified that no ownership clause allows the Renova
Foundation to omit the studies' data. What is forbidden is that the company hired for
its preparation makes its disclosure without an evaluation by relevant bodies.
74
It should also be stressed that all remedial actions must be approved by the CIF, which
is governed by the principles of legality, impersonality, and morality, with no interest in
benefiting or harming contracted consultants.
Protecting the most vulnerable
75.
The Rapporteur mentions Barra Longa deposition of waste in an area belonging to a
peripheral neighborhood with a predominantly Afro-descendant population as a possible case
of racial discrimination:
“Low-income families, including Afro-Brazilians, suffered disproportionate exposure
to dust and heavy metals in mud heaped in Barra Longa following the Mariana dam
collapse by agents of the companies and the Renova foundation.” (page 12)
76.
In this regard, it is important to mention that the CIF applied several sanctions to the
Renova Foundation regarding the tailings management program present in the TTAC. It
should also be noted that decisions on the location and disposal of waste follow
environmental legislation, and the CIF does not endorse any discrimination, guiding itself by
technical assessments.
77.
About the protection of the vulnerable, it is recalled that the General Coordination for
Occupational Health (CGSAT) of the Ministry of Health participated effectively in the
technical meetings held during the visit of the Rapporteur, and informed him that it has been
working continuously to promote the integral health of all workers, especially those most
vulnerable, such as those exposed to chemical substances.
78.
For this purpose, CGSAT has been strengthening the National Network of
Comprehensive Attention to Occupational Health (Renast), structuring existing programs
and developing new actions to promote health, prevent and monitor risk factors and injuries,
to intervene in determinants of exposure to chemicals that interfere with human health.
79.
Among the initiatives of CGSAT, the CAREX Brasil Project stands out, an
international information system for elaborating an occupational exposure matrix whose
objective is to estimate the proportion of workers exposed to carcinogens and support
intervention actions in the territories.
80.
The project is undergoing review and adjustments before the inclusion of new agents.
However, its preliminary version demonstrated consistency, when analyzing the exposures
to the pesticides Clorotalonil, Malation, and Glyphosate, to Asbestos, to Silica, to Benzene,
and ionizing radiation.
81.
Exposure to pesticides is an essential topic in the public health area, and a priority to
CGSAT, which promotes various policies and programs aimed at agricultural workers, such
as the National Policy for Comprehensive Health of the Rural and Forest Populations
(PNSIPCF) and the Health Surveillance Program for Populations Exposed to Pesticides
(VSPEA).
82.
Furthermore, a registering and monitoring system for workers exposed to Asbestos in
Brazil is in preparation, with the possibility of monitoring data in real-time. The platform is
already at a very advanced stage and has the participation of several specialists and the
Federal Public Prosecutor Office's support.
83.
Regarding the rupture of mining tailings dams, CGSAT participates, together with the
General Coordination of Environmental Health Surveillance (CGVAM), in several initiatives
aimed at the care of the affected populations, intending to ensure the monitoring of the health
12
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents