Decarbonizing is caring worker health and pollution impacts at the Port of Santos

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the effects of air pollution on the health of port workers and to discuss the extent to which decarbonization can serve as a public health protection policy, based on the principles of collective health defense in the face of pollution impacts. To this end, a qualitative approach was adopted, developed through a case study and a structured literature review using indexed sources that assess the feasibility of the shore power system as a technological mitigation solution. Additionally, secondary data from environmental and occupational health agencies were examined. The results show that port workers are a highly vulnerable group to the effects of air pollution, with a significant prevalence of respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal diseases. Furthermore, environmental governance is found to be fragmented, characterized by sporadic and uncoordinated responses that inadequately address the human dimension of the energy transition. The study highlights that decarbonization technologies, such as shore power, have the potential to reduce emissions while simultaneously promoting collective health. It concludes that the decarbonization of the Port of Santos should be understood not only as a climate response but also as an urgent public health and social justice measure. The integration of environmental, health, and labor policies, focused on workers and exposed communities, is an essential condition for an energy transition that respects human rights and promotes territorial equity.