Biopolitical aspects of environmental surveillance

Abstract

This article analyzes, from a biopolitical perspective, some aspects of environmental theme in Health Surveillance, more specifically in the area of Environmental Surveillance. This analysis brings us notions of biopolitics and governmentality elaborated by Michel Foucault that serve as conceptual keys for the discussion. To produce the bibliographic analysis, we used the main technical documents and legislation of the Environmental Surveillance, Environmental Health Surveillance and Environmental Health Surveillance, three denominations used for the object of study during its development. In separating the documents, we compare and critique them, paying attention to explicit or implicit biopolitical aspects. The research is part of a doctoral thesis that built a genealogy of Environmental Surveillance. In the historical course of the formation of Environmental Surveillance, biopolitical aspects were outlined in the construction of health actions in the area. First, we brief ly describe the formation of the area; then we read some aspects of biopolitics that seem to be implicit in the health practices that have characterized Environmental Surveillance, highlighting a view of its implications for service practice.